2016/2304(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas raising the profile of EU- funded projects can play a key role in combating the shadow economy;

Amendment 10 #

Claude ROLIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Underlines the importance of the European structural and investment funds, and in particular the European Social Fund which promotes employment and social inclusion;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that the Structural Funds only exist thanks to the contributions of Member States;

Amendment 12 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI, Siôn SIMON, Jutta STEINRUCK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Recalls that a stronger Code of Conduct for partnership with certain minimum requirement could motivate the managing authorities to improve their partnership work beyond a mere obligation; reminds that the partnership principle fundamentally ensures that the programming is done closer to citizens needs and in listening to and integrating stakeholders input;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls on the Commission, with the aim to increasing the visibility of the Cohesion Policy and ESI Funds, to adopt targeted measures for beneficiaries, managing authorities and stakeholders of Member States to widely communicate the results and benefits of this particularly well documented Policy;

Amendment 14 #

Dominique MARTIN, Joëlle MÉLIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls on the Commission to introduce impact indicators in addition to the quantitative analysis that is already required – such as the number of beneficiaries or the cost of projects – that focus on the long-term achievements of projects that receive the funding concerned;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Notes with concern that the beneficiaries and managers of Structural Fund resources are subject to an obligation to publicise their use by highlighting the so-called EU contribution;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Points out that the Structural and Investment Funds comprise five different funds that are geared towards improving European citizens’ quality of life; emphasises that those funds can support development via investment in areas such as research and development, infrastructure, job creation and training, agriculture and fisheries development;

Amendment 17 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI, Siôn SIMON, Jutta STEINRUCK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the local, regional and national managing authorities, to monitor regularly that all legal provisions as regards information and communication are being implemented thoroughly in order to ensure transparency and the widespread dissemination of information about the achievements of the Funds, paying close attention to cross-border regional funds; recognises that the best way of raising awareness about projects co-financed by the EU is to ensure there is more of a trickle-down effect through to society at local level, to get stakeholders involved, to mount public participation campaigns, and to use the mass media, local media and social networks;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the managing authorities, to monitor regularly that all legal provisions as regards information and communication are being implemented thoroughly in order to ensure transparency and the widespread dissemination of information ~~about the achievement~~through institutional communication, social media, dedicated applications for smartphones and any other type of informal communication, about the achievements of the Funds, and through the creation of accessible and transparent data bases and the exchange of best practices between managing authorities and beneficiaries of the Funds;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the managing authorities, to monitor regularly that all legal provisions as regards information and communication are being implemented thoroughly in order to ensure transparency and the widespread dissemination of information about the achievements of the Funds; in order to improve the communication of the results and make it more effective, provision should also be made for the creation of a specific item in the budget, but without this involving any increase in the overall budget;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the high degrees of synergy and significant efficiency gains which could be achieved by raising the profile of the EU structural and investment funds could be secured for all EU funds by implementing a similar and hence comparable communication and publicising strategy;

Amendment 20 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Enrique CALVET CHAMBON, Jana TOOM, Robert ROCHEFORT, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the managing authorities as well as the stakeholders concerned, to monitor regularly that all legal provisions as regards information and communication are being implemented thoroughly in order to ensure transparency and the widespread dissemination of information about the achievements of the Funds; stresses the importance of ensuring citizen-friendly language and suggests increased use of concepts such as “simple language”;

Amendment 21 #

Jane COLLINS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the ~~Commission, in close cooperation with the managing authoriti~~Member States, to monitor regularly that all ~~legal provisions as regards information and communication are being implemented thoroughly in order to ensure transparency and the widespread dissemination of information~~information about the funding of projects, in particular information detailing the contribution of the Member State in which a project is being carried out, is published in order to ensure transparency about the achievements of the Funds;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission to evaluate what has not worked in the past in order to correct in a constructive manner the errors that have been committed and to improve the way in which Cohesion Policy functions; in 2015, 30% of Europeans2 a declared that the impact of projects co-financed by the EU had been negative while another 30% claimed that the funds had been allocated to the wrong projects; __________________ 2 a Flash Eurobarometer 423 - http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/source s/docoffic/official/reports/eurobarometer/ 423/citizen_awareness_summary_en.pdf

Amendment 25 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Enrique CALVET CHAMBON, Jana TOOM, Robert ROCHEFORT, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Recognises the importance of the European code of conduct on partnership, which governs the participation of local authorities, the social partners and other interested parties at all stages of planning, implementation and follow-up with regard to the European Structural and Investment Funds;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve the visibility of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) by communicating the European added value of the projects, particularly in terms of job creation and social integration; in this context, draws attention to the growing importance of social media as the main source of information among many citizens, and also the dissemination of anti-European propaganda on the internet; recommends the more intense use of social media to communicate the successes of cohesion policies and the opportunities related to their use;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 28 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI, Siôn SIMON, Jutta STEINRUCK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve the visibility of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) ~~by communicating~~, avoiding disproportionate investment for that purpose and guaranteeing transparent and honest communication with citizens in order to communicate the European added value of ~~the~~ projects, particularly in terms of job creation and social integration;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve the visibility of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) by communicating the European added value of the projects, particularly in terms of job creation and social integration through a targeted and detailed institutional communication of results and projects achieved and the collection of best practices;

Amendment 3 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Enrique CALVET CHAMBON, Jana TOOM, Robert ROCHEFORT, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. NHighlights that Cohesion policy proved to be one the most important public tools in promoting growth and jobs and reducing regional disparities; notes with concern that in 2015 only 34 % of Europeans said that they had heard about projects co-financed by the EU to improve the area in which they live and that this proportion has remained unchanged since June 20101 ; therefore, there is an urgent need to improve communication strategies to citizens, considering the low awareness of the positive effects cohesion policies have in quality of life and economic growth, which is even more important in times of challenge by populism and spread negativity about the European project; __________________ 1 Flash Eurobarometer 423: Citizens’ awareness and perceptions of EU regional policy.

