The Commission presents the Action Plan for Integration and Inclusion for the Period 2021-2027. The Action Plan promotes the inclusion of all, recognizing the significant contribution of migrants to the EