Michiel Scheffer 🟥

Flash Flood Breaker : very good example of an Interreg NWE project to understand what Interreg NWE is about : https://lnkd.in/eaE_RXT3 #NWEAnnualEvent

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"Will you commit, Mr. Commissioner-designate, to present a concrete plan for a clean steel industry in Europe within your first 100 days in office?" Today, during the hearing for Commissioner-designate Wopke Hoekstra on the "Climate, Net-Zero, and Clean Growth" portfolio, I emphasized the need for a clear plan to support a competitive and clean European steel industry. This plan must include dedicated funding sources and strong measures to protect European producers from massive imports outside the EU that threaten competitiveness.

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This is a unique opportunity for everyone with an interest in green cities to comment on the Actions proposed by the Greenin Cities Partnership of the Urban Agenda for the EU

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❗ 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 ⬇

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🏆 Conclusion of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU! 🏆 Yesterday marked the end of the #BelgianPresidency, characterised by a strong commitment to social policies that resonate with values I have come to appreciate during my 11 years in this remarkable country. The conclusion of this six-month term also marks the end of a more socially focused mandate for the European Commission, particular when compared with its predecessors. We look forward to even stronger commitments in the future. Here some key achievements of BE presidency in the social and health sectors: 🖋 Advancements in the #EuropeanHealthUnion to enhance health systems, crisis preparedness, and public health initiatives https://lnkd.in/ecMmrwAF 🖋 Adoption of the #EuropeanHealthDataSpace (along side the #AIact) to facilitate health data sharing and protection across member states https://lnkd.in/esSh7eSj 🖋 Implementation of new rules on #SubstancesofHumanOrigin to ensure safety and quality in medical procedures and products https://lnkd.in/eZZzp2Fd 🖋 #LaHulpeDeclaration, promoting the #EuropeanPillarofSocialRights and #SocialEurope https://lnkd.in/efkKiXk2 🖋 Tripartite Declaration for a stronger European #SocialDialogue https://lnkd.in/evh69CQk Let's see what comes next #HungarianPresidency https://lnkd.in/e-qfY_HM #EU2024 #SocialPolicy #HealthPolicy #FutureOfEurope #BelgianPresidency

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It was a pleasure to moderate the EESC Employers' Group evening debate with Klaus Welle and Doru Peter Frantescu on the results of the #EUelections2024 and anticipate the power game that will take place in the European Parliament and Council of the European Union during the next legislative and political cycle. A few takeaways: ▶ Professionalisation of far-right groups ▶ Progressive majority is dead. Coalition building will be fluid. We will have either a constructive or a destructive right. ▶ #Defence, #Enlargement, #Demographics will be key priorities, which will put the EU budget under pressure: We will need a 2.0 #NextGenerationEU to finance the political priorities of the next mandate. ▶ We should avoid being defensive. We need an ambitious agenda. Make sure "the cost of non-Europe" is factored in.

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#TUDelft and #CROW have investigated the interactions between human drivers and automated vehicles in mixed traffic in the #SAMEN project, which is essential for a transition to fully automated driving.  The project focused primarily on driving behavior, and the scientific results have been published in academic journals. A brandnew CROW publication produced by Marco Van Burgsteden (CROW) translates the scientific insights into practical applications for professionals, such as road authorities and driving education providers. With input from CROW, #RDW, and #Rijkswaterstaat, a systematic approach has been followed according to the CROW #assetmanagementmodel, aimed at #health, #safety, the #environment, and #accessibility. The document discusses a 'line of sight' for safe driving with automated vehicles in mixed traffic, based on existing ADAS applications, and offers possibilities for further improvement based on the SAMEN research. #SmartMobility #authonomousdriving #CCAM Many thanks to the project team: Supervisory team: Haneen Farah, Serge Hoogendoorn and Bart van Arem PhD Candidates: Nagarjun Reddy, Yongqi DONG and Yiyun W. Postdoc: Narayana Raju, Ph.D. CROW publication in English: https://lnkd.in/eQH4DZwY CROW publication in Dutch: https://lnkd.in/eytFNkdA projectwebsite: https://lnkd.in/ejTkGW9k