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 31 #

Claude ROLIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve the visibility of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) by communicating the ~~European~~national added value of the projects, particularly in terms of job creation and social integration;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Regards a higher profile for EU- funded projects and improved communication as a means of combating Euroscepticism; calls for the financial support provided by the EU and the EU’s positive impact on the labour market in the Member State concerned to be publicised more widely prior to significant national elections;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Recognises the need to take a pedagogical approach with regard to the funds concerned so as to prevent nationalist reactions to an instrument that is based on solidarity with the most deprived regions or with the people who need that solidarity most, such as the unemployed or those at risk of social exclusion;

Amendment 35 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls on the Commission to promote partnerships, agreements and initiatives via the networks and communications channels used by the stakeholders who are most closely involved, such as the social partners and NGOs;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission to review the provisions contained in Article 115 of, and Annex XII to, Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 to take account of the specific nature of European Social Fund (ESF) projects, which mainly focus on human capital, providing in particular the possibility to finance specific dissemination and divulgation of the performed activities and results achieved by actions funded under the European Social Fund (ESF), taking into account that the ordinary communication and advertising standards, while well- conceived in case of structural and technological investments, are not as much effective for intangible investments in human capital;

Amendment 37 #

Claude ROLIN, Anne SANDER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recognises the importance of the ESF in promoting employment and boosting social and economic cohesion in the Member States, especially with regard to the regions and people who are most vulnerable; underscores the added value of the ESF and the need to bolster it so that it accounts for a minimum of 30% of total ESIF funding, and draw up communication plans to ensure better optimisation of the resources invested in visibility;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Emphasises the partnership principle and calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure the full and effective involvement of economic and social partners and bodies representing civil society at all stages in the implementation of Partnership Agreements and programmes and to facilitate the exchange of experience and good practices;

Amendment 39 #

Claude ROLIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Welcomes the better application of the partnership principle in the 2014-2020 ESIF period as compared to the 2007- 2013 and recognises the contribution of the European Code of Conduct on Partnership to this regard; Notes, however, that some challenges remain, in particular the difficulty to mobilise all relevant stakeholders or the lack of time to ensure partner involvement;

Amendment 4 #

Dominique MARTIN, Joëlle MÉLIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes ~~with concern~~ that in 2015 only 34 % of Europeans said that they had heard about projects co-financed by the EU ~~to improve the area in which they live~~ and that this proportion has remained unchanged since June 20101 despite the Commission’s communication efforts; Considers that this highlights the relative uselessness of these Funds and the efforts made to publicise them; __________________ 1 Flash Eurobarometer 423: Citizens’ awareness and perceptions of EU regional policy.

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Commission to reduce the administrative burden on authorities and beneficiaries with a view to ensuring a better absorption rate, in particular for SMEs, which have created around 85 % of new jobs within the Union in the past five years, and for civil society organisations that are responsible for helping to reintegrate the most vulnerable people into society and into employment; calls for the action taken to reduce the administrative burden to be subject to the audits and checks required to guarantee that the funds are used in a transparent manner;

Amendment 41 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Enrique CALVET CHAMBON, Jana TOOM, Robert ROCHEFORT, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Commission to reduce the administrative burden on authorities and beneficiaries with a view to ensuring a better absorption rate, in particular for SMEs, which have created around 85 % of new jobs within the Union in the past five years; emphasises, in that connection, the need to maintain a balance as regards the beneficiaries’ reporting obligations and accountability vis-à-vis the European taxpayer, so that, in the context of the revision of a fund, sufficient data is available to improve the way in which funding is targeted;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Commission to reduce the administrative burden ~~on authorities and beneficiaries~~, without affecting necessary controls and audits, with a view to ensuring a better absorption rate, in particular for SMEs, which have created around 85 % of new jobs within the Union in the past five years, and micro- businesses and companies in remote rural areas in order to foster their capacity to create employment and add economic value;

Amendment 43 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI, Siôn SIMON

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Commission to reduce the administrative burden on authorities and beneficiaries with a view to ensuring a better absorption rate, in particular for civil society organizations as well as SMEs, which have created around 85 % of new jobs within the Union in the past five years;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the Commission to adopt instruments able to assess not only the quantity but also the quality of the jobs created, as precarious types of employment without adequate safeguards or contracts that involve the exploitation of workers contribute to a negative perception of the cohesion policies;

Amendment 46 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Brando BENIFEI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses the importance of EU added value which is one of the core principles against which spending options at EU level should be assessed; believes in this regard that all European Structural and Investment funding must be used in a way that adds value to the work already undertaken by the Member States;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Underlines that the simplification efforts should not only target beneficiaries, and calls on the Commission to concentrate their simplification efforts also on those responsible for managing and implementing the Cohesion Policy;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Reminds of the empowering effect of early-stage funding and pre-financing for projects through the use of ESIF;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Firmly believes that ESIF should not be used to subsidise national approaches, but should be used to provide additional support via partner organisations in a way that complements and enhances national programmes according to the decision of the Member States;

Amendment 5 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI, Siôn SIMON, Jutta STEINRUCK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes with concern that in 2015 only 34 % of Europeans said that they had heard about projects co-financed by the EU to improve the area in which they live and to foster sustainable, inclusive growth and high-quality jobs, and that this proportion has remained unchanged since June 20101; __________________ 1 Flash Eurobarometer 423: Citizens’ awareness and perceptions of EU regional policy.

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls on the Commission to ensure and to monitor adequate resources for social partners in this regard as allocated under Article 6 of the Regulation n. 1304/2013, and to establish a reserve for this purpose;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Calls for ESIF funded programmes to allow for appropriate flexibility in their design in order to allow Member States and partner organisation implement individualised support in line with local needs, without compromising on audit and control;

Amendment 52 #

Jane COLLINS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Underlines the importance of the Tripartite ESF Committee, which facilitates the administration of the ESF by Member States, and calls on the Commission to consider the creation of similar committees for the other ESIFs in light of the added value created by social dialogue;deleted

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Underlines the importanc~~Notes the role of the Tripartite ESF Committee, which facilitates the administration of the ESF by Member States~~, and calls on the Commission to consider the creation of similar committees for the other ESIFs in light of the added value created by social dialogue~~;

Amendment 54 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Jana TOOM, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Recognises that the ESF has taken on new challenges – such as the Youth Employment Initiative, the new Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived to combat poverty, the initiative for the long- term unemployed, and the reformed EURES network for employment in the EU – and that there is a need to step up social dialogue in line with the ‘Declaration on a new start for a strong Social Dialogue’1a; __________________ 1a https://www.etuc.org/sites/www.etuc.org/fi les/press- release/files/08.02.16_declaration_social_ dialogue_to_commission_council.pdf

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses the importance of the integration of refugees as an urgent policy matter in the aftermath of the refugee crisis. In this regard, insists on appropriate allocation of the funds, flexible use of funds, and more appropriate targeting of the risk groups, in order to mitigate the risk of exclusion and social tensions;

Amendment 56 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Enrique CALVET CHAMBON, Jana TOOM, Robert ROCHEFORT, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Emphasises the importance of guaranteeing full participation, at EU, national and regional level, of the social partners, thereby facilitating their involvement, particularly where trade unions are concerned, in all stages of planning, implementation, supervision and assessment of the use of the Structural Funds;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Calls on the Commission to analyse the real impact of investing EU funds during the previous programming period and to draw specific conclusions regarding the positive and negative experiences as a starting-point for adding value to the investment process;

Amendment 58 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Enrique CALVET CHAMBON, Jana TOOM, Robert ROCHEFORT, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Stresses that there is a particular need at EU and at Members States level to improve simplification for beneficiaries with more precise targeting to meet their needs. In this regard, the social partners and stakeholders could contribute to the identification of both good and bad practices and help in introducing simplification option in their Member States;

Amendment 59 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI, Siôn SIMON, Jutta STEINRUCK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls on the Commission to propose effective communication measures which can best illustrate the positive contribution made by Cohesion Policy and how the policy has positively contributed towards improving lives of the European citizens on the ground; calls on all stakeholders to make the best use of new communication techniques to increase the visibility of this Policy;

Amendment 60 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Brando BENIFEI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Member States who have not or have done so to a lesser extent, to devote an appropriate shparet of the ESF resources to strengthening the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders in the Member States ~~where needed; calls on the Commission to asses~~, calls on the Commission to ensure that the Member States know the exact finalities of the ESF priorities relating to the partnership involvement as well as to accompany them in the realization of the priorities through the identification and dissemination of best practices, in this context calls on the Commission to monitor in the annual implementation report of ESF programmes the impro~~vements made by the Member States in this respect.~~ gress made in the activities realised in the Member States in this regard, with the purpose to ensure the respect of the requirement of the adequacy of the resources.

