Plenary focus - November

Horizon 2020 is one of the most important EU actions. As in many other fields, it is the object of strong big industry lobbying and this is reflected in its final design. Many aspects of the Commission proposal have been improved, such as in funding fundamental research and humanities, cutting security related matters, better scientific cooperation, simplification, transparency and job creation perspectives. H2020 will be of key importance for researchers and universities, mainly in less developed member states.

Instead of an ambitious budget to help the EU countries reverse some of the effects of the biggest social, economic and financial crisis in Europe, all we have is more austerity. Aid to the most deprived comes at the expense of the ESF; the Youth Employment Initiative will be financed by a reduction to the Cohesion Fund. There are no serious measures to tackle the social emergency situations all over the EU. To the Lampedusa tragedy the EU answer is reinforcement of FRONTEX. This is a step backwards.