Author: Gorka Ibañez Eizaguirre
Did you know that you can have your say in the EU decision making process by replying to many EU public consultations?
Consultations are intended for citizens and stakeholders to give their views on the Commission’s initiatives and contribute to the decision-making process.
Currently, a lot of EU public consultations are ongoing, and those on which Frontsh1p would like to focus the attention of its stakeholders are the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the next EU long-term budget, starting in 2028, and the European Water Resilience Strategy.
Through the first, the Commission seeks to develop a more straightforward, targeted, and responsive budget that aligns with European strategic priorities in accordance with President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines for the 2024–2029 European Commission.
This ambitious plan encourages public participation from different stakeholders, including private sector, civil organisations and citizens, as a way to gather a more inclusive input from all the actors affected by budget decisions, collecting this way a wide range of feedback from all of them that helps reflect the priorities and needs of the EU’s diversity more effectively.
The consultation period started on February 12 and is open until May 6 of this year, presenting a great chance for the members of this consortium to participate in the process of shaping the budget allocation. It is also a very interesting opportunity for Frontsh1p project which, with all the added value it entails regarding the application of circular economy principles in EU regions, could be promoted to raise awareness about topics like responsible recycling, waste management, or the optimal reuse of natural resources, all of which the project is already quite familiarized with.
On the other hand, one of the proposed measures in Von der Leyen’s guidelines for 2024-2029 is the adoption of a new European Water Resilience Strategy, a fact that perfectly aligns with the aims set in Frontsh1p’s Circular Systemic Solution 3, focused on circular approaches to water and nutrient management.
The overall goal of the European Water Resilience Strategy is to set a clear path towards water security and resilience while better integrating water considerations across different policies and sources of funding. The consultation strategy to involve the public foresees an open Call for Evidence, that can be accessed here and will be open until March 4, and consultation events planned for March 2025.
In light of the abovementioned, it is clear that adopting a budget that takes into account the needs of citizens, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders is key to improve the living conditions of all EU inhabitants, overcome challenges that might arise in the future, and establish the policy priorities for the long-term. Sustainable development, and therefore the circular economy, is one of the priorities that cannot be left aside, and for that reason, the consultation period presents a great opportunity to promote the learnings and the work carried out in Frontsh1p.
Together with your support and commitment, we can foster a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous union. The future of EU is waiting for you, so don’t hesitate it, and become part of it!