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Member States to devote an appropriate share of ESF resources to strengthening the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders in Member States where ~~needed~~there have been most cases of irregularities and the municipalities do not participate in calls for tenders; suggests finding suitable forms of cooperation at all levels so as to ensure that competent officials are committed without conflicts of interest to achieving an overall improvement in administrative capacity; calls on the Commission to assess the improvements made by the Member States in this respect.

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Member States to devote an appropriate share of ESF resources to increasing technical assistance for the empowerment of partners and for strengthening the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders in Member States where needed; calls on the Commission to ensure that both the allocated budget of 20 % of the ESF for social inclusion and the minimum guaranteed ESF share in each Member State is fully achieved; calls on the Commission to assess the improvements made by the Member States in this respect.

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Member States to devote an appropriate share of ESF resources to strengthening the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders in Member States where needed~~; calls on the Commission to assess the improvements made by the Member States in this respect.~~, providing information and access to municipal authorities which have limited resources or are in outlying areas; calls on the Commission to assess the improvements made by the Member States in this respect, and to assess and take the steps necessary to ensure that the funds are flexible enough to adapt in line with fluctuations in the economy;

Amendment 64 #

Claude ROLIN, Anne SANDER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Member States to devote an appropriate share of ESF resources to strengthening the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders in Member States as regards the processing of funding allocations where needed; calls on the Commission to assess the improvements made by the Member States in this respect.

Amendment 65 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Member States to devote an appropriate share of ESF resources to strengthening the institutional capacity of public authorities and ~~stakeholders in Member States where needed~~relevant partners in order to ensure an effective partnership; calls on the Commission to assess the improvements made by the Member States in this respect.

Amendment 66 #

Elena GENTILE, Agnes JONGERIUS, Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Brando BENIFEI, Siôn SIMON, Jutta STEINRUCK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Underlines that in order to achieve the impact and the added value of Cohesion Policy a “one size fits all” approach cannot work in practice, for this reason a future Cohesion Policy should take into account different social and economic realities to address the specific situations;

Amendment 67 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Jana TOOM, Marian HARKIN, Martina DLABAJOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls for participatory outcome assessments to be carried out with beneficiaries, local and regional authorities, associations, the social partners and other stakeholders in order to gather relevant data with a view to boosting active participation and visibility with regard to future action;

Amendment 68 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Underlines concerns regarding the exclusion of some regions or municipalities from financing due to the increase in public debt since this increase usually stems from the activities of the central authorities;

Amendment 69 #

Anne SANDER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the Member States to ensure a straightforward and transparent management of the European Structural and Investment Funds;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Reminds the Commission of defending and maintaining the partnership principle in developing and implementing projects under the ESIF; points out that civil society actors and social partners should be better involved in the development processes from an early stage and that urban and regional stakeholders should play a bigger role in the implementation of the projects to be carried out;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Believes that one of the greatest challenges is the capacity of regions and partners to use and access EU funding streams, stresses in this regard the importance of investing in capacity both in terms of identification and application of funding opportunities and most importantly the administration of Structural and Investment funds;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Highlights how important it is to provide information about the potential of the funds concerned, especially in the most deprived regions, given that 75% of the people who were aware of the funds said that they had had a positive impact, and only 9% said that the impact had been negative;

source: 601.054

2017/03/29 REGI 153 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)

- having regard to the Commission summary report on the 'Ex-Post Evaluation of the ERDF' for the period 2007-2013 (SWD(2016) 318 final),

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the~~re should be a clear link between the level of funding available for each Member State and the level of awareness of local EU-funded programmes~~ awareness of local EU-funded programmes among end-users and society as a whole is pivotal;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Underlines the need for further prioritisation of communication among the hierarchy of EU Cohesion policy priorities, especially among management staff not directly responsible for communication, and bringing communication within the normal procedure of ESI Funds; asks for further professionalism in communication especially in going local and avoiding EU jargon;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the initiative of the V4 countries on the externalities of cohesion policy in EU-1517 and calls on the Commission to draft a broader study at EU-28 level; further urges the Commission to differentiate its communication strategies towards net contributor and net beneficiary Member States, while highlighting the specific benefits that cohesion policy brings in terms of the real economy, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation and creating growth and jobs in all EU regions, both through direct investments and direct and indirect exports (externalities)ex-post evaluation of cohesion policy programmes 2007-2013 by the Commission which provide an excellent sources of communicating on results achieved and impacts realised; takes note of the initiative of the V4 countries on the externalities of cohesion policy in EU-1517 and calls on the Commission to draft a broader study at EU-28 level; _________________ 17Report prepared within the Ex post evaluation and forecast of benefits to EU- 15 countries as a result of Cohesion Policy implementation in V4 countries, commissioned by the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and entitled ‘How do EU-15 Member States benefit from the Cohesion Policy in the V4.

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Welcomes~~Notes with all due caution the initiative of the V4 countries on the externalities of cohesion policy in EU-1517 and calls on the Commission to draft a broader objective study at EU-28 level; further urges the Commission to differentiate its communication strategies towards net contributor and net beneficiary Member States, while highlighting the specific benefits that cohesion policy brings in terms of the real economy, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation and creating growth and jobs in all EU regions, both through direct investments and direct and indirect exports (externalities); _________________ 17 Report prepared within the Ex post evaluation and forecast of benefits to EU- 15 countries as a result of Cohesion Policy implementation in V4 countries, commissioned by the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and entitled ‘How do EU-15 Member States benefit from the Cohesion Policy in the V4.

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the initiative of the V4 countries on the externalities of cohesion policy in EU-1517 and calls on the Commission to draft a broader study at EU-28 level; further urges the Commission to differentiate its communication strategies towards net contributor and net beneficiary Member States, while highlighting the specific benefits that cohesion policy brings in terms of the real economy, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation ~~and~~, creating growth and jobs in all EU regions, and improving community and economic infrastructure, both through direct investments and direct and indirect exports (externalities); _________________ 17 Report prepared within the Ex post evaluation and forecast of benefits to EU- 15 countries as a result of Cohesion Policy implementation in V4 countries, commissioned by the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and entitled ‘How do EU-15 Member States benefit from the Cohesion Policy in the V4.

