Enrico Letta

Interesting read on EU competitiveness, one of the dominating topics in Brussels and beyond !

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Very glad to have contributed to this latest TEPSA - Trans European Policy Studies Association EUCO debrief, alonside other seven experts, to provide my throughts on "the future of EU financing". You can read the contributions of all eight experts here:  https://lnkd.in/eYS5aAUs My contribution in a nutshell: - -No more 'ad hoc' borrowing capacities to address new spending needs, let´s fix the common budget.  At the minimum, a reformed EU budget should integrate a simpler procedure to set up temporary off-budget instruments in case of emergencies. In addition, we should seriously envisage the option of integrating debt-finance into the EU budget. This would give the European Parliament full oversight over the use of all EU funds and allow the Union to borrow on a quasi-permanent basis, lowering the costs of servicing EU debt. -We need to get serious on Own Resources. Whether inside or outside the EU budget, we cannot endlessly create new EU debt without equipping the Union with sufficient revenue-raising capacity -Today´s challenges require a new Delors-like budgetary deal. Calls to increase the level of EU-level spending will not succeed if not accompanied by changes in the revenue side and some commitment to increase the effectiveness and impact of EU spending. The Delors I budget package back in 1988 was a success because it linked the doubling of EU spending to changes in the revenue side (the creation of the GNI contribution) and other institutional and procedural reforms (the creation of long-term budgetary frameworks and the introduction of discipline rules for CAP spending).

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Looking forward to joining the symposium "CTRL + Power: The (Geo)politics of Digital #Authoritarianism" in Turin on May 6-7, organized by T.wai - Torino World Affairs Institute and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) IDEAS, in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Torino and with the support of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo. The symposium will discuss some of the findings of the project supported in the framework of the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo "Geopolitics and Technology" call for proposals and will foster a reflection on the possible options available to policymakers for mitigating or countering the impact of digitally empowered forms of authoritarian influence. #Digital #governance has emerged as a potential mechanism for entrenching authoritarian rule. On the domestic front, a regime may limit or restrict access to the #Internet and its associated platforms, use them as a means of citizen #surveillance and #data gathering, or employ it as a medium to promote certain narratives and thus alter the perceptions of its citizens. Such #information manipulation techniques could also be deployed beyond national borders as part of #disinformation campaigns, with the aim of shaping (#global) public opinions, influencing political events and processes elsewhere, or even destabilizing democratic regimes and their associated multilateral groupings. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dKKaN-7p #internationalaffairs #geopolitics #digital #democracy #resilience Stefano Ruzza Michelangelo Conoscenti

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Thrilled to be a #speaker again in the 2024 RSA (Regional Studies Association) Annual #Conference, June 11–14, 2024 Università degli Studi di Firenze, #Italy, with a #paper on 'Alternative Futures for #EU #CohesionPolicy' (Special Session SS43. What Future for Cohesion Policy? II - Theoretical Underpinnings) #RSA24 Euro. Reg. Sci. Ass. (ERSA)EURADA - European Association of Development Agencies #EU #regions #innovation

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"The reshaping of the freedom of expression in the digital environment in light of the role of social networks", with Marco Bassini An attempt to analyse what remains and what is changing in the free speech constellation in the light of the (new) role of social network as new digital agorà Thanks to Andrej Savin and Jan Trzaskowski to have hosted the chapter in their terrific new edition "Introduction to EU Internet Law" here the link to the book https://lnkd.in/gFirbyDH

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Many thanks to Maive Rute, DG GROW Deputy Director General, for the interesting meeting. Indeed, we explored the three dimensions of sustainability and the active role DG GROW is playing on all three. We also talked about ESPR and DPP with Michele Galatola - and the role that the new upcoming legislation could play in helping consumers to make environmental friendly choices. We also mentioned with Alexis Basiaux the relevant role of standards in ensuring a cyber secure world.

