ENGAGE: How should the EU spend our money?
The EU budget for the next 7 years could exceed a trillion euros. That’s an important source of investment at a time when due to reduced funding from national governments, EU funds have become the main source of public funding for social and economic development. The economic crisis has affected the entire EU and many countries have implemented austerity measures with widespread spending cuts to public health services, unemployment and welfare benefits, social security etc. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) rely on EU funds to carry out projects at grassroots level to improve employment opportunities and the quality of jobs, promote education and life-long learning and develop active inclusion policies, guarantee adequate social protection and develop quality social and health services.
Early in 2012 we developed proposals with our members to ensure that the next EU budget (Multiannual Financial Framework) provides adequate funding for social inclusion, the fight against poverty, access to quality employment and public services, the fight against discrimination, and the promotion of equal opportunities for all. We have also been asking for CSOs to be recognised as full partners in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes supported through this funding.
Read more about the next EU budget in our latest edition of ENGAGE and find out what we and our members have been working on.