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The Circular Economy Act might not bring anything new to the table... The Circular Economy Act is by many considered a potential flagship initiative for the incoming Circular Economy Commissioner, Jessika Roswall. But it could be a disguise for not much new will happen. At the hearing in the European Parliament, Roswall dodged the question on if Act would include material- and consumption targets – emphasising governance as an important element instead[1]. It was also repeatedly mentioned that implementation of existing EU law will be a priority. Implementation (monitoring and technical assistance) is one of three building blocks considered for the Circular Economy Act[2]. The overall objective to create demand for secondary materials can be achieved via existing law. This includes setting recycled content requirements for products under the Ecodesign Regulation and Critical Raw Materials Act[3]. The objective to establish and improve a single market for waste via harmonisation can be achieved via existing legislation as well. For example, adopting end-of-waste criteria under the Waste Framework Directive[4]. The focus on e-waste might be addressed with a revision of the existing directive on waste from electrical and electronic equipment[5]. Similarly, the revision of the Public Procurement Directives to promote greener procurement is expected to be separate from the Circular Economy Act. That being said, “act” in EU law often translates into regulation (Digital Services Act, Critical Raw Materials Act, etc.). Changing this practice could cause confusion. In addition, it is mentioned that the Circular Economy Act could go “beyond the revision of the current framework where […] appropriate”[6]. It could include new Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. It is also uncertain how promoting circular business models might be supported; via new law, funds or a third option. Only time will tell, but it appears that circularity will be central in the coming years, underpinning competitiveness and EU strategic autonomy. Image from © European Union 2024 - Source : EP. Photographer Philippe BUISSIN

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Are you interested in applying to the European Innovation Ecosystem (EIE) Calls that are opening in June 2024? Register now for the Info Days and learn more about the specific requirements for each call! #horizoneurope #eie #euinnovationecosystems #infoday Baudewijn Morgan Ewa Bloch Jo Frost Nicolas Wallet Craig Sharp Louise Mothersole Catherine Holt Ben Morris Teresa Arumardi Clara King Sophie Mifsud

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Brussels is the most international city of the democrataic world. But do you know that there are as many as 315,000 eligible international voters who represent one third of all potential voters across the 19 Brussels communes? And that voters have more powers and more political choices at local level in Belgium than anywhere else in Europe? As the 2024 elections in Brussels are predicted to be very competitive and close, and a lot could change in your commune, don't give up your right to vote! Let's try to reduce the democratic deficit at the level closest to our daily lives. Signing up to vote is pretty simple and takes literally 1-2 minutes: https://lnkd.in/ex87-qgT More info: https://vote.brussels & an article in the comments. #elections #Brussels #Belgium

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🌍 Digital Transformation with a Social Focus 🌍 Deputy Mayor Faouzi Achbar is calling on the EU to ensure that social perspectives are a key consideration in the ongoing digital transformation efforts. It's crucial that we work together to create an inclusive digital society, where no one is left behind as technology advances. Let's build a future where innovation serves everyone! #DigitalTransformation #Inclusion #SocialImpact #InclusiveSociety #TechForGood #AIforGood See his message at: https://t.co/j83I5kg1YC

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Worth watching documentary of ARTE about the detrimental effects of privatisation on long term care in Europe. The documentary mentioned my opinion for EESC Workers' Group on the right of live- in care workers. There is also my short contribution to the documentary about the global care chain of migration in the sector. https://lnkd.in/ezyCiJC5

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🌟 'Functional areas are a powerful tool for territorial development in Europe' On July 12, an external seminar on Functional areas' role in strengthening Cohesion Policy was organised by the COTER commission, together with the Mayor of Balatonfüred. 🔎 The event offered a great opportunity to discuss the role of functional areas in advancing cohesion policy goals, and also to share the results and key insights from the 'Functional Areas in the EU' project, including the recently published 'Methodological Toolkit for functional areas' (2024) Find out more in the article published by the European Committee of Regions!

