In 2021, the EU set up the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) fund – worth around €800 billion – to prop up the economies of its member states during and following the COVID–19 pandemic. While the money has been flowing to member states, the flow is slow and set to end in 2026. There is also a catch – it is […]
Lobbying EU lawmakers: fair game?
Lobbying is an essential democratic tool that allows organisations and individuals to provide input for policy and decision-making. However, without transparency mechanisms, it can result in undue influence, unfair competition, and even corruption. The EU’s lawmakers – the Commission, Parliament and Council – have signed up to the EU transparency register, a central entry point […]
Traineeship at the European Court of Auditors
The European Court of Auditors organises three traineeship sessions per year in areas of interest to its work. Traineeships are granted for 3 to 5 months maximum. They may be remunerated (1350 €/month) or non-remunerated depending on the budgetary appropriations available. The 3 sessions will cover the following periods: – from 1 March to 31 July […]
Long-term unemployment in the EU requires more targeted measures
Long-term unemployment can have serious consequences, both for the unemployed and for growth and public finances. Even so, according to a report published by the European Court of Auditors, the measures taken to combat it are not sufficiently targeted. Since 2014, the EU has funded through the European Social Fund (ESF) various measures to promote […]
Increased data sharing would help in the fight against smuggling of migrants
Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement cooperation agency, supports EU Member States in combating migrant smuggling. Part of this role involves serving as an information exchange hub. However, Europol faces continuous challenges in gaining access to all relevant criminal databases, and in making full use of external information sources. This is the conclusion of a […]
European Court of Auditors (ECA)
Access to the official webpage and social networks Role: To check EU funds are collected and used correctly, and help improve EU financial management. Members: 1 from each EU country President: Klaus-Heiner Lehne Year established: 1997 Location: Luxembourg As the EU’s independent external auditor, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) looks after the interests of […]