Activities of Daniel BUDA related to 2023/2044(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on harnessing talent in Europe’s regions
Amendments (33)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas rural areas, more than other regions, suffer from high numbers of young people leaving, a lack of generational renewal, ageing demographics and overall population decline and this difference is likely to exacerbate in the future; stresses the importance of local authorities in launching strategies and policies aimed at developing well-paid jobs, attractive career opportunities and favourable economic prospects to mitigate brain drain; stresses that all young people should have equal opportunities regardless of geography;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the latest statistics indicate that the EU population is projected to decrease, from 447.9 million in 2022 to 419.5 million in 2100; whereas it is estimated that the average age of the EU population will increase by 5.8 years between 2022 and 2100, with a considerable reduction in the number and share of working-age persons1a ;considers that the long-term European vision will need to place particular emphasis on programmes for the active involvement of older people in community life; _________________ 1a Eurostat 2023, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics- explained/index.php?title=Population_pro jections_in_the_EU.
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas population is projected to increase in almost three out of five urban regions and to decrease in four out of five rural regions; underlines the importance of adapting rural infrastructures, investments in public transport, medical and education services and the need to develop digital infrastructure in rural areas, making these regions more attractive to the younger generation and entrepreneurs;
Amendment 13 #
Ac. points out that one in three persons living in rural areas are likely to be aged 65 and over by 20502a and working age population is expected to shrink still further over the next years and decades; highlights the challenges for public expenditure in relation to pensions, healthcare, and labour market; _________________ 2a Eurostat, Ageing Europe, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics- explained/index.php?title=Ageing_Europ e_- _statistics_on_population_developments
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. emphasize the importance of enhancing information tehnology infrastructure, particulaty through the establishment of the high-speed broadband connections, reminds that in some Member States up to 25 % of rural households do not have access to the internet3a, as well as promoting digitlal education and training in line with the EU's digital targets for 2030, to improve the overall level of digital skills and competences in order to increase employment oppotrtunities for young people and revitalise rural areas; _________________ 3a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/doc ument/TA-9-2022- 0436_EN.html#def_1_21
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the latest statistics indicate that the EU population will decrease from 446.7 million in 2022 to 419.5 million in 2100; whereas it is estimated that the average age of the EU population will increase by 5.8 years between 2022 and 2100 with, as a consequence, a significant reduction in the number and the proportion of people active on the labour market1a; __________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics- explained/index.php?title=Population_pro jections_in_the_EU
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas population loss is a sustained trend over time, particularly affecting rural areas with older populations on average than those found in cities and suburbs14; whereas young people are on average more likely to leave rural areas; whereas the loss of population in rural areas is deeply linked to the lack of connectivity, public services and employmentstatistics indicate that the elderly in the EU-27 are generally more inclined than young people to live in predominantly rural and intermediate regions; whereas, according to estimates, the probability is that one in three people living in rural areas will be aged 65 or over by 205014a; whereas the loss of population in rural areas is deeply linked to the lack of connectivity, public services and employment; stressing the importance of adapting rural infrastructure, investing in public transport, in medical services and in education services and the need to develop digital infrastructure in rural areas, making these regions more attractive to the younger generation and to entrepreneurs; whereas the posting of young workers poses significant challenges to demographic structures; whereas mountainous, isolated and outermost regions are particularly affected by these phenomena; __________________ 14 See the Commission Staff Working Document entitled ‘The impact of demographic change – in a changing environment’ of 17 January 2023 (SWD(2023)0021). 14a Eurostat, Ageing Europe - statistics on population developments, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics- explained/index.php?title=Ageing_Europ e_-_
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that the ‘talent development trap’ occurs in regions with insufficient skilled workers, as well as a lack of university and higher education institutions; points out that innovation and education play a crucial role in ensuring that all EU regions can build a supportive innovation environment and develop their populations’ talents in order to ensure their future competitiveness; considers it therefore necessary to introduce a range of policies to tackle depopulation resulting in a loss of talent; underlines the importance of providing incentives, including but not limited to financial benefits for individuals and organizations that carry out activities or provide services in rural areas, in order to stimulate economic activity, to promote new activities and help young people to find alternative jobs;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas talent retention does not refer exclusively to stopping the emigration of highly