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It is heartening to see strong support for ambitious #ClimateAction and keeping the #ParisAgreement’s 1.5C target alive in the official Declaration from #G7 #climate, #energy & #environment Ministers. This includes, among others, phasing out of #FossilFuels with the first step being a rapid phase-out of ‘unabated #coal power generation’, clear recognition of the nexus between #ClimateChange, #biodiversity loss and pollution and the need to act urgently to address this triple threat, accelerating industrial #decarbonisation, and the creation of a G7 action hub to drive #adaptation initiatives. While ambition and political commitments are important, implementation is what will truly enable the transformative change required to make the low carbon transition, stem (and hopefully reverse) biodiversity loss and guarantee a more sustainable future. #SustainableDevelopment https://lnkd.in/gUVvvcts

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I hope that those of you interested in innovation, regional development, smart specialisation and the performance of different public administrations will find this article, authored with Fabrizio Guzzo and Carlo Gianelle, of interest! It has just been published in "Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research". We examine how governments from different administrative traditions reformed their innovation policy governance following the adoption of the Smart Specialisation approach of EU cohesion policy for the 2014–2020 funding period. Based on four case studies from Germany, Italy, Poland and Slovenia, we find that different administrative settings played a role in the uptake of intended governance reforms and that the S3 conditionality was not sufficient to guarantee substantial change in the absence of continuing political and bureaucratic support. Our analysis supports the idea that governments and administrations which were already better aligned with the Smart Specialisation logic may have had limited incentive to update their governance structures, while those less aligned with it appeared sincerely motivated to overhaul existing arrangements, yet without proving capable of sustaining the desired changes. Our conclusions lead us to formulate both policy and theoretical recommendations about the use of ex ante conditionalities. The article has been published OPEN ACCESS, so feel free to dive in! https://lnkd.in/eRfrgnRZ

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Bridging Human Rights & SDGs: A Synthesis of Systems and Data Collection to Bring Local and Regional Governments into the Equation ✨🌍 Municipalities localize every day human rights ! Such as the photo exposition "Bolognesi. Dal Primo Giorno" at the Bologne central place. Thanks to University of Bologna, Prof Ludovica Chiussi Curzi and Geneva Human Rights Platform Dr. Domenico Zipoli a group of experts, including diplomats and local and regional governements discussed how to include LRGs in international HR system and discorse as their participation is still sporadic and rare. LRGs are more present in SDGs -related processes. HR international system often involve detailed diplomatic talks on procedures and resolutions, while SDG conversations - already familiar to LRGs,- typically focus on practical community impacts, like free health services and community support activities. Both aim to promote human rights but operate at different levels and require a shared language to enhance mutual understanding, experts concluded. 🤝 📊 Data Collection: Diverse Approaches 📊 HR data collection is rathar regulated,channeled through governmental or expert bodies. Conversely, SDGs offer a broader, more inclusive approach, encouraging local and regional reporting through tools like Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), making it more accessible and flexible and involving private businesses and communities. 🌐 Human Rights have the Universal Periodic Review, a serious data tracking tool, but still unknown to local governments. 🚀 Visibility and Accessibility 🚀 SDGs provide a platform for LRGs to engage more directly with global frameworks, enhancing their visibility and allowing for broader communication with wider populations. 📢 🔗The challenge ahead lies in creating synergies between HR mechanisms and SDG reporting to strengthen the overall effectiveness of data collection and policy implementation at all levels, promoting a holistic approach to governance and development. 🌿 By understanding and leveraging the strengths of both systems, we can ensure more coherent and effective strategies for promoting human rights and sustainable development globally. Let's explore how we can bridge human rights data from both systems for a better tomorrow! 🌟 Academia has a role to play ! Geneva Human Rights Platform Global Cities Hub #HumanRights #SDGs #DataForGood #GlobalDevelopment #LocalImpact