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the managing authorities to identify ways to facilitate and standardise access to information, in order to increase the transparency and visibility of funding opportunities and to ensure an effective exchange of information and knowledge for beneficiaries;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the managing authorities to identify ways to facilitate access to information, in order to increase the transparency and visibility of funding opportunities and to ensure an effective exchange of information and knowledge for beneficiaries; points to the need to better capitalize on existing experience;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Considers it necessary, in order to make cohesion policy genuinely more credible, to highlight sufficiently both 'good' and 'bad' practices, through databases that go beyond providing a scant description of the project and the expenditure incurred, thus enabling citizens to check effectively both the added value and value of most of the projects implemented and, in certain cases, their lack of usefulness in relation to a given local area;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Calls on the Commission to promote an exchange of good practices regarding the most effective communication strategies and projects implemented by the regions of Europe;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Considers that there is a growing need for a strengthening of communication through new media channels which will require developing a communication strategy for digital and social media that focuses on reaching end- users through different set of tools such as interactive on-line surveys or mobile applications, developing more accessible mobile-based content and ensuring that information is available in different languages and adjusted to different age groups;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Considers that there is a need for a communication strategy for digital and social media ~~that focuse~~platforms, that informs citizens and gives them opportunity to voice their needs, when it comes to their regions, and these platforms should also focus on reaching end- users through interactive on-line surveys, developing more accessible mobile-based content and ensuring that information is available in different languages;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas ~~there should be~~, in some cases, there is a clear link between the level of funding available for each Member State and the level of awareness of local EU-funded programmes; whereas it is equally important to point to the benefits of cohesion policy funding for all regions, also where funding levels are low;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Considers that there is a need for a communication strategy for digital and social media that focuses on reaching end- users through interactive on-line ~~survey~~means, developing more accessible mobile-based content and ensuring that information is available in different languages where appriopriate;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls on the Commission to establish a regional version of the RegioStars award to be given each year for the best project carried out or completed;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Encourages the further improvement and promotion of data and charts within the ESI Funds Open Data Platform for the use of journalists;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Suggests, furthermore, that the monitoring and evaluation of current communication activities be improved and proposes setting up aregional taskforces on communication that involves multilevel actors;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Suggests, furthermore, that the monitoring and evaluation of current communication activities be improved and proposes setting up a ~~taskforce~~strategy on communication that involves multilevel actors;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Highlights the role of the partnership principle in enhancing the collective commitment to and ownership of cohesion policy; calls for the link between public authorities, potential ESI fund recipients and citizens to be strengthened through open dialogue, adjusting the composition of partnerships as necessary during implementation, with a view to ensuring the right mix of partners to represent community interests at every stage of the process; calls for this to be made a more binding principle within the framework of post-2020 cohesion policy;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Highlights the role of the partnership principle in enhancing the collective commitment to and ownership of cohesion policy; calls for the link between public authorities, the economy, civil society and citizens to be strengthened through open dialogue, adjusting the composition of partnerships as necessary during implementation, with a view to ensuring the right mix of partners to represent community interests at every stage of the process;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Highlights the role of the partnership principle in enhancing the collective commitment to and ownership of cohesion policy; calls for the link between public authorities and citizens to be strengthened through open dialogue, adjusting the composition of partnerships as necessary during implementation, with a view to ensuring the right mix of partners to represent community interests at every stage of the process; in this context calls on the Commission to assess the impact of ESI Funds rules on the ability of local and regional authorities to invest and to provide clarification over the treatment of public-private partnerships under Eurostat rules;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Underlines that the partnership principle needs to be strengthened in the upcoming funding period and the engagement of partners pro-actively encouraged; asks to introduce clear minimum requirements for partnership involvement also applicable in the preparation phase of the programmes; considers important that contributions of partners to draft programmes are published and followed-up by the managing authorities in writing; demands that partners most concerned, alongside partners most representative, are involved in the monitoring committees; considers that all partners shall have voting right;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the multi-level governance model implying enhanced coordination among public authorities, economic and social partners and civil society can effectively contribute to better communicating EU policy objectives and results;deleted

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Appreciates the innovative model of multilevel and multi-stakeholder cooperation proposed by the EU Urban Agenda and recommends its replication, where possible, in the implementation of cohesion policy;deleted

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Appreciat~~Welcomes the innovative model of multilevel and multi-stakeholder cooperation proposed by the EU Urban Agenda and recommends its replication, where possible, in the implementation of cohesion policy;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the need to ~~enhance the communication dimension of cross-border and inter-regional cooperation, through the dissemination of good practices and of investment success stori~~inform the citizens of the threat that macro-regional strategies pose to the sovereignty of the Member States;

Amendment 123 #

Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the need to enhance the communication dimension of cross-border ~~and~~, inter-regional cooperation and macroregional strategies, through the dissemination of good practices and of investment success stories;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the need to enhance the communication dimension of cross-border and inter-regional cooperation, through the dissemination of good practices and of investment success stories; highlights the communication opportunities that could be created by making better use of communication at the level of EU macro- regional strategies;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the need to enhance the communication dimension of cross-border and inter-regional cooperation, through the dissemination of good practices and of investment success stories; emphasizes that is important to inform the EU citizens about the ongoing macro- regional strategies across the EU;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on the Commission to increase the attractiveness of EU cohesion policy funding through further simplification, and ~~flexibility measures, as well as through reducing~~to consider the reduction of the number of regulations;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the partnership principle and the multi-level governance model implying enhanced coordination among public authorities, economic and social partners and civil society can effectively contribute to better communicating EU policy objectives and results;

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on the Commission to increase the attractiveness of EU cohesion policy funding through further simplification and flexibility measures, as well as through reducing the number of regulations, in light of the recent recommendation by the the High Level Group on Simplification Monitoring, so that cohesion policy initiatives can be more beneficial to final recipients;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23 a. new Calls on the Commission to propose measures making the Stability and Growth Pact more growth-friendly and more conducive to long term investments, i.e. "patient capital" of European added value aimed at the financing of public needs that to do not correspond to the logic of the annualization of public expenditure and the dominant "trimestrialisation" of private financers;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Taking into consideration how EU cohesion policy contributes to positive identification with the European integration project, calls for the introduction of a compulsory percentage of technical assistance set aside for communication, both at programme and project level, and also of a mandatory project selection criterion linked to the quality of the communication activities proposed by each project promoter;deleted

