The creation of a European administrative space to raise the quality of services in the public sector was the main topic on the agenda of the meeting of the Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 12 February. Europe's digital transformation and the challenges of achieving the Green Deal objectives at local and regional level were also discussed with representatives of the European Commission.
Enhancing the European administrative space
ECON members held a first exchange of views on “Enhancing the European Public Space (ComPAct)" a set of strategic actions proposed by the European Commission to help public administrations in EU Member States to become more resilient, innovative and skilled. The proposals, which the Commission presented in October 2023, also aim to strengthen cooperation between public administrations.
Tom Jungen (LU/PES), Mayor of the Municipality of Roeser, is drafting the CoR's opinion on the dossier. The opinion is scheduled for adoption in June.
CoR members stressed that local and regional authorities implement directly about one-third of the EU budget and are involved in the implementation of around 70% of EU legislation, making them crucial to sound and sustainable management of EU funds and policies. They warned, however, that the COVID pandemic, the energy crisis and threats such as cyber-attacks are both highlighting weaknesses in administrative capacity and increasing disparities in regional governments and their public administrations. Secure online services, more attractive job opportunities, and training for public servants are vital to keep hospitals, schools, and transport running smoothly, members said, particularly in poorer regions of the EU.
Public administration manages the public sector, which is responsible for 51.5% of EU GDP, employs around 21% of the EU workforce and accounts for 19.8% of EU total gross value added.
Towards a Green Deal 2.0
Members of the ECON commission emphasised that the next set of European Commissioners must continue to work towards achieving the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve that goal, though, they warned that social and economic needs will need to be better addressed than they have been in the set of climate-related policy initiatives adopted by the European Union in 2019, the European Green Deal. Better coordination of Green Deal measures with local and regional authorities would help to ensure that no region and no one is left behind, they said.
The debate provided members with an opportunity to assess the social and economic impact of the Green Deal ahead of European Parliament elections in June, which will be followed by the selection of new European Commissioners.
ECON members also underlined that the EU's transition to a greener and more digital economy is leaving some regions at a competitive disadvantage. They called for the EU's Just Transition Fund to be adapted to provide support for regions and cities, especially after the expiry of the Recovery and Resilience Facility created by the EU to help the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State of the Digital Decade
In a debate on the European Commission's first annual State of the Digital Decade report, ECON members stressed that digital divides between regions and cities and between different groups of citizens are increasing, putting equitable access to digital technologies and cyber security at risk. The EU's digital transition will require new infrastructure, very fast connectivity and a skilled workforce, but local and regional politicians warned that many of their administrations are struggling to secure the financial, technical and administrative resources needed.
Also during the meeting:
ECON members appointed rapporteurs for three opinions:
- Alberto Cirio (IT/EPP), President of the Piedmont Region, on the opinion on “Challenges and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector: defining the role of R&L Authorities"
- Ilpo Heltimoinen (FI/ECR), Lappeenranta City Councilor, as rapporteur on “Shock-proofing European regions: Strengthening local and regional economic resilience in the strategic evolution of the Single Market"
- Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), Mayor of Coulaines, as rapporteur on the opinion on the “Mid-term evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility".
Rewatch the meeting here.