Efficient EU budget 2014-2020 (Special Reports)

Special reports written by EurActiv in November 2013.

+ Tight EU budgets usher in new era of efficient spending, innovative finance
When there is less money, the only way to cope is to spend it better and more efficiently. This is the age-old principle behind Brussels' approach to the next EU budget, for 2014-2020.

+ Commission claws back up to €200 million broadband funding in budget breakthrough
The EU executive hailed victory in winning back vital funding for its European broadband funding rollout programme following trilogue talks last week that saw up to €200 million in spending secured over the 2014-2020 budget period.

+ EIB hints that it will fund energy infrastructure shortfall
Officials from the European Investment Bank (EIB) have given the strongest indication yet that they will fill a €3.25 billion hole in EU plans for modernising the continent’s creaky power infrastructure.

+ Political will, not only cash, needed to fight youth unemployment: experts
With youth unemployment at 23%, twice the level of the older population, the EU has earmarked €6 billion to put young people back to work, but more political will is needed to make sure that the national programmes are ambitious and deliver tangible results, experts said.

+ Yvo de Boer: Europe looks at the climate future in the past
European politicians are stuck in the past in their search of climate change solutions, the UN's former climate chief told EurActiv in an interview, adding they need a more "adult understanding" of the tight links between climate, the economy and energy, including energy security.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU accounts signed off, but errors persist in all main spending areas, say EU Auditors http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-accounts-signed-off-but-errors-persist-in-all-main-spending-areas-say-eu-auditors/

ESO: Background information: A New Cohesion Policy for Growth and Jobs in Europe / Cohesion Policy reform: MEPs approve deal with Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-a-new-cohesion-policy-for-growth-and-jobs-in-europe-cohesion-policy-reform-meps-approve-deal-with-council/

EurActiv, 08.11.13: Tight EU budgets usher in new era of efficient spending, innovative finance http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-efficient-eu-budge/tight-eu-budgets-usher-new-era-e-news-531572

ESO: Background information: The future of the Economic and Monetary Union: Commission proposes ideas to deepen social integration http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-future-of-the-economic-and-monetary-union-commission-proposes-ideas-to-deepen-social-integration/

EurActiv, 12.11.13: Commission claws back up to €200 million broadband funding in budget breakthrough http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-efficient-eu-budge/commission-claws-back-200-broadb-news-531592

EurActiv, 13.11.13: EIB hints that it will fund energy infrastructure shortfall http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-efficient-eu-budge/eib-hints-fund-energy-infrastruc-news-531632

EurActiv, 14.11.13: Political will, not only cash, needed to fight youth unemployment: experts http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-efficient-eu-budge/questions-remain-surrounding-eu-news-531625

EurActiv, 15.11.13: Yvo de Boer: Europe looks at the climate future in the past http://www.euractiv.com/climate-environment/yvo-de-boer-europe-looks-climate-news-531702

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