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COP29 is officially underway! 🌍 This means there’s just one week to go until our side-event 📢 ‘We must talk about resources – circular economy strategies to mitigate climate change’ 📅 21 November 🕒 13:30-15:00 CT (local time) 📍 BENELUX-EIB Pavilion, Baku Stadium (Blue Zone)   COP28 finally recognised the circular economy’s role in mitigating climate change, but now we must continue this conversation at COP29… Register now to join us online or in person for:  • A speech by Mr Chris Jansen, Minister for the Environment and Public Transport, the Netherlands, on the case for a circular economy in climate policy, including examples from NL of circular climate measures reducing both resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. 🌿 • Remarks by Mr Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), about the importance of tri-COP linkages between nature, climate and land, and how a circular economy plays a key role in meeting these targets. ♻️ • Practical insights into how policymakers can integrate circular strategies into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including examples of the Joint UNDP, UNEP and UNFCCC Secretariat “Building Circularity into NDCs – A Practical Toolbox” and the Guidance on Improving NDC Ambitions through Circular Action of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 🛠️  • A panel discussion on the importance of circular economy strategies to mitigate climate change, featuring Alana Craigen of the UNDP, Patrick Büker of GIZ, and Lisa Da Silva of the IFC - International Finance Corporation, with reflections on a common pathway towards global circularity. 🌐   If you are involved in circularity and/or climate policy, make sure you join us for this crucial discussion on why we need a circular economy that reduces waste 🗑️ conserves resources 💧 and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. 🔥 In-person spaces are limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis, so please register soon to get a spot! If you plan to watch online, you must also register to receive the streaming link. 🔗 Register and browse the full programme here! https://lnkd.in/euxEW4ng    #COP29 #CircularEconomy #Circularity #ClimateAction #ClimatePolicy #ClimateChange #SDG12 Dylan Bos Karla Ritsema Yoeri Dijkhof Dominic Smith Margreet H. Wessel Dikker Hupkes Sandra Onwijn Afke van Rijn Maaike Willemsen Josefien van de Ven One Planet network - 10YFP

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As the newly elected European Parliament and the European Commission under the renewed presidency of Ursula von der Leyen are set to begin their work, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the Management Board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and I have jointly published an article in POLITICO yesterday on why the EU needs to stay engaged in fragile contexts. In an interconnected, increasingly complex and fragile world, crisis, conflicts and wars quickly spill over. National or even continental borders become irrelevant. National solutions are no longer the answer to international challenges. The European Union has a special responsibility for its neighbouring continents and should play a leading role in international cooperation. Peace, poverty, stability and resilience are interconnected and should be dealt with in a comprehensive way. International cooperation benefits both European citizens and all countries in need. In this interconnected and increasingly fragile world we cannot exclude countries and regions outside Europe. We will be affected by a further increase in global social, economic and ecological crises and protracted violent conflicts. Neglecting that kind of assistance in fragile contexts is most likely to result in missed opportunities to reap the benefits of greater stability and peace. Read more here below.  https://lnkd.in/eMEgi5e7

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Trump inspired tit-for-tit tariff tensions will impact the entire European Union 🥴 But EU member states will loose by significantly different degrees 🙄 Interesting research from Danish Industry highlighting the exposure of Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands (the usual suspects) and many Central and Eastern European economies (Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia) to wider EU-US-China trade conflicts https://lnkd.in/gXuxcfi6

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How can it be? Not yet instaled, but already so #boomer the Belgian government! Indeed, the coalition of the future Belgian (ARIZONA) governement envisages to stop gender quotas on Boards of Directors of listed companies and in the federal public services in the broadest sense... an intiative supported at European level by the Parliament and the European Commission Despite the fact that we have already very positive evaluations of this gender policy, eg. https://lnkd.in/ec6qT24k https://lnkd.in/e4fGniCi

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Much more than a market...During the last Council’s working group on Better Regulation under the 🇧🇪Belgian presidency, we delved into the Letta report report on the future of the Single Market—an intriguing topic that will soon be followed by a report from another Italian ex-Prime Minister, Draghi. As the European Union continues to expand and evolve, so does its administration and legislation.⚠️ A dedicated subchapter of the report addresses the pressing need for simplifying 🇪🇺EU regulations. The Better Regulation Policy plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal. It revolves around designing EU policies and laws in an open and transparent manner, informed by the best available evidence, and backed by comprehensive stakeholder involvement. The objective? To achieve policy goals with minimal cost. Looking forward for next steps. But first EU elections🇪🇺 https://lnkd.in/d4ha2SiK

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