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Delighted that we British Irish Chamber of Commerce have launched our European Election Priorities Paper. Some points we'd like respective candidates consider include:   1.     Embrace a Global Trade Agenda. Candidates who represent Ireland should reject the growing trend of isolationism. Free and fair trade opens up new markets for exporters, gives consumers greater competition and options at home, it creates jobs and fuels innovation. 2.     Advocate for an EU – UK SPS Agreement. Agri-food products invoke the greatest levels on checks and inspections. These trade barriers are bad for consumers, farmers and retailers. A comprehensive SPS Agreement would address many of these barriers. 3.     Champion Framework Programme Funding The Chamber is urging MEPs to champion the budget for Framework Programme 10. The Chamber calls for an ambitious, ringfenced budget to deliver world-class research and innovation to solve global challenges and to increase the EU’s competitiveness. Furthermore, the UK’s association to FP 10 should be fast tracked.   4.     Support the Completion of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) The completion of the CMU should allow SMEs to have greater access to liquid capital markets to help fund the transition to a ‘green’ and ‘digital’ economy. The development of the CMU would only be effective if there is a streamlined approach to supervision and regulation across the EU.   5.     Reduce Bureaucracy – Create an EU Commissioner for SMEs   80% of Irish legislation originates from the EU, therefore it is important that it is understandable, implementable, and not contradictory. Excess bureaucracy is a costly burden on businesses and consumers alike and the EU has a reputation for bureaucratic entanglements. Amongst other things, a new SME focused Commissioner could be tasked with reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.   6.     Lead the Acceleration to Net Zero   To achieve this, we need to grow interconnection between Member States and the UK, the electrification of transport systems, and acknowledge the important roles of solar, green hydrogen, the Wind Power Package and the development of biomethane as an alternative source of energy.   7.     Support a potential UK request to link the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) with the UK ETS. Linking of carbon pricing is advantageous to both the EU and UK by increasing the pool of purchasers and sellers of Co2 permits and enhancing efficiencies for both the EU and UK markets.   8.     Protect the interests of Ireland’s Agri-food Sector   The CAP for over 60 years has supported Irish farmers and is critical in ensuring a balance between affordability of food and maintaining farm incomes. In Ireland, over a third of all emissions are derived from the Agri-food sector. Therefore, the onus of the green transition has a disproportionate impact on the sector and should be acknowledged through additional supports for Ireland in the next round of CAP negotiations.

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🙏 Big thanks to Nexem for inviting CEDAG - European Council of Associations of General Interest at its national conference of the regions (Lille, 23 May 2024) that brings together all Nexem regional representatives and constituents. https://nexem.fr/ 💡 It was a great opportunity to present and confront some of the key European issues at stake at the EU level for associations with the reality of social services providers at the national level. 🔥 For #CEDAG, associations are considered as both providers of services of general interest & democratic actors of the civil society. As such, debates on the future of the internal market, the recognition of the non-profit and associative model of enterprise through #ECBA directive proposal of the European Commission, and access to EU funds #Helpdesk (https://eufunds4social.eu) are strongly echoing at the national level.

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Administration can seem boring, but its quality is what citizens really notice when dealing with public officials. We all have stories of frustrations when dealing with bureaucrats, but below are some examples to bring a smile to your face :)

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Recent developments in Italy pose a serious risk to media freedom in the country, prompting the European Movement International, together with the International Federation of Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists and others to write to the European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova, asking her to take action. Meloni is being constructive in Brussels, not least on Ukraine, but back home she is targeting minorities, removing the rights of rainbow families and undermining media freedom.   Despite efforts to normalise her and her party, and even entertain the notion of post-EP elections alliances, the above shows that her domestic agenda goes contrary to some of the EU’s fundamental values. See more here https://lnkd.in/ekNq5G8W Many thanks to Jakob Hanke Vela for featuring this initiative in POLITICO Europe’s Playbook this morning. The press, at the national and European level, have a crucial role to play in ensuring governments don’t violate our most fundamental freedoms and rights.

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⚡️Brilliant evening yesterday, about "Past and future: shaping Europe's industrial policy” with Politico Europe that made one forget about cold and rainy Brussels 😅! 🙌🏻 After a great discussion on EU competitiveness between Barbara Moens and MEPs Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou, Ville Niinistö, and Tsvetelina Penkova, a very inspiring and exclusive interview with Enrico Letta straight after his report's presentation, "Much More than a Market", to our leaders. 🔝My few takeaways to give you appetite to read the full report : * The report wants to present realistic solutions to review our Single Market. * Is is a big toolbox and the solution will be the best combination of them. * Speed and scale are the essence and it's a collective game. * Europe should find its unique and wonderful way🇪🇺. So, to sum up, there is a clear call for collective actions: ‼️Everybody, read the report and share what you think 🧐! ‼️A great complementary reading is "Letter to Europe", from Luca de Meo which proposes concrete measures to boost our competitivity 🚀. ‼️EU leaders, our future is in your hands 💪🏻! ‼️Looking forward for Mario Draghi's report on EU competitiveness 🤓! #IndustrialPolicyEU 📒https://lnkd.in/e7EUDkxG 📒https://lnkd.in/eKKQBBsb