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Taking into consideration how EU cohesion policy contributes to positive identification with the European integration project, calls ~~for the introduction of a compulsory percentage of technical assistance set aside for communication, both at programme and project level, and also of a mandatory project selection criterion linked to~~on management authorities and local and regional authorities to improve the quality of their communication on project results; points out that the main project selection criteria should be based on the quality of the project, expresses its wish that in future there will be also be balanced link with the quality of ~~the~~ communication activities proposed by each project promoter;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Taking into consideration how EU cohesion policy contributes to positive identification with the European integration project, calls for the in~~troduction of a compulsory percentag~~creased use of technical assistance ~~set aside~~ for communication, both at programme and project level~~, and also of a mandatory project selection criterion linked to the quality of the communication activities proposed by each project promoter~~;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Highlights the imperative of increasing the Union’s dialogue with citizens, rethinking communication channels and strategies, taking account of the opportunities offered by social networks and new digital technologies, and adapting messages to regional contexts;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Highlights the imperative of increasing the Union’s dialogue with citizens, rethinking communication channels and strategies and adapting messages to regional and local contexts;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Highlights the imperative of increasing the Union’s dialogue with citizens, rethinking communication channels and strategies and adapting messages to regional contexts; considers that there is a link between increasing of visibility of EU funding and knowledge dissemination, underlines therefore that educational contents are as important as media strategies and promotion via different platforms;

Amendment 14 #

Daniel BUDA, Lambert van NISTELROOIJ, Viorica DĂNCILĂ

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the multi-level governance model and the partnership principle implying enhanced coordination among public authorities, economic and social partners and civil society can effectively contribute to better communicating EU policy objectives and results;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Emphasizes in the context of communication and visibility, the need for further simplification of the policy post 2020, inter alia regarding the shared management and audit systems, in order to find the right balance between the result orientation of the policy and the level of checks and controls as well as simplification of procedures;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Stresses, moreover, that involving citizens and organisations in the decision- making process could contribute to enhancing the ownership of policy implementation; calls therefore on the Member States to consider implementing existing models of participatory governance, bringing together all relevant societal partners and involving stakeholders in a participatory budgeting process;deleted

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Stresses, moreover, that involving ~~citizens and organisations in the decision- making proces~~stakeholders, amongst which organisations that represent civil society, in the process of negotiating and implementing the Partnership Agreement and the Operational Programmes could contribute to enhancing the ownership of policy implementation; calls therefore on the Member States to consider implementing existing models of participatory governance, bringing together all relevant societal partners and involving stakeholders in a participatory budgeting process;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Stresses, moreover, that involving citizens and organisations in the decision- making process could contribute to enhancing the ownership and transparency of policy implementation; calls therefore on the Member States to consider implementing existing models of participatory governance, bringing together all relevant societal partners and involving stakeholders in a participatory budgeting process;

Amendment 144 #

Daniel BUDA, Lambert van NISTELROOIJ, Viorica DĂNCILĂ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Further insists on increasing urban-rural cooperation to develop territorial partnerships between cities and rural areas through fully exploiting the potential of synergies between EU funds and building on the expertise of urban areas and their greater capacity in managing fundStresses that sole competence for urban policy shall lie with the Member States and that the European Union should refrain from meddling in domestic affairs;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Emphasizes also the need to strengthen the role of interest groups as a channel for communication with its members, thereby improving the level and quality of information regarding European policies.

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Urges the Commission to also focus, in its action plan on communication, on strengthening cooperation among different Directorate-Generals, ministries,communicators at different levels, and on establishing an overview of target audiences, with a view to developing customised messages to better reach citizens on the ground;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Urges the Commission to also focus, in its action plan on communication, on strengthening cooperation among communicators at different levels, and on establishing an overview of target audiences, with a view to developing customised messages for specific target groups in order to better reach and inform citizens on the ground;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~a permanent dialogue and the engagement of civil society is essential in providing accountability and legitimacy for public policies, creating a s~~the European Union is intensifying its contacts with local authorities and civil society in order to limit the influensce of ~~shared responsibility and transparency in the decision-making process~~the Member States, assume new powers and sidestep the principles of subsidiarity;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Urges the Commission to also focus, in its action plan on communication, on strengthening cooperation among communicators at different levels, and on establishing an overview of target audiences, with a view to developing and transmitting customised messages to better reach citizens on the ground;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Further asks the Commission ~~to set up an EU e-communication platform on cohesion policy implementation that would collect all relevant data on ESI Funds projects, feedback from end-users~~and Member Sates to strenghten the role and position of already existing national communication and in~~dic~~formation~~s of whether or not the message communicated has been rece~~ networks, and to constantly evaluate if communication on cohesion policy is effectived;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Further asks the Commission to ~~set up an~~create an interactive EU e-communication platform on cohesion policy implementation that would collect all relevant data on ESI Funds projects~~, feedback from end-users and indications of whether or not the message communicated has been receiv~~ and would allow theend-users to give the feedback on the implementation process and the results delivered;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Calls on the Commission to consider the opportunities that the Europe for Citizens programme offers for providing better information on the results of Cohesion Policy;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas increasing the ~~visibility~~effectiveness of ESI Funds canould contribute to changing perceptions about ~~the effectiveness of~~ cohesion policy and to regaining citizens’ confidence ~~and interest in the European project~~;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas increasing the visibility of ESI Funds can contribute to ~~chang~~improving perceptions about the effectiveness of cohesion policy and to regaining citizens’ confidence and interest in the European project;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas information and communication should be improved not only downstream with regard to the concrete uses that ESI funds are put to but also upstream to make project initiators aware of funding possibilities;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

F a. whereas a coherent communication line is essential in order to avoid that a more popular and positive image of ESI Funds spending could be jeopardised by an overall negative communication on the EU and EU policies;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas cohesion policy ~~has contributed significantly to enhancing growth and jobs, and to reducing disparities among EU region~~makes it possible at best to slow the increase in the regional disparities generated by the policies of austerity implemented by Member States to satisfy the Commission's demands in terms of reducing public deficits;

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas increasing the visibility of ESI funds can help increase public involvement in the programming and implementation thereof;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas ~~methodologies for providing information and for the diversification of communication channels should be increased~~the funds set aside for European Union communication projects should be reassigned in their entirety to the structural and investment funds budget with a view to ensuring that these funds make the most effective contribution possible;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas methodologies for providing information and for the diversification of communication channels should be increased and improved;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas the High Level Group of Independent Experts on Monitoring Simplification set up by the Commission is studying specific ways of facilitating access to ESI funding in order to improve the regional impact of cohesion policy and make the funds easier to use under the future programming cycle;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that cohesion policy is supposed to be one of the main public vehicles of growth ~~that~~, aiming, through its European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), to ensures investment in all EU regions ~~and helps~~, to reduce disparities and to support competitiveness and growth;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 26 #

Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that cohesion policy is one of the main public vehicles of growth that, through its European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), ensures investment in all EU regions and helps reduce disparities and support competitiveness and growth; notes, that in order to ensure the sustainability of the recovery, public finances must be strengthened and investment promoted in particular in regions and member states with persistent and high long-term unemployment, including through the swift extension of the European Fund for Strategic Investment;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that cohesion policy is one of the main public vehicles of growth that, through its European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), ensures investment in all EU regions and helps reduce disparities and support competitiveness and growth; stresses that providing information and communicating on the aims, funding opportunities and results of cohesion policy programmes and projects is therefore a key task for the Managing Authorities and the beneficiaries in the Member States;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes~~, on the other hand, that~~ with concern the progressive decline in overall public awareness and perceptions ~~about~~regarding the effectiveness of the EU’'s regional policy ~~have been declining over the years~~; refers to the Eurobarometer 423 of September 2015 in which just over a third (34%) of Europeans affirm they have heard about EU co- financed projects improving the quality of life in the area where they leave;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes, on the other hand, that overall public awareness and perceptions about the effectiveness of the EU’s regional policy have been declining over the years; refers to the Eurobarometer 423 of September 2015 in which just over a third (34%) of Europeans affirm they have heard about EU co-financed projects improving the quality of life in the area where they leave; stresses, moreover, that, asked to identify specific domains that should be targeted for investment, an overwhelming majority of respondents (91%) mentioned education, health and social infrastructure as an important domain and that nearly nine in ten (86%) of those interviewed highlighted the importance of environmental policy;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas, the principal findings of an independent evaluation drawn up for the Commission concerning EU investments in 2007-2013, with specific reports for each Member State, are as follows: a million jobs were created, that is to say one-third of total net job creation in the EU over that period, with additional GDP of EUR 2.74 for every euro of cohesion policy funding invested, producing an estimated EUR 1 trillion in additional GDP by 2023;

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Considers that the quality of projects funded under the ESI Funds and their tangible results are a pre-requisite for positive communication on ESI Funds; Underlines therefore that highest ambitions must remain in project selection, implementation and finalization as well as to continue focusing on achieving results in order to create publicity;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Draws attention to the challenge, that misuse or mis-allocation of ESI Funds, failed projects or wasteful spending may also give rise to increased visibility of cohesion policy; Emphasises that all efforts must be mobilised to avoid this kind of negative visibility by constantly investing in improving the quality of ESI Funds spending;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should remain primarily the responsibility of ~~local and reg~~national authorities, ~~as they constitute the most effectiv~~insofar as the Member States fund the ient~~erface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them~~irety of the European Structural and Investment Funds;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should ~~remain primarily the responsibility of local and regional authorities, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them~~be the joint responsibility of the Commission and of local and regional authorities;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that the EU and its Member States should appropriately share the responsibility of ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments ~~should remain primarily the responsibility of~~, where local and regional authorities have a special role, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should ~~remain primarily~~be amongst others also the responsibility of local and regional authorities, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should remain primarily the responsibility of ~~local and regional authorit~~managing authorities and beneficiaries, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should remain primarily the responsibility of the competent national authorities, and in particular local and regional authorities, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should remain primarily the responsibility of the managing authorities, local and regional authorities, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should remain primarily the responsibility of local and regional authorities, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them and know better the existing situation and needs at local and regional level;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the reprogramming of the European structural and investment funds intended to finance the reception of illegal migrants seriously diminishes their effectiveness and further distances them from the initial aims of cohesion policy;

Amendment 40 #

Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should remain primarily the responsibility of local and regional authorities, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them; underlines the significance of the regional dimension of the European Fund for Strategic Investment, highly important for regions with geographical handicaps and difficulties;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ensuring the visibility of cohesion policy investments should remain primarily the responsibility of local and regional authorities, as they constitute the most effective interface of communication with citizens by bringing Europe closer to them; stresses that improving the visibility of the European funds requires communication and transparency efforts at grassroots level;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses the need for the Commission to assume overall responsibility for the formulation of European communication strategies designed to increase awareness of the use of ESI funds;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Stresses that it is nevertheless the responsibility of the regional and local authorities, which are most effective interface for communication with citizens, to provide information in situ regarding ESI fund implementation and performance achieved;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that providing visibility for a policy involves a two-sided process of communication and interaction with partners; highlights, moreover, that, in the context of complex challenges, and in order to ensure legitimacy and provide effective long-term solutions, public authorities need to involve relevant stakeholders in the ~~decision-making proces~~process of negotiation and implementation of the Partnership Agreement and the Operational Programmes;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that providing visibility for a policy involves a two-sided process of communication and interaction with partners; highlights, moreover, that, in the context of complex challenges, and in order to ensure legitimacy and provide effective long-term solutions, public authorities need to involve relevant stakeholders ~~in the decision-making proces~~at all stages in the implementation of Partnership Agreements and programmes;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that providing visibility for a policy involves a two-sided process of communication and interaction with partners; highlights, moreover, that, in the context of complex challenges, and in order to ensure legitimacy and provide effective long-term solutions in line with the partnership principle, public authorities need to involve relevant stakeholders in the decision-making process;

Amendment 47 #

Stanislav POLČÁK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Points out that measures that lead to increased visibility in the performance of European Structural and Investment Funds must be selected with care and consideration as regards their nature and extent, as inappropriate or inadequate means of communication may conflict with the interests of such visibility;

Amendment 48 #

Stanislav POLČÁK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Notes that when formulating measures that lead to increased visibility in the performance of European Structural and Investment Funds, one must not lose sight of the fact that the best form of advertising is the meaningfulness and usefulness of the projects being implemented;

Amendment 49 #

Daniel BUDA, Lambert van NISTELROOIJ, Viorica DĂNCILĂ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

~~5. Notes in this context the uneven progress registered across Member States towards streamlining administrative procedures in terms of the broader involvement of local partners;~~deleted

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas the added value of Cohesion Policy through the ESI Funds goes beyond their proven positive economic, social and territorial impact as they show the commitment of Member States and regions towards strengthening European integration;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Not~~Stresses in this context the uneven progress registered across Member States towards streamlining administrative procedures in terms of the broader involvement of local partners;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes in this context the uneven progress registered across Member States towards streamlining administrative procedures in terms of the broader involvement of local partners including from civil society;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes in this context the uneven progress registered across Member States towards streamlining administrative procedures in terms of the broader involvement of regional and local partners;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes in this context the uneven progress registered across Member States towards streamlining administrative procedures in terms of the broader involvement of local and regional partners;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Underlines that the results of using the ESI Funds have been all the more effective since they formed part of the Europe 2020 strategy. The Europe 2020 Strategy has not only served as the integrated, long-term European strategy for economic, social and environmental development but also as an ownership and communication support for ESI Funds. Considering that a new development strategy must serve as a framework for the next programming period, wonders to what extent the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) can fulfil this role, provided that they would be supported by European governance mechanisms;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Points to the increase in Euro~~scep~~- fanaticism and ~~in anti-~~Europ~~ean~~hile propaganda that distorts information on Union policies; stresses therefore the urgent need to develop communication strategies that are capable of conveying an accurate message to citizens on the added value of the European project for their quality of life and prosperity;

