The future of the EU and the goals for young people — what’s there for us?

On December 9th 2021 Europe Direct Karlovac, in cooperation with Carpe Diem Association and Gimnazija Karlovac, is organizing a debate on the topic "The future of the EU and the goals for young people - what is there for us?"

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a unique and timely opportunity for European citizens to debate on Europe’s challenges and priorities. No matter where you are from or what you do, this is the place to think about what future you want for the European Union.

Students, young audiences and representatives of EU institutions will discuss the importance of an inclusive society - volunteering, well-being and the impact on mental health - topics that are very much in focus; especially because of the consequences of the pandemic. They will also discuss the relevance of youth organizations, but also EU programs - how to encourage young people to be better informed about all the opportunities offered to them through EU programs and youth organizations and what may be their role in shaping the future of the European Union.

The discussion will be of a combined type - online and live, taking into account epidemiological measures.

For particpating in the discussion, please register in the following adress: europedirectkarlovac@ra-kazup.hr before 8.12.2021

More information about the discussion is available at the following link: https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/Education/f/37/meetings/90586?locale=en

European Christmas Tree Decoration Exchange 2021

European Christmas Tree Decoration Exchange 2021 je 2021 is a cultural exchange project where primary schoolchildren make Christmas tree decorations to send to other schools across Europe. Pupils also send a presentation about how Christmas is celebrated in their community.

Pupils learn all about the geography of our continent and are introduced to cultural differences and similarities. ICT and foreign language skills are also developed.

The aim of this project is that young people in primary schools learn about other countries in Europe through a creative and fun activity. Each school learns about their own culture and traditions through making their decorations and putting together an information pack on Christmas in their region and also discovers other European cultures and traditions.

It is expected of each school that they use the decorations they received from partners to decorate a Christmas tree in a prominent area in their school or local community.

Europe Direct centres were in charged of recruiting schools; therefore, Europe Direct Karlovac has recruited seven primary schools from Karlovac County to take part in the project.

Primary school Banija, Primary school Barilović, Branch school Cerovac Vukmanički, Primary school Cetingrad, Primary school “Vladimir Nazor” Duga Resa, Primary school Grabrik and Primary school Turanj expressed their wish to participate in the present exchange programme. All schools were arranged into groups of 30 schools, contained of schools all around Europe, therefore every school had to prepare sets of 29 Christmas decorations.

The schools were, also, offered financial help regarding postage costs.

It was planned that all schools receive their packages by December 6th 2021, so that the preparations for decorating Christmas trees could begin on time.

                    Primary school Banija Primary school Barilović Primary school Cetingrad

                   Primary school Grabrik Primary school “Vladimir Nazor” Duga Resa Branch school Vukmanićki Cerovac

European Committee of the Regions- What it is and what does it do?

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union (EU) which represents local and regional authorities across the European Union and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities (70% of all EU legislation).

The CoR is a political assembly composed of 329   members  and 329 alternates from all EU countries (grouped by political party and headed by headed by the President)headed by the President) who have been elected at local or regional level (for example as Mayors or Presidents of a region). They come to Brussels up to six times a year to debate their opinions  on proposed legislation and agree on resolutions for further action by the EU.

Political priorities 2020-2025 of the CoR are:

Priority 1 – bringing Europe closer to people: democracy and the future of the EU

Rethinking how democracy works today and how it must be modernised in the future in order for the European Union to answer more efficiently people's needs

Priority 2 – managing fundamental societal transformations: building resilient regional and local communities

Responding to the major transformations our regions, cities and towns are facing today through a coherent, integrated and local European approach.

Priority 3 – cohesion, our fundamental value: place-based EU policies

Putting the EU at the service of its people and their places of living; cohesion is not money, it is our fundamental EU value. kohezija nije novac već naša temeljna vrijednost EU-a.

More info about this year's assessment of the state of European regions and cities can be found here: https://cor.europa.eu/hr/our-work/Pages/EURegionalBarometer-2021.aspx

Source: https://cor.europa.eu/hr/about/Pages/default.aspx

PREPARATIONS FOR THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH HAVE STARTED

On October 14th 2021 the Commission has adopted a formal proposal for 2022 to be declared the European Year of Youth. Europe needs a vision, involvement and participation of all young people in building a better future – future that is greener, more digital and more inclusive.

The Commission is currently developing its program of activities and intends to invite all stakeholders to contribute their ideas and suggestions. In the coming days, a survey will be launched on the youth portal for this purpose. The Commission, together with other EU institutions, Member States, civil society organizations and young people, will organize a range of activities throughout the year to consider new initiatives. These activities will cover the issues that occupy young people the most, in line with the priorities set out in the youth objectives, such as equality and inclusion, sustainability, mental health and well-being, and quality employment. Young people from outside the EU will also take part in them.

The Commission is inviting all Member States to appoint a national coordinator to be responsible for organizing their participation in the European Year of Youth.

Events and first activities should start in January.

