Kai Zenner

🗳️ 64% of young Europeans intend to vote in the next European elections on 6-9 June. When it comes to youth and democracy, the latest Eurobarometer survey shows that European youth are active and ready to engage: 🙋 64% said that they have taken part in youth organisations' activities in the past 12 months; ✍️ 48% reported that they had taken action to change society including signing a petition or participating in a rally. Among the topics they are most active: 📣 34% human rights 📣 33% climate change and environment 📣 29% health and wellbeing 📣 29% equal rights The voices and ideas of young Europeans are essential for the future of our Union. #UseYourVote #EUelections2024 #Eurobarometer

3

🗳️ 64% of young Europeans intend to vote in the next European elections on 6-9 June. When it comes to youth and democracy, the latest Eurobarometer survey shows that European youth are active and ready to engage: 🙋 64% said that they have taken part in youth organisations' activities in the past 12 months; ✍️ 48% reported that they had taken action to change society including signing a petition or participating in a rally. Among the topics they are most active: 📣 34% human rights 📣 33% climate change and environment 📣 29% health and wellbeing 📣 29% equal rights The voices and ideas of young Europeans are essential for the future of our Union. #UseYourVote #EUelections2024 #Eurobarometer

6

🇪🇺 I share my interview published in #EUPoliticalReport as President of Assembly of European Regions (AER) 🗣️ “Regional interests still face significant challenges in European decision-making and policy design” https://lnkd.in/dtUmZPZq

16

1 Comment

🔴 Do you wish to go deeper into what happened in EU Affairs and beyond thsi month? 👉 The ninth issue of our newsletter "The Finder" is out! You can read it here 👇

1

Last week, ARTICLE 19 published a #manifesto for the next European Commission . Yesterday I echoed our main calls in a short piece for Euractiv under the headline “The next European Commission needs to address information power”. A new Commission should focus its energies on effective implementation and enforcement of existing legislation focusing on the #DMA #DSA #EMFA #AI Act and #SLAPPs Directive in an effort to ensure #informationintegrity, #freedomofexpression, #protectionofjournalists #mediafreedom. https://lnkd.in/eTrZmGp4 #digitalrights #EuropeanCommission #marketconcentration #freedomofexpression #informationintegrity

69

1 Comment

The European Commission's latest #Eurobarometer on energy is out. As it compares with data from 2019 it is also somewhat contrasts the development of citizens views and that of policy delivered. Some first impressions going rapidly through the material: #ChallengeOne: In May 2019 European energy policy meant driving European climate neutrality to most people. After five years of policy delivery in this direction citizens now see energy policy to mean delivering affordable prices. Only 25% of citizens believed the EU had provided value added in terms of cost of energy over the last five years. #ChallengeTwo: Few back in 2019 and still few today see the EU energy policy to mean coordination of member states in energy matters. 60% of citizens see only roles for limited coordination and only 20% see it as priority for the next 5 years to reinforce cooperation among member states. Court of auditors has questioned the efforts of joint purchase during the energy crisis, seems citizens are equally less convinced of such coordination efforts, only 20% believed the EU provided value added in securing energy supplies and preventing black-outs over the last five years. #ChallengeThree: Only 40% sees electrification of all possible uses of energy as first choice of policy to reach carbon neutrality in 2050. The winner is actually #NegaJoule, energy efficiency. Now, electrification is a big part of realizing efficiency gains, however perhaps the most effective driver of energy efficiency is higher prices ... a conundrum given #ChallengeOne. #ChallengeFour: Only 8% believes market dynamics and minimum EU intervention will help European business to be competitive. If not markets, then governments but if not coordinated (#ChallengeTwo) then how deliver on boosting competitiveness? https://lnkd.in/eBR8iQHE

13

🇪🇺🇭🇺Today I represented my unit #ONAF (Office national anti-fraude) at a meeting for the LEWP-Customs under the Hungarian presidency of the EU. 👮‍♀️👮🏼I made a presentation regarding the #EMPACT OAP #EXCISE and the #OA 4.1 for which we are the leaders alongside our co-leaders 🇮🇪🇪🇸🇬🇧🇵🇱. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🚬1) What is the structure of the OCGs involved in #Tobacco trafficking? (Smuggling or illicit production) 📈📂2) What is their business model? 💰🔄3) How do they launder the money? 🔎💪4) How can we improve the fight through best practices especially regarding financial investigations? 💶🏠This fight is also about tracking, identifying and seizing criminal assets in order to confiscate all the proceeds of crime and deprive them of the most important tool for them : financial means. 🤝🚨Transnational crimes can only be beaten through international cooperation.

50

3 Comments

❗ The energy challenges facing our politicians in the coming decades are enormous. Elia presented an energy compass with the main challenges but, above all, solutions 🗺 Read it here ⬇

21

Facts matter - especially during elections! 🗳️   At the Joint Research Centre (JRC) use #TextMining & #AI to spot disinformation narratives, trends and timing.   Our work contributed to the European Commission's assessment of online information interference in the 2024 EP elections.   Good news: no major impact of disinformation was detected during the elections!   We believe that evidence-based research and analysis are crucial in supporting democracy and informing policy decisions. Our work helps shed light on the complex issues of disinformation and foreign interference. The insights that such research provides can inform effective countermeasures.   We will keep researching how disinformation spreads online to understand it better and to help identify possible solutions.   We're committed to supporting #democracy through our work, and we're proud to be part of the EU's efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and fact-based decision-making.   🔗 Check VP Věra Jourová's report here: https://lnkd.in/ey9gi2FR   EU Science, Research and Innovation

71

2 Comments

The European Commission published yesterday it’s FAQ on the #DataAct, which will enter into force in September 2025. Many points remain unclear for companies on its interpretation and implementation and AFEP has been contributing to the flow of questions gathered by DG CONNECT which led to this publication. However, it is important to note that this document, which is non binding, is a “living” text which the Commission will continue to feed. And that companies should not forget to also contact and question their sectoral DGs, which are consulted prior to publications, if they have sectoral problems that remain to be clarified. #datastrategy #datasharing

27

1 Comment

The EUR210 million Pilot Programmatic Partnership (PPP) is an innovative and ambitious three-year partnership between the IFRC, 36 of our member National Societies, and the European Union - European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). The programme tests a new model for humanitarian partnership. This partnership provides strategic, flexible, longer-term, and predictable funding, so that humanitarian support can be delivered more efficiently and effectively. Thanks to this programmatic partnership between the IFRC & the European Union we have reached over 8 million people in 24 countries. Our Stronger, Faster, Safer, Closer campaign, launched today, showcases the Programmatic Partnership as a driving force of innovation. It shows through stories of community-driven humanitarian action how universal values of teamwork, ambition and dedication can support communities worldwide to reduce their risks and be better prepared for disasters and health emergencies.

58

1 Comment

🎙 As part of the ongoing hearing process for the new European Commission, all Commissioner-designates have received written questions from the #EP to address key policy areas and priorities. The responses now publicly available now 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6NiZfCM 💡 In her responses, Research Commissioner-designate Zaharieva reassured many stakeholders by confirming that "one top priority will be the development of the next Framework Program for Research and Innovation." This statement addresses earlier concerns and rumors that the new #FP might not be drafted or would undergo significant changes. ◾ On the topic of #fundamental vs. #applied research, she said that "I will work to expand the European Research Council and the European Innovation Council in the next budgetary period, to focus more on strategic priorities, on groundbreaking fundamental research and disruptive innovation, and on scientific excellence". ◾ On #innovation, there will be a proposal of a new "EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy and a European Innovation Act in order to provide the right environment for our start-ups to grow. They will address legal barriers and administrative burden thanks to an EU-wide legal status for start-ups and innovative companies (‘28th regime’). I plan to expand the European Innovation Council to further boost support for start-ups and scale-ups in strategic fields, for example #quantum, #artificialintelligence, #biotech, #advancedmaterials and #space". ◾ On other initiatives, "a Strategy to increase and to guide the #AI uptake in #science. I will also engage with the relevant players to develop a Strategy for European #LifeSciences, which will cover also #biotechnology. I will also propose targeted actions for critical sectors and deliver an Advanced Materials Act, supporting manufacturing and deployment of advanced materials in Europe".  ◾ On EIA vs ERAA, The European Innovation Act, complementary to the European Research Area Act, will support the simplification of our regulatory framework, accelerate the deployment of innovation, facilitate access to venture capital and support start-ups and scale-ups testing such as with “sandboxes”.  ◾ On #ERC vs #EIC, "I plan to expand the European Research Council and the European Innovation Council, which have proven their added value". 📃 The full responses from Research Commissioner-designate Zaharieva 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZfx9Ug4