Amendment 56 #

Raymond FINCH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Points to the celebrated increase in Euroscepticism and in anti-European propaganda that distorts information on Union policies; stresses therefore the urgent need to develop communication strategies that are capable of conveying an accurate message to citizens on the added value of the European project for their quality of life and prosperity, which is capable of conveying an accurate message to citizens on the undemocratic process of the EU and its wasteful and failing projects;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Points alarm to the increase in Euroscepticism and in anti-European populist propaganda that distorts information on Union policies; stresses therefore the urgent need to develop communication strategies that are capable of conveying an accurate message to citizens on the added value of the European project for their quality of life and prosperity;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Points to the increase in Euroscepticism and in anti-European propaganda that distorts information on Union policies; stresses therefore the urgent need to develop ~~communication strategie~~and maintain more effective communication strategies via a variety of media platforms that are capable of conveying an accurate message to citizens on the added value of the European project for their quality of life and prosperity;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Points to the increase in Euroscepticism and in anti-European propaganda that distorts information on Union policies; stresses therefore the urgent need to develop communication strategies on national, regional and local level that are capable of conveying an accurate message to citizens on the added value of the European project for their quality of life and prosperity;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas EU cohesion policy funding ~~has~~could have an overall positive impact on both the economy and citizens’ lives~~, but the results have not always been well communicated and awareness of its positive effects remains rather low~~ if the European structural and investment funds were devoted solely to them;

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Points to the increase in Euroscepticism and in anti-European propaganda that distorts information on Union policies; stresses therefore the urgent need to develop communication strategies that are capable of conveying an accurate and coherent message to citizens on the added value of the European project for their quality of life and prosperity;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that making cohesion policy results more visible will heighten public awareness of the presence of Europe at regional level, bridging the gap between the EU and its citizens and dispelling the prejudices generated by mostly populist disinformation;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Invites the European Commission and the Council to thoroughly analyse the underlying causes of the Euro-scepticism and to adequately address the underlying issues that may foster it, thus not merely indulging in an aprioristic and uncritical defence of the status quo;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6 b. Calls on the European Commission and the Council to consider if, in both current framework and in the post-2020 reform of Cohesion Policy, measures aimed at strengthening the link with the European semester and at implementing structural reforms via programmes financed by ESI Funds, could provoke an increase of a negative perception of the EU policies and could further undermine trust in the European project among the European citizens and the local and regional authorities;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Acknowledges the limitations of the legal framework as regards ensuring that cohesion policy has adequate visibility; stresses that, as a result, communication on its tangible achievements has not so far been a priority for the different stakeholders; especially deplores the fact that the technical assistance of the ESI Funds contains no dedicated envelope for communication, which negatively impacts on both the scale and quality of the dissemination process;deleted

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Acknowledges the limitations of the legal framework as regar~~Refers to Article 115 and Annex XII of the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 on information and communication on support from the Funds, ensuring that cohesion policy has adequate visibility; ~~stresses that, as a result,~~is of the opinion that the prescripted communication ~~on its~~activities on tangible achievements has not so far been a priority for the different stakeholders; especially deplores the fact that the technical assistance of the ESI Funds contains no dedicated envelope for communication, which negatively impacts on both the scale and qualshould be constantly updated; deplores the fact that effective communication has not always been a priority ofor the di~~ssemination proces~~fferent stakeholders;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Acknowledges the limitations of the legal framework as regards ensuring that cohesion policy has adequate visibility; stresses that, as a result, communication on its tangible achievements has not so far been a priority for the different stakeholders; ~~especially deplores the fact~~notes that the technical assistance of the ESI Funds contains no dedicated envelope for communication~~, which negatively impacts on both the scale and quality of the dissemination process~~;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Reiterates the imperative of finding a proper balance between the need for simplification of the rules governing the implementation of cohesion policy and the need to preserve sound financial management and fight against fraud while properly communicating this to the public;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Stresses that misleading information regarding structural fund fraud, often confused by the news channels with simple irregularities, increases public distrust of the of European institutions and local administrations;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines that it is essential to increase ownership of the policy on the ground in order to ensure efficient delivery and communication of the results; appreciates that the partnership principle adds value to the implementation of European public policies, as confirmed by a recent Commission study, but points out that mobilising partners remains rather difficult on account of their diversity and, sometimes, conflicts of interestindispensable to ensure efficient delivery of the action taken on the ground using ESI funds in order to increase ownership of cohesion policy;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas EU cohesion policy funding has a~~n overall~~ positive impact on both the economy and citizens’ lives, but the results have not always been well communicated and awareness of its positive effects remains rather low;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines that it is essential to increase ownership of the policy on the ground in order to ensure efficient delivery and communication of the results; appreciates that the partnership principle adds value to the implementation of European public policies, as confirmed by a recent Commission study, but points out that mo~~bilis~~re efforts and resources need to be invested ing partners ~~remains rather difficult on account of their diversity and, some~~hip involvement, exchange of experience among partners and dialogue platforms for them also in view of making them multipliers of EU funding opportunitimes~~, conflicts of inter~~ and successest;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines that it is essential to increase ownership of the policy on the ground in order to ensure efficient delivery and communication of the results; appreciates that the partnership principle adds value to the implementation of European public policies, as confirmed by a recent Commission study, but ~~points out that mobilising partners remains rather difficult on account of their diversity and, sometimes, conflicts of interest~~stresses that involvement of partners is frequently achieved through formal implementation of the partnership principle, without allowing real and active participation of ESI fund recipients in the governance process;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines that it is essential to increase ownership of the policy on the ground, both locally and regionally, in order to ensure efficient delivery and communication of the results; appreciates that the partnership principle adds value to the implementation of European public policies, as confirmed by a recent Commission study, but points out that mobilising partners remains rather difficult on account of their diversity and, sometimes, conflicts of interest;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recalls also the long-term strategic nature of cohesion policy investments, meaning that sometimes results are not seen immediately, which is detrimental to the visibility of its instruments, especially in comparison with other Union tools such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI); stresses, moreover, that while the results of certain investments (especially investments in human capital) are less visible and harder to quantify than 'physical' investments, this should in no way undermine their legitimacy;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recalls also the long-term strategic nature of cohesion policy investments, meaning that sometimes results are not seen immediately, which is detrimental to the visibility of its instruments, especially in comparison with other Union tools such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI); calls for a more detailed evaluation of the long-term impact of cohesion policy in the Member States' labour markets, with a particular focus on the type-and not only on the number-of jobs created by ESI Funds;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recalls also the long-term strategic nature of cohesion policy investments, meaning that sometimes results are not seen immediately, which is detrimental to the visibility of its instruments, especially in comparison with other Union tools such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI); is of the opinion, therefore, that more attention should be paid to the ex post evaluation and the communication about the contribution of ESI Funds to the Union's strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recalls also the long-term strategic nature of cohesion policy investments, meaning that sometimes results are not seen immediately, which is detrimental to the visibility of its instruments, especially in comparison with other Union tools such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI); urges, therefore, that communication activities should continue until 4 years after closure of the project when results of a project are clearly visible;

