A Week of Future Visions, Policy Milestones, and Collaborative Successes ????

This week’s newsletter brings to light the dynamic progress and collaborative achievements that are defining the landscape of Cohesion Policy, European funding initiatives, and strategic partnerships across the EU. We remain dedicated to driving sustainable and inclusive growth, and each section within this newsletter illustrates significant steps forward in our collective mission. From pivotal policy approvals to innovative funding projects, our journey is marked by a shared commitment to enhancing Europe's economic, social, and environmental framework.

Call for Partners! Shaping the Future of Cohesion Policy Beyond 2027 ????

As the deadline approaches, we reiterate our call for national partners to actively participate in the discussions on the future of Cohesion Policy post-2027. This opportunity invites a diverse array of stakeholders, including NGOs and academic institutions, to contribute their perspectives. Selections for participation will be made based on a fair and transparent evaluation process, ensuring a balanced representation of interests.

Join us by April 29, 2024, and contribute to shaping policies that will impact the European landscape for years to come. More information on application process here .

Another Enabling Condition Confirmed! ??

Romania's recent accomplishment in meeting the European Commission 's enabling condition for Policy Objective 1 signifies a crucial milestone towards fostering a more competitive and intelligent Europe.

This enabling condition refers to the good governance of the national or regional smart specialization strategy, which includes the existence of a well-defined national or regional strategy, a strong commitment to its governance, including at regional level, and effective tools for monitoring and evaluating its impact. It also promotes collaboration through continuous entrepreneurial innovation processes, strengthens the research and innovation ecosystem and supports industrial transformation, together with strengthening international links in priority areas.

This approval enables access to substantial funding under the Cohesion Policy 2021-2027, highlighting our robust governance and commitment to continuous innovation and regional strategy development.

Thanking the European Commission , the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalisation and the other authorities involved for their exemplary cooperation and high standards, which guarantee continued access to European funds. ???? It's a pleasure to coordinate such projects!

National Transformation Highlighted at TSI Conference ??

This week started with significant discussions at the 'TSI On Support for NRRP in Romania' conference, emphasizing Romania's strategic national transformation. The gathering brought together experts from 世界银行 , the European Commission , and dedicated national and European leaders. Their collective efforts are steering Romania towards a future characterized by resilience, sustainability, and green growth, paving the way for transformative national projects.

Tackling Long-Term Unemployment with New ESF+ Call for Projects ??

Aiming to address the persistent challenge of long-term unemployment in the EU, the European Commission has opened a call for projects through the ESF+ with a dedicated budget of 23 million EUR! This initiative seeks to empower social economy organizations to support individuals affected by unemployment through innovative approaches and social integration projects, promising substantial funding for eligible projects. Organizations interested can submit their proposals by September 30, 2024. Don’t miss the online information session on May 28, 2024, and a matchmaking session to facilitate new partnerships! More details and instructions are available here .

Update on Cohesion Policy Project Submissions ??

The ongoing implementation of the Cohesion Policy has seen a remarkable intake of 5,879 project submissions to date. Regions like Bucuresti and Ilfov lead in EU contract value, showcasing the active regional engagement and the tangible impacts of the policy across Romania. These figures reflect the enthusiastic participation and successful deployment of European funds.

European Investment Bank Hosts Climate Adaptation Event ??

The European Investment Bank (EIB) 's ‘Adaptation Days’ are a focal point for discussing the urgent need for proactive climate adaptation measures. This event convened stakeholders from various sectors, including finance, insurance, and utilities, to exchange insights and explore effective climate resilience strategies. The discussions aimed to foster a collective approach to safeguarding our communities and economies against climate change.

Green Financing Explored on consolid8 Podcast ???

The recent episode of the consolid8 podcast provided a platform for an enlightening discussion on green investments and the European Green Deal. The conversation extended into various topics, including:

?? green investments in Romania

?? understanding the European Green Deal

?? public-private sectors collaboration

?? the STEP regulation and its benefits for the green and digital transition

?? the future of the Cohesion Policy, post-2027

The podcast will be broadcasted on April 30, on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube! Stay tuned.

Labor Market Thematic Enabling Condition is Approved! ?

The European Commission has confirmed that Romania meets the thematic enabling condition "4.1 Strategic policy framework for active labor market policies." This strategic framework includes profiling job seekers, providing up-to-date information on employment opportunities, and close collaboration with stakeholders for the efficient implementation of policies. Special emphasis is also placed on support for youth, offering personalized pathways and quality interventions. With this achievement, expenditures for these initiatives can now be reimbursed, accelerating progress in the "Education and Employment" and "Social Inclusion and Dignity" programs.

This is a major step forward in ensuring our policies are aligned with European standards and that we act in the interest of our citizens!

Thank you to the colleagues at Ministerul Investi?iilor ?i Proiectelor Europene , ANOFM - fii informat, fii activ , Ministerul Muncii si Solidaritatii Sociale, as well as the European Commission !

New Platform Supports Domestic Service Providers ???

A new digital platform, accessible at https://tichete.anofm.ro/ , has been introduced featuring a ticket system ??? designed to facilitate compensation for occasional domestic activities while providing social and health benefits to the service providers.

These service providers are able to build up contributions towards their pension and health insurance through an easy-to-use process that does not require a traditional employment contract. The platform acts as a direct interface for beneficiaries and providers of domestic services to connect. Additionally, employers have the opportunity to distribute these tickets as bonuses ?? to their employees, which count towards pension and health contributions.

This initiative not only aids underemployed individuals but also plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the goals of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, specifically achieving milestone 397 of #NRRP.

Kudos to the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity for the successful launch of this valuable platform. ????

Strategic Challenges and Future Directions for Cohesion Policy ??

During the panel debate at the 9th Cohesion Forum in Brussels, I shared insights into the strategic challenges facing the Cohesion Policy. To achieve balanced growth across Europe, we must address three critical issues:

1. Investment in Underdeveloped Regions: It's crucial to effectively invest in regions with poor socio-economic conditions and limited access to basic services and resources, to uplift these areas and improve living standards.
2. Bridging Connectivity Gaps: Closing the economic, technological, and physical connectivity gaps between Europe's flourishing and slower-growing regions is essential. This will ensure a more equitable distribution of resources, which currently tend to concentrate in more prosperous areas.
3. Overcoming Innovation Barriers in Central and Eastern Europe: This region faces significant challenges related to infrastructure, public services, and governance, which hinder innovation and the spread of opportunities. Addressing these barriers is key to fostering development and ensuring equitable growth across the continent.

These focal points are pivotal as we look towards a more cohesive future, promoting sustainable economic development and innovation throughout European regions. You can watch the full panel debate and all my interventions on YouTube here .

As we conclude this week's edition, we are reminded of the vibrant and impactful actions taken across Europe to enhance cohesion, innovation, and sustainability. Each initiative and accomplishment reported here reinforces our commitment to a resilient and prosperous European Union. We look forward to continuing our journey together, fostering advancements and partnerships that will shape the future of our continent.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support, thank you for following my updates here on LinkedIn!

Warm regards,

Teodora Preoteasa