The European Year of Youth will be closely linked to the successful implementation of the NextGenerationEU instrument, which will open up new perspectives for young people, including quality jobs, education and training opportunities for the future Europe, also, youth participation in society will be supported.The European Year of Youth will seek to achieve synergies and complementarities with other Union youth programs under different policies.

EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 is a framework for cooperation in the field of youth policy. It supports the participation of young people in democratic life and seeks to ensure that all young people participate in society.

Finally, the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will also draw its own conclusions in 2022, is an opportunity to hear the views and opinions of young people. Young people also make up a third of the participants in European Citizens' Panels and panel representatives at the plenary assemblies of the conference, in which the President of the European Youth Forum also participates.

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/croatia/news/commission_kick_starts_work_to_make_2022_the_european_year_of_youth_hr

The European Commission disbursed in September 2021 pre-financing funds in the amount of EUR 818 million to Croatia

The European Commission has 28.09.2021. disbursed 818m euros to Croatia for pre-financing under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRF) of the Next Generation EU program. This amount represents 13% of the total amount of funds earmarked for Croatia under this new mechanism.

Croatia will receive a total of 6.3 billion euros. The European Commission will approve further payments based on the implementation of investments and reforms set out in Croatia's recovery and resilience plan.

The Croatian plan is part of the EU's unique response to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in order for the Union to emerge stronger from the crisis by fostering a green and digital transition and strengthening the resilience and cohesion of our societies.

Support is recognized for key transformative investments and reform projects, but not for “traditional” projects.

The RRF finances investment and reform projects that should strongly transform the Croatian economy and society. Among the main goals are: ensuring a green transition, supporting the digital transition, strengthening economic and social resilience.

President Ursula von der Leyen said on the occasion of the payment to Croatia stated: I am happy that Croatia will receive its first 818 million euros from the NextGenerationEU instrument. Croatia should receive a total of 6.3 billion euros, making it the largest recipient of funds from the Mechanism for Recovery and Resilience. The plan will support key measures that will contribute to building a greener and more digital future for all Croatian citizens. These include reforms and investments that promote energy efficiency, sustainable mobility and better connectivity, improve the digitalisation of the public and private sectors, and increase the efficiency of the judiciary. We are ready to help Croatia ensure the full implementation of the measures included in this ambitious plan.”

We remind you that Karlovac County, with the assistance of the Regional Development Agency of Karlovac County, since August 2020 has been actively involved in the preparation of priority projects for possible funding and within this mechanism and at the end of 2020, sent a list of 29 project proposals to the Ministry of Regional Development and EU funds.

 

More info can be found at: https://ec.europa.eu/croatia/news/nextgenerationeu_european_commission_disburses_pre_financing_payment_to_croatia_hr

https://www.ra-kazup.hr/vlada-rh-objavila-konacnu-verziju-nacionalnog-plana-oporavka-i-otpornosti-2021-2026-na-svojim-internetskim-stranicama/

European Citizens' Initiative: Commission decides to register plastic bottle recycling initiative "Let's return plastic"

On Friday, European Commission decided to register a European Citizens 'Initiative entitled "Returning Plastics: A Citizens' Initiative to Introduce a Reimbursable Fee System for Plastic Bottle Recycling at EU Level" (ReturnthePlastics). The organizers of the initiative call on the Commission to adopt a proposal for: introduction of a refund system for recycling plastic bottles at EU level, encouraging all EU Member States to introduce packaging acceptance devices in supermarkets (retail chains) that sell plastic bottles to recycle plastic bottles purchased and used by the consumer and the introduction of a plastic tax for companies producing plastic bottles, which will cover the costs of recycling and refundable systems for plastic bottles (according to the "polluter pays" principle). The Commission considers that the initiative is legally permissible because it meets the prescribed conditions, and has not yet examined its content. More information is available in an online press release - https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/hr/ip_21_4182

Agriculture: Commission adopted measures to strengthen financial support to farmers

The European Commission today adopted a measure allowing farmers to receive higher advances under the Common Agricultural Policy. The measure will increase the flow of money to European farmers affected by COVID-19 and adverse weather conditions. Some regions were affected, for example, by floods. The Commission's measure will allow Member States to pay a higher advance on income support and some rural development programs, up to a maximum of 70% (50% so far) of direct payments and 85% (75% so far) of rural development payments. Measures to protect the EU budget are still valid, so these payments will be made after the verification, ie from 16 October 2021 for direct payments. For the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, the European Commission has provided assistance to the agri-food sector through flexibility and targeted market measures.

More info can be found here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/commission-adopts-measure-increase-cash-flow-farmers-2021-aug-04_en

EUROPE DIRECT KARLOVAC OPENING CEREMONY 2021-2025 WITH VETON MAREVCI - AQUATICA AND PROMENADE SHINED IN THE EU SIGN

Europe Direct Karlovac (ED Karlovac) on Thursday, July 15, solemnly marked the entry into the new generation of ED centers. Let us remind you that with the excellently evaluated project, ED Center Karlovac entered the new financial perspective 2021-2025. and secured work in Karlovac County for the next 4 years.