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I am very excited to announce that just days before the 2024 European Elections, on 27 May 2024with Kalypso Nicolaidis, Dr. Gaia Taffoni Nicolás Palomo Hernández, and Niccolo Milanese, we will present at the School of Transnational Governance in Florence, "Democracy Without Politics in EU Citizen Participation: From European Demoi to Decolonial Multitude", by Alvaro Oleart. The book is one of the most updated diagnosis of the state of European democracy after the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), the organisation of the post-CoFoE European Citizens Panels and the recent controversies around the follow up to successful European Citizens Initiatives, such as End the Cage Age. Notably, the book contrasts the ‘democracy without politics’ approach in the EU's citizen participation exercises in the context of the CoFoE (and the subsequent citizen panels organised by the Commission) with that of ongoing transnational activist processes. The panel will identify the challenges of European democracy in the 21st century, including those related to democratic innovations and the structural depoliticisation of EU politics. The discussion will draw new lines of reflection on the role of civil society and social movements in the democratisation of the European Union. Read more below - it will be possible to join both in person and online!

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Take a look now at our recent published article "Promoting Digital Inclusion: “Pla de Barris” Initiative in Mollet de Vallès" on the Digi-Inclusion Website! 🙌   🔹This article describes an endeavor, harmonized with broader activities of the DIGI-INCLUSION network, that seeks to equip citizens with basic digital skills, fostering autonomy and engagement in the digital realm, bridging the digital divide through the implementation of "Pla de Barris" initiative. 💪   The inaugural edition of this initiative joined the participation of 36 individuals with a balanced gender distribution and an average age hovering around fifty years, with a 35% attendance rate among individuals referred by the Department of Social Services. 🖥 👨 👩   The digital divide transcends gender and age boundaries. Digital challenges are not exclusive to the elderly; adults also encounter hurdles in navigating digital environments. Nevertheless, it appears that women are more inclined towards engaging in training to acquire or enhance their ICT knowledge.   Nonetheless, areas for improvement have been identified. 🔍 👀 Do you want to know how the story ends? Take a look at the full article at the following link:  

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Check out the conference to discover more about the insightful latest developments on Whole-of-society integration approaches! It has been a pleasure to host at the European Committee of the Regions the Whole-COMM project final conference, 'Exploring the Integration of post-2014 Migrants from a Whole-of-Community Perspective', coordinated by the Collegio Carlo Alberto in Turin and present along with my colleague Dace Vinovska the 'Cities and Regions for the Integration of Migrants Network' to the participants. The discussion about the project's outcomes has brought up some interesting reflections about the frameworks that should underline local and regional integration policies if they are to succeed and be sustainable. It has also stressed that integration is not a one-way process but a multi-way one involving many actors from diverse groups. On that note, it is important to recognise and empower EU local and regional authorities as the closest administrative level to the citizens and those with hands-on expertise who can add value when designing EU policies on migrants' integration. They also have a crucial role in taking up promising integration approaches such as the one discussed, namely, whole-of-community. As mentioned by the panellist and we commented based on our Integration Initiative best practices, these approaches are characterised by strong inter-departmental coordination within the local and regional authorities and solid cooperation with civil society, NGOs and private partners. Such innovative approaches and some of its principles have already proven crucial for emancipating migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the host community. The Integration Initiative aims to promote knowledge-sharing, networking, and capacity-building among local and regional authorities, creating synergies and multiplying their efforts in building inclusive communities across the EU. We have also shared the best practices of three Integration Initiative members, which are rooted in and driven by the principles mentioned above: the TRAPEZISTAK programme in Basque Country, the Bremen and Bremerhaven Integration Network (BIN), and the Riga Support Center for Ukrainian Citizens.  Certainly, we're looking forward to continuing to cooperate with our partners and exploring how the Toolkit and other project outcomes could enhance the capacities of local and regional authorities across the EU to build more inclusive societies. Thank you so much to Floriana Russo, Florence Plouchart-Cohen, and the entire Whole-COMM team and researchers for making this insightful conference and study possible. It is a great source of inspiration and evidence for developing more efficient and responsive policies.

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