The need for open and transparent budgetary processes has never been more critical. The multiannual financial framework (MFF) emerges as a crucial tool for aligning financial resources with the Union's long-term priorities. The EESC has highlighted significant gaps in the current MFF, including its limited scope in addressing contemporary challenges such as Europe's aging population and strained budgets due to inflation.
The EESC therefore explores a paradigm shift towards Open budgets in the EU –a framework that encompasses not only participatory budgeting but a broader spectrum of fiscal transparency and citizen engagement across all stages of the budget cycle. This approach is aimed at enhancing the responsiveness and effectiveness of EU budget allocations, thereby fostering a more resilient, inclusive, and democratic European economy.
Download — EGSZB-vélemény: Enhancing Fiscal Transparency through Participatory Budgeting in the EU
In this opinion, the EESC calls for a general European strategy for geothermal energy development in order to harness the potential of geothermal energy. Geothermal energy production has extremely low greenhouse gas emissions, thus reducing the continent’s dependence on fossil fuels and facilitating its decarbonisation, thereby making a significant contribution to achieving the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goals.
Download — EGSZB-vélemény: The potential of geothermal energy for the green transition
The opinion looks into the opportunities and risks from new technologies for public services, which are taken to mean the activities or services that public authorities of the Member States at national, regional or local level classify as being of general interest.
The EESC considers that AI can make public services more efficient and more accessible, in particular to the most vulnerable people in society. It can also reduce workload for public services' workers and it should be borne in mind that these services are provided by human beings, at their own pace, in their own time and with their own requirements.
Download — EGSZB-vélemény: Fostering opportunities and managing risks from new technologies for public services, the organisation of work and more equal and inclusive societies
The proposed opinion aims to have a constructive influence on policymakers, especially on EU level, providing an objective analysis of the issues at hand and presenting concrete suggestions that may inform legislative action. It will provide insights and recommendations for the development of an effective waste treatment, resource management and circularity measures across the Union in a way that reflects the views and concerns of the social partners, industry and CSOs on this issue.
Download — EGSZB-vélemény: From waste plants to resource plants
In this opinion, the EESC stresses that the alignment of the circular economy and bioeconomy is crucial for sustainable development and calls for a strong, interlinked strategy to foster innovation, support rural jobs, and ensure the EU stays competitive within planetary boundaries.
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In this opinion, the EESC is calling for a European flagship initiative for health, based on the principles of universality, quality, accessibility, solidarity and inclusivity. The strategic pillars of this roadmap are outlined, and a more institutionalised involvement of civil society in defining, evaluating and monitoring health priorities is asked.
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The European Union’s ambitious climate targets have significantly impacted resource and energy-intensive industries (REIIs), which are crucial to the EU economy. These industries face rising costs due to high energy prices, carbon pricing, and regulatory changes. This opinion reflects on the optimal solutions to maintain the competitiveness of EU industry in face if the rising energy prices and the costs required to support the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The EU Youth Test at the EESC was applied to this opinion.
Elfogadott vélemények on 18/09/2024 - Bureau decision date: 18/01/2024
Consumers are increasingly mindful of environmental and social issues when buying products, emphasizing the importance of information on product origin and distribution in their decision-making process.
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The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) was asked by the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU to produce an exploratory opinion on paving the way to EU accession for the Western Balkans, underlining the benefits of the future enlargement to the region from a holistic point of view.
Download — EGSZB-vélemény: Paving the way to EU accession for the Western Balkans
