European Commission Adopts 2022 Work Programme for a Post-COVID-19 EU
The European Commission’s 2022 Work Programme aims to create a post-COVID-19 Europe that is greener, more digital and more resilient.
The programme includes 42 policy initiatives and reflects on the lessons learnt from the Covid pandemic whilst focusing on the young generation through the European Year of Youth 2022.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “The past year has proven what challenges we can deal with and what we can achieve for European citizens when we act united. We must continue in the same spirit next year, for example to implement our policies for climate neutrality in Europe by 2050, to shape our digital future, to strengthen our unique social market economy and to defend our values and our interests, at home and abroad. The combined power of the EU's long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, which together make €2.018 trillion will help to build a better and more modern Europe.”
Adding to this, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President in charge of Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, said: “It is not enough just to recover from a crisis of this magnitude. Rather, we need to emerge stronger and more resilient. In that spirit, we put forward our work programme for 2022. It underlines our determination to bounce forward from the pandemic, while seizing the opportunities offered by the twin green and digital transitions. I now hope for a swift agreement with the European Parliament and the Council on key legislative proposals so that we can collectively deliver for our citizens, businesses and stakeholders.”
The programme will aim to deliver the following 6 headline ambitions:
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A European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Concrete steps include a framework for carbon removals, the zero-pollution action plan and advancing the circular economy.
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A Europe fit for the digital age, which outlines the plan for the EU's digital transformation by 2030. The Commission will adopt a European Chips Act to develop new markets for European tech.
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An economy that works for people, which will make the European economy more resilient and follow up on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan towards quality jobs, fair working conditions and a better work-life balance.
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A stronger Europe in the world, which will set out a strategy for global trade and investment.
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Promoting our European way of life, including the 2022 European Year of Youth and a new initiative called ‘ALMA’ (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve), helping disadvantaged young Europeans who are not in employment, education or training to gain experience abroad.
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A new push for European democracy, which will be based on the Conference on the Future of Europe. The Commission will also take further steps to safeguard media freedom and pluralism through a European Media Freedom Act.
You can read the full list of objectives attached at the bottom of this page and find out more here.