2

📢 The mission letters of #EU Commissioners-designate are out: https://lnkd.in/eWjSJ99g 🔎 Here is a brief summary of the mission letters on #research, #innovation, #defence, #space and #industry: 🔷 Commissioner-designate for Startups, Research and Innovation (Ekaterina Zaharieva): 🔻expand the #EIC and #ERC 🔻European Research Act to guarantee a "fifth freedom" 🔻long term strategy to boost European Research #Infrastructure 🔻strengthen #University Alliances 🔻European Innovation Act 🔻EU #startup and #scaleup strategy 🔻Network of Trusted Investors 🔻strategy for European #LifeSciences 🔻EU #Biotech Act 🔻work on #Advanced Materials Act 🔻set up a European #AI Research Council 🔻strengthen #researchsecurity and reinforce international research and innovation cooperation 🔻#HorizonEurope and #EUMissions, and #NewEuropeanBauhaus 🔶 Commissioner-designate for #Defence and #Space (Andrius Kubilius): 🔻White Paper on the Future of European Defence 🔻how to enhance Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness 🔻strengthen the #dualuse transport infrastructure corridors and harness the EU's dual-use and civil-military potential 🔻Single Market for Defence products and services 🔻Increase the aggregation of demand for defence assets 🔻propose Defence Projects of Common European Interest 🔻implementation of European Defence Industrial Strategy 🔻reinforce the European Defence Fund 🔻strengthening EU - #NATO partnership 🔻implementation of the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence 🔻foster strong and innovative #spaceindustry (focus on #Copernicus, #Galileo, EGNOS, GOVSATCOM and IRIS2) 🔻proposal for an EU Space Law and introduction of common EU standards and rules for space activities 🔻propose a Space #Data Economy Strategy 🔷 Executive Vice-President-designate for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy (Stéphane Séjourné) 🔻A new #industrial strategy 🔻Clean Industrial Deal 🔻Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act and implementation of the Net Zero Industry Act 🔻develop the future European #Competitiveness Fund 🔻set up new Important Projects of Common European Interest (#IPCEIs) 🔻revision of #PublicProcurement directives 🔻develop a horizontal #SingleMarket Strategy 🔻new category of small #midcaps 🔻set up the EU Critical Raw Materials Platform 🔻co-work on #CircularEconomy Act 🔻co-work on a new #Chemicals Industry Package 🔻develop a #steel and #metals action plan 🔻evaluation of Standardisation Regulation and ensure the intellectual property policy

18

I'm very proud to have contributed to the development of the EBSI Pan-European Blockchain, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at making information easy to verify and almost impossible to fake. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing trust in a privacy-preserving way as no data is stored on #Blockchain aside the public keys of issuers of information (authentic documents and data). Have a look to know more! #Innovation #EBSI #DigitalTransformation #Cybersecurity

39

I was honored to be invited by the European Policy Centre for the EU Democracy Reform Conversation: "The future of EU democracy in a new institutional cycle." I discussed strategies for enhancing citizen engagement, our recent work with the European Citizens Panel on hatred and the vital role civil society should play in the upcoming EU enlargement process. #EUCivilSociety #EUEnlargement

