From Recommendations to Results: Is administrative capacity becoming the missing link in the European Semester?

The Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is finalising an opinion on the 2026 European Semester – Spring Package. The main priorities in this opinion are sustainable competitiveness, efficient implementation and delivery of reforms, administrative capacity, better governance, a stronger single market dimension within the Semester, investment, productivity and growth. 

The European Semester increasingly relies on Member States’ ability to implement reforms and investments. Delays often stem not from a lack of funding or policy guidance, but from administrative bottlenecks, limited technical expertise, excessive red tape, complex procedures or insufficient coordination across different levels of national government. 

The thematic debate will therefore examine how the European Semester could better assess and monitor administrative capacity at national level, as well as whether administrative reform should become a more prominent element in the country-specific recommendations. It will also examine what lessons can be drawn from the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans, whether instruments such as the Technical Support Instrument could play a stronger role in supporting reforms. Finally, the aim will be to understand how these instruments can contribute, in the long term, to strengthening the capacity building of national administrations and stakeholders.

The ECO section will bring together representatives from the EU institutions and experts for a discussion on these topics, providing an opportunity to exchange views and share experiences. 

The event will take place on 1 October 2026, starting at 10.30 a.m., and will be web-streamed. No registration is needed and participation is free of charge.

Follow the event on 𝕏: @EESC_ECO #EUSemester

Ask your questions to the panellists via Sli.do using the event code: #EUSemester