On Thursday 15 October, the European Commission published a manifesto written by young people with a dozen recommendations to improve European territorial cooperation (Interreg), on the occasion of the fund's 30th anniversary and in view of the upcoming budget cycle.
For example, the signatories of this manifesto call for Interreg to be more focused on the issues facing young people, helping them to acquire skills and find employment. They also propose that the rules should be simplified and communication facilitated by making greater use of digital tools.
In general, these young people are calling for Interreg to be more climate change oriented and to allow for greater citizen participation in the decision-making process and the implementation of Interreg.
The signatories' proposals include (non-exhaustive list): - creation of digital platforms, with a clear timetable; - facilitation of the participation of civil society organisations and young people; - planning of regular thematic meetings (e.g. two per year) on Interreg issues with young people; - participation of young people in meetings of relevant European groups and networks, such as the annual Interreg meetings, or the Interreg Communication Officers' Network.
Inter-institutional negotiations on Interreg should start once the negotiations on React-EU are completed (see EUROPE 12581/26).
To read the manifesto: https://bit.ly/3keZvQN (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)