41

1 Comment

When German Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner, addresses the future of Cohesion Policy in Brussels tomorrow https://lnkd.in/eeJ-Q2Vb his key messages might be: - Cohesion Policy works best in less developed regions and Member States and should be concentrated on these areas, - Cohesion Policy fails to address interpersonal inequalities within lagging regions and needs to be streamlined, - the positive effects of Cohesion Policy are overestimated in many evaluation reports and - the European Added Value of Cohesion Policy is questionable and needs to be re-assessed. Very much in line with a ZEW study financed by the German Ministry of Finance to assess the reorientation of cohesion policy: https://lnkd.in/egkwtzM6.. https://lnkd.in/e6vnZPvn.. The exercise aims to challenge the future scope of Cohesion Policy across all EU regions. Restricting the policy to the poorest Member States and regions would significantly reduce its budget, potentially by a third as indicated by the European Commission in 2018 for the last MFF negotiations: https://lnkd.in/e-euFawx Promoting economic, social, and territorial cohesion is a fundamental value of the EU and a crucial element of the Single Market, as recently stated by Enrico Letta. Cohesion Policy is the only EU policy that has the principles of partnership and multi-level governance integrated in its legal set up. By doing so it allows the active engagement of municipalities and regions in the design and implementation of the policy by aligning EU-wide goals with place-based solutions. Limiting Cohesion Policy to only the most lagging behind regions and Members States would undermine the overall Treaty objective of Cohesion. It would also question the overall role of regions in the EU and challenge the concept of a Europe of the Regions that was the underling narrative for the Maastricht Treaty. Municipalities and regions would be only seen as stakeholders in the EU while in reality they are shareholders in our unique multi-level governance system in the EU. Limiting the scope of Cohesion Policy is therefore much more then purely a budgetary question. The recent European elections have emphasized the need for increased unity and cohesion to prevent exclusion and to strengthen democracy. It is clear that more Cohesion, not less, is needed to ensure the well-being of all its regions and citizens. The cost of no cohesion, is the cost of no Europe.

156

13 Comments

This week, the 🇪🇺 Member States shared their #vision for the #future of EU #digital policy. Here are my top three points of praise: 👏 The emphasis on prioritising the effective and efficient implementation of digital policies and encouraging a mid-term analysis of the interplay of horizontal and sectoral EU legislative acts in digital matters. 👏 The call for fostering synergies, avoiding duplication, and adopting a coordinated approach to prevent fragmentation of the EU’s Digital Single Market and ensure legal certainty. 👏 The focus on strengthening the EU’s leadership in global digital affairs. However, there are areas that need more attention: 🚀 While there's talk of empowering European tech, there are no specific measures for empowering European scale-ups. Europe should focus on enhancing competitiveness, enabling the re-use of data in a privacy-friendly manner, and better attracting and retaining talent. 👩‍💻 The call for better consumer empowerment regarding data understanding, managing screen time, and preventing misleading online practices is an important one. However, before adding new laws, we should map the existing ones to address overlaps and conflicts.

41

1 Comment

Two interesting messages Mario Draghi on the EU-approach after the sovereign debt crisis: “We pursued a deliberate strategy of trying to lower wage costs relative to each other and combine this together with a pro-cyclical fiscal policy. The net effect was only to weaken our own domestic demand and weaken our social model.” Eric Marlier on the employment and poverty targets: “(…) not surpringly, employment contributes effectively to better poverty outcomes. However, the second key message, also other factors are at play. Growth in employment is not enough on itself. I'll come back on data, impact assessments, etc. in a later post.

7

📢 As the EU goes to vote tomorrow, it's crucial to remember that the upcoming elections could significantly impact the EU's climate agenda. As political landscapes shift, so do priorities. This insightful article by Suzan Naz Uzel explores potential scenarios and their effects on environmental policies. It's a must-read! #EUElections #ClimateAction https://lnkd.in/ePxcd7gc

5