qualified persons from one country to another, or from one region to another, but also to attracting populations whose professional background is related to jobs that are still in high demand in rural and sparsely populated areas; stresses the importance of local authorities in launching strategies and policies aimed at developing well-paid jobs, attractive career opportunities and favourable economic prospects to mitigate the brain drain; stresses that all young people should have equal opportunities regardless of the geographical region;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that shrinking regions need to develop economic diversification strategies to promote local resilience; whereas rural regions comprise much more than agricultural landscapes, these regions are vibrant and embody a diverse range of economic, cultural and environmental attributes, thus evidencing their indispensable contribution to the structure of our societies;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. whereas people in rural areas face multiple challenges such as lack of appropriate resources and administrative border, member states should consider tax exemptions in rural areas as a measure to attarct young people and investors;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication on ‘Harnessing talent in Europe’s regions’; appreciates the strategies presented as a mechanism to avoid economic, social and gender disparities between citizens affected by the green and digital transitions; considers it fundamental that the concept of ‘rural proofing’ include assessing the demographic impact, the issue of job creation, the impact on the educational framework and the gender impact; lays emphasis on the promotion of digital education and training, in line with the EU’s digital targets for 2030, to improve the overall level of digital skills and competences in order to increase employment opportunities for young people and revitalise rural areas;
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. highlights the importance of developing well-paid jobs in rural areas because that individuals who move out of rural areas generally experience higher earnings growth; rural and remote areas must be given special attention to employment prospects as they are at higher risk of having fewer opportunities;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recalls that according to the 8th Cohesion Report, the primary drivers of migration and brain drain in EU regions are inadequate access to quality public and social services, particularly in education and healthcare, a scarcity of appealing job prospects with competitive wages, and shortcomings in essential infrastructure like transportation and high-speed internet networks; Expresses its concern that these deficiencies lead to growing disparities in development between the regions of origin and those receiving talents, making it increasingly unlikely that talents will return to the regions from which they left;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. considers that young people should use the programmes offered by Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps and other relevant EU funds such as the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in order to to maximize their opportunities;
Amendment 75 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. underlines the importance of promoting and encouraging rural tourism, agritourism, in order to increase additional sources of income in rural areas and to promote and preserve natural and cultural heritage;
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. calls on the European Commission to identify and implement resources to encourage farmers to develop short supply chains, so as to create additional jobs in rural areas; also to pay particular attention to the problems of young farmers, provide training appropriate to their needs, help improve the public perception of farming and farmers, and increase support in accessing European funds;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the creation of the Talent Booster Mechanism aimed at boosting talent in regions facing, or at risk of facing, what the Commission calls a talent development trap; calls for clear and objective criteria regarding the definition of regions in, or at risk of, a talent development trap; highlights the potential of the Technical Support Instrument; Calls on the Commission to establish a Task- Force responsible for implementing the Talent Booster Mechanism, under the joint-leadership of the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform, the Commissioner for Democracy and Demography and the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights; The Taskforce should gather relevant stakeholders, such as representatives of local and regional authorities, private sector, universities and NGO’s;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers that policies developed under the Talent Booster Mechanism should focus on developing high-quality labour and formation markets, creating new job opportunities that offer attractive wages, ensuring decent living standards, supporting regions in attracting European funds, optimizing public services and infrastructure, economic diversification and creating attractive business environments, social cohesion, in order to strengthen the economic competitiveness of the affected regions and the European Union as a whole;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the pilot projects through which the European Commission provides tailored technical assistance to selected regions, financed 100% from the EU budget, in order to develop and implement strategies to retain and attract talent; considers that in the Multiannual Financial Framework post 2027, the personalized technical assistance offered by the European Commission should be extended both to all 46 regions already in the "talent development trap" and to all 36 regions at risk of facing a "talent development trap" in the future;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Calls on the Commission, through the Talent Booster Mechanism, to offer member states technical assistance regarding the development of policies aimed