Spotlight on the future of EU finances
In the last few years the debate on the current system of funding of the European Union has intensified. At the same time, new political challenges, such as the EU’s policies towards international conflicts and the refugee crisis, indicate that there is significant potential for a stronger role of the EU. Reforming the revenue system may be an important step to ensure that the EU is able to meet these demands.
In this context, the European Commission has just published its Reflection paper on the future of EU finances — the last of five reflection papers announced in the White Paper on the future of Europe. Its aim is to present five illustrative scenarios for the future system of funding of the EU, each with different consequences - both in terms of how much to spend for what purpose, and on where the money could come from.
To provide more background information on this important discussion, the Publications Office presents a selection of recent titles on various aspects of the future of EU finances and of the EU budget in general. |
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Final report and recommendations of the High Level Group on Own Resources
The High Level Group on Own Resources was established to examine the revenue side of the EU budget. This report, prepared by the group in the course of its deliberations that took place in 2015 and 2016, proposes the possible components of a global European financial package, applicable to both the expenditure and the revenue side. It stresses that the reform of budgetary revenue is neither an end in itself nor a panacea to cure all budgetary ills. Instead, it should be seen as a building block in the ongoing effort to restore trust and legitimacy to EU action by making the EU’s own resources system simpler, more transparent and equitable, and democratically accountable. The executive summary and recommendations of the report are available in all the official EU languages (except Irish) here.
Available in English |
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What does the academic world tell us?
There is widespread agreement that a reform of the current revenue system of the EU is needed, with increased focus on more genuine own resources to finance the EU budget gaining more prominence. Such claims appear to be strongly backed by academic research, which provides numerous analyses of the best options to reform the current system. This policy brief contains an overview of the most important academic articles on this subject.
Available in English |
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Providing value for money
The EU budget focuses on where European funding makes a difference. It funds what would not be funded or what would be more expensive to fund from national budgets. Many achievements of the EU would not have been possible without a common budget. Having one EU budget to deal with common challenges is cheaper and more effective than tackling them with 28 separate ones. The EU’s responsibilities have increased over the years and the EU budget now finances a wide range of activities in the interest of all EU citizens. This publication is a part of a series that explains what the EU does in different policy areas, why the EU is involved and what the results are.
Available in all the official languages of the EU |
Also out this month |
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What it is, how it works
The EU is still the world’s biggest exporter and importer. But times are changing fast. In the next 10 to 15 years, 90 % of the world’s growth will take place outside Europe. EU trade policy can tap into this growth to create jobs at home and maintain our influence abroad. Find out what is being done to keep Europe competing with the best in the 21st century.
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Recent growth and knock-on effects
This report provides information about progress in renewable energy sources at the EU, country, energy market sector and technology levels. It also seeks to answer two key questions: has the consumption of renewable energy sources since 2005 contributed to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use across Europe? And how does progress in European renewable energy sources compare with developments in renewable energy in other parts of the world?
Available in English |
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A guide for jobseekers and employers
Reactivate is an intra-EU job mobility scheme for jobseekers over 35 years of age. It helps EU citizens find work, apprenticeships or traineeships in another EU Member State. The scheme also assists employers, especially small to medium-sized enterprises, to recruit people throughout the EU.
Available in English, French and German |
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