Amendment 77 #

Raymond FINCH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Not~~Stresses the important role ofthat the media in informing citizens on EU affairs; regrets nevertheless the rather limited coverage of EU cohesion policy investments; stresses the need to develop communication strategies that are adapted to the current informational challenges and takshould be performing, which is to be acting as a scrutinising body and informing citizens correctly in a non biased capacity on EU affairs; considers that there has been a huge accmount of ~~digital advancements and the mix of different types of media channels~~fake news linked with pro-EU media outlets circulated;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the important role of the media in informing citizens on EU affairs; regrets nevertheless the rather limited coverage of EU cohesion policy investments; stresses the need to develop communication strategies that are adapted to the current informational challenges and take account of digital advancements and the mix of different types of media channels;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the important role of the media in informing citizens on ~~EU affairs~~various EU policies and EU affairs in general; regrets nevertheless the rather limited coverage of EU cohesion policy investments; stresses the need to develop information campaigns to highlight projects that have achieved visible results through cohesion policies and communication strategies that are adapted to the current informational challenges and take account of digital advancements and the mix of different types of media channels;

Amendment 8 #

Tamás DEUTSCH

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

~~C. whereas there should be a clear link between the level of funding available for each Member State and the level of awareness of local EU-funded programmes;~~deleted

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the important role of the media in informing citizens on EU affairs; regrets nevertheless the rather limited coverage of EU cohesion policy investments; stresses the need to develop communication strategies that aim at the media and are adapted to the current informational challenges, and deliver information in an accessible and attractive form and take account of digital advancements and the mix of different types of media channels;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the important role of the media in informing citizens on EU affairs; regrets nevertheless the rather limited coverage of EU cohesion policy investments; stresses the need to develop communication strategies that are adapted to the current informational challenges and take a~~ccount~~dvantage of digital advancements and the mix of different types of media channels available in order to better utilize these when promoting opportunities provided and achievements delivered by ESI Funds;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes the important role of the media in informing citizens on EU affairs; regrets nevertheless the rather limited media coverage of EU cohesion policy investments; stresses the need to develop communication strategies that are adapted to the current informational challenges and take account of digital advancements and the mix of different types of media channels;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 85 #

Daniel BUDA, Lambert van NISTELROOIJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase the coordination and accessibility of existing communication means and instruments at EU level, with a view to addressing topics that have an impact on the EU agenda; emphasises in this context the importance of communicating effectively, possibly as part of the future Europe for Citizens programme, on how cohesion policy implementation delivers concrete results for the daily life of EU citizens;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase the coordination and accessibility of existing communication means and instruments at EU level, with a view to addressing topics that have an impact on the EU agenda; emphasises in this context the importance of communicating effectively on how cohesion policy implementation delivers concrete results for the daily life of EU citizens; calls on the management authorities and beneficiaries to communicate actively and in systematic way the results, benefits and long term impact of the policy, having in mind the different stages of projects' developments;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls on the Committee on Regional Development to focus solely on its primary objectives, namely to use the ESI funds to reduce regional and sub- regional disparities; reiterates, therefore, that the entirety of these funds should be devoted to meeting those sole objectives and that any other superfluous expenditure, and most notably spending on communication, seriously harms the effectiveness of cohesion policy; insists that no budget should be allocated to communication and calls for the public disclosure of any sums that are so that our fellow citizens are made aware of the extent to which the EU wastes money;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. calls on the Commission to draw up specific guidelines setting out techniques and methods of communication regarding the implementation of cohesion policy, indicating clearly the core elements that all relevant information campaigns should contain in order to make ESI- funded projects quickly and easily recognisable.

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Points out that, given the quantity and quality of information transmitted on traditional and modern media, it is no longer enough simply to display the Commission logo on project description panels; calls on the Commission to devise more effective means of identification

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the~~re should be a clear link between the level of funding available for each~~ European structural and investment funds are funded in their entirety out of the national contributions of the Member States and ~~the level of awareness of local EU-funded programmes~~it would be helpful to remind our fellow citizens of this fact, misled as they are by Europhile propaganda;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the current specific communication activities, such as the ‘Europe in My Region’ campaign, the Commission’s ‘EU Budget for Results’ web application, the cooperation with CIRCOM Regional16 , and the opportunities provided by the newly created European Solidarity Corps, with a view to increasing awareness of cohesion policy impact on the ground; stresses moreover the need to concentrate efforts on reaching students and journalists as potential communication vectors, and on ensuring a geographical balance in the communication campaigns; _________________ 16Professional Association of Regional Public Service Television in Europe.deleted

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the current specific communication activities, such as the ‘Europe in My Region’ campaign, the Commission’s ‘EU Budget for Results’ web application, the cooperation with CIRCOM Regional16 , and the opportunities provided by the newly created European Solidarity Corps, with a view to increasing awareness of cohesion policy impact on the ground, both locally and regionally; stresses moreover the need to concentrate efforts on reaching students and journalists as potential communication vectors, and on ensuring a geographical balance in the communication campaigns; _________________ 16 Professional Association of Regional Public Service Television in Europe.

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Invites National, Regional and Local Authorities to provide DG REGIO, DG EMPL, DG AGRI, DG MARE with timely and detailed information on the financial data and the achievements of the relevant operational programmes, also in order to enhance the ESI Funds Open Data Platform and increase the transparency, accountability and comparability of the implementation of the programmes in the Member States;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the need to adjust the communication arrangements in the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, in the sense of providing a specific envelope for communication within the technical assistance, as well as increasing the binding publicity requirements for cohesion policy projects;deleted

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the need to adjust the communication arrangements in the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, ~~in the sense of providing a specific envelope for communication within the technical assistance,~~ as well as increasing the binding publicity requirements for cohesion policy projects;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 97 #

Daniel BUDA, Lambert van NISTELROOIJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the need to adjust ~~the~~ communication arrangements in the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, in the sense of providing a specific envelope for communication within the technical assistance, as well as increasing the binding publicity requirements for cohesion policy projects; calls on the Commission to provide clear guidance on how precisely the technical assistance for communication could be used in the current funding period in the interest of legal certainty for local and regional authorities and other beneficiaries;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Underlines the need to adjust ~~the~~ communication arrangements in the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, in the sense of providing a specific envelope for communication within the technical assistance, as well as increasing the binding publicity requirements for cohesion policy projects; calls on the Commission to provide during 2017 a clear guidance on how the technical assistance for communication could be used in the current funding period in the interest of legal certainty for local and regional authorities and other beneficiaries;

Amendment 99 #