to attract the labour force from the diaspora back to the regions of origin;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that it is essential that Member States, their regions and local authorities come up with innovative solutions tailored to each territory; welcomes the Commission’s proposal that Member States set up thematic and regional working groups to address specific challenges under the Talent Booster Mechanism; underlines the importance that these working groups foster partnerships especially between developed regions and regions lagging behind, including cities and rural areas, both in terms of developing joint projects and attracting European funds and private or foreign investments, as well as in developing education and specialization programs;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Considers necessary to scale the model of the "Digital Europe" programme, which brings together less innovative regions with the most innovative in a collaboration with the objective to build new EU value chains by capitalizing on the specific assets of each region;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Welcomes the fact that the communication aims to strengthen collaboration between regional authorities, social partners, employment services and education and training providers and underlines to the importance of enhancing social dialogue to attract businesses and boost economic development in the affected regions;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to finance and promote specific projects for the development of initiatives to ensure young people’s access to training, with a particular focus on deficit or high-demand occupations, to stimulate the creation of quality jobs and to guarantee paid traineeships; considers that the labour market integration of young people who are not professionally employed and do not follow any educational or training program (NEET) must be prioritized;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Acknowledges that direct financial support to regions in or at risk of a talent development trap will be provided under existing instruments; regrets nonetheless that no specific and dedicated financial support has been established for this purpose; suggests that the new programming period should include the creation of a dedicated fund addressing the brain drain; the dedicated fund should be formed similar to the Just Transition Fund (JTF), or even be an extension of JTF - covering both the 46 regions that already in a "talent development trap" and the 36 regions who are at risk of facing a "talent development trap" in the near future; the dedicated fund should provide for an EU co-financing rate of maximum 100%, considering that in the current cohesion policy, a significant part of the regions facing the "talent development trap" cannot develop cohesion projects necessary for socio- economic development because they do not poses necessary budgetary resources to cover the co-financing part, considering that their budgetary incomes decrease in direct proportion to decrease in population and economic activities; considers that the new fund should ensure the necessary synergies with the cohesion policy funds and the rural development pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP);
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on Member States to consolidate policies for attracting teachers to regions and localities facing "talent development traps", ensuring them attractive salaries and decent living conditions;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Encourages regional and local authorities to accelerate the development of high-speed networks and 5G networks in rural areas to increase economic opportunities for businesses and teleworking; Requests the authorities of the Member States to launch support schemes and information campaigns aimed at promoting advantages of living outside the overcrowded cities and the urban-rural transition, especially for professionals who telework;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Encourages regional and local authorities facing the "talent development trap" to join the European Pact for Skills as well as its 14 partnerships across different industrial ecosystems to equip the workforce with the competences needed for green and digital transition;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Underlines that 31% of the population of regions facing a "talent development trap" live in rural areas; calls on Member States to accelerate the implementation of measures set out in the EU Rural Action Plan 2040, in particular those regarding the development of Smart villages - thus stimulating economic diversification and attracting businesses, key elements to enhance the quality of life and offer young professionals the prospect of a decent living in rural areas;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Encourages authorities of the member states to intensify the exchange of experience and good practices regarding the development and modernization of rural areas on the EU Rural Revitalization Platform as well as on the forum of localities that have joined the "Start-up Villages" concept;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Expresses its concern that the intensification of territorial development discrepancies resulting from "talent development traps" could generate an increase in the number of citizens who consider themselves neglected and left behind by EU policies, which could further intensify the existing Eurosceptic current ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13d. Expresses its concern that the blocking without a legal basis related to the accession criteria of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area drastically affects cross-border cooperation, mobility of workers, viability of enterprises and economic development of the cross-border regions of the two member states, deepening them into the " talent development trap”; reiterates its calls to the Council to take measures to avoid the misuse of the right of veto and to the Spanish Presidency of the Council to give special priority and to schedule a vote on this topic by the end of 2023;