CoR: More partnership needed to make Europe 2020 succeed
EU cities and regions are putting a big effort in trying to do their part in realizing the Europe 2020 strategy. The recently published Monitoring Report on Europe 2020 by the Committee of Regions (CoR) provides plenty examples. There are also points for improvement though, especially in the area of cooperation and partnership between layers of government.
Cities and regions are enthusiastic, but aren’t involved enough
One of the main points of the Monitoring Report is that Europe 2020 is hindered by a so called “partnership gap”. Though some progress is made, in the implementation of National Reform Programmes, regional authorities were merely consulted, instead of involved as partners. The Europe 2020 Flagship Initiatives are seen as potentially helpful and are increasingly appreciated by EU cities and regions.
Pacts and contracts are needed to implement Europe 2020
Other points of the Report also stress the importance of cooperation. It calls for example for a broad adoption of multilevel governance approaches, such as Territorial Pacts, in order to increase ownership of Europe 2020 by citizens. It also emphasizes the need for a Partnership Contract between the Commission and individual Member States, to tailor the use of EU policy instruments to the Europe 2020 objectives.
Annual report to survey execution Europe 2020
The document is the result of the CoR’s commitment to present
annual reports of how the implementation of Europe 2020 is seen by
local and regional authorities. It also examines whether the
principle of partnership between all layers of government is being
adopted in the design and implementation of the strategy. It serves
as preparation for the 2012 European Semester and, in particular,
the European Commission's Annual Growth Survey for 2012.
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