The ceremony took place in front of Aquatika, starting at 7 p.m. The piano concert was held by the Karlovac academic musician of the younger generation Veton Marevci, otherwise the conductor of the choir of the Croatian National Theater Split. With this, ED Karlovac wanted to support the creative industry, which is one of the hardest hit in the corona crisis. The entire promenade near Aquatika and the pontoon bridge were decorated in the sign of the European Union, and the head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia Ognian Zlatev, Karlovac County Prefect - Martina Furdek Hajdin, Mayor - Dmair Mnadicć and Deputy Director of the Regional Development Agency Karlovac County. Special guests at the event were also members of the EU Parliament - Mr. Tomislav Sokol and Advisor to the President of the Republic of Croatia - Mr. Velibor Mačkić.

ED Karlovac is an "extended arm" of the European Commission in Karlovac and Karlovac County, a link between citizens and the European Union, a place where citizens can get all information about the European Union, legislation, policies, programs and funding opportunities and European Commission priorities. The center will continue to work at the address of the Public Institution of the Regional Development Agency of Karlovac County, which is the holder of this project.

Future of Europe. It is a major pan-European democratic project, during which citizens have the opportunity to share their ideas and contribute to shaping a common European future. about the European Union, legislation, policies, programs and funding opportunities and European Commission priorities. The center will continue to work at the address of the Public Institution of the Regional Development Agency of Karlovac County, which is the holder of this project.

It is interesting that Europe direct Karlovac in Karlovac County has existed since 2013, and when it opened, it was the first such center in Croatia.

 

Join the Conference of the Future

The conference of the future of Europe for ED Karlovac is the topic of all topics.

It is a major pan-European democratic project, during which citizens have the opportunity to decide how the European Union should develop and what its priorities should be. The Conference on the Future of Europe is in fact a series of debates led by citizens, and will allow people from all over Europe to share their ideas and contribute to shaping a common future.

An integral part of the Conference is a multilingual digital platform on which citizens can exchange ideas, connect, propose solutions, changes and initiatives and various activities. The platform is conceived as a new form of citizen participation in political decisions that affect the whole of Europe, and the opinions gathered in this way will be used in policy-making and determining the future direction of the EU. The platform is available in 24 languages ​​and can be accessed at: futureu.europa.eu.

In addition to panels and discussions, citizens will be able to participate in the work of the plenary assembly, in which 108 seats have been reserved for them. An equal number is intended for representatives of national parliaments and MEPs. The plenary assembly will be attended by another 54 representatives of the Council (two seats for each member state), three members of the European Commission, and representatives of the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the social partners and civil society. In this way, an inclusive and transparent discussion with citizens on a range of priorities and challenges is sought.

ED Karlovac plans to promote these ideas and encourage citizens to get involved in discussions during the Conference on the Future of Europe, because it is a project that highlights the ideas and initiatives of European citizens from all segments of society and all parts of the Union. play a central role in shaping the future of the European project.

Therefore, ED Karlovac plans to organize a literary competition in primary and secondary schools, where they would write about how they see themselves, their county and Europe in the coming period. The goal is for the information that there is a digital platform on which citizens can discuss and present their proposals to as many people as possible.

Because, the Conference on the Future of Europe is the largest deliberative democracy project in history. Through a structured and transparent process, citizens can directly influence the creation of European policies and thus decide what kind of Europe they want, instead of being involved in decision-making only once every five years - when elections to the European Parliament are held.

You can tell us your opinion on https://futureu.europa.eu/

ED Karlovac in a new perspective, with new tasks and priorities

From May 1, Europe direct Karlovac (ED Karlovac) , with an excellent project entered the new generation of ED centers and thus ensured the work as an "extended arm" of the European Commission for Karlovac County until 2025. Let us remind you, Europe direct Karlovac in Karlovac County has existed since 2013 and when it was opened, it was the first such center in Croatia, and many novelties were announced in the new perspective. The first novelty is already visible in the name, so the current Europe direct information center Karlovac (EDIC Karlovac) changed its name to Europe direct Karlovac. ED Karlovac is no longer just an information point, but wants to go directly among citizens, to schools, institutions and other organizations, in order to promote the priorities of the European Commission. The slogan under which it operates in the coming period is "Meet, ask and discuss".

In addition, in the coming period, larger funds are intended for it, and accordingly, more engagement is expected around the main priorities and tasks.

The five basic tasks that will be before ED Karlovac in the coming period are shown in the following graph.

By the end of the year, ED Karlovac will focus on two basic priorities of the European Commission: the European Green Plan and Europe ready for the digital age. The plan is to organize a series of events, workshops, forums and other activities, and it will inform citizens on a daily basis via social networks and the web.

You can contact Europe direct Karlovac via e-mail edickarlovac@ra-kazup.hr on the phone number 047 / 612-800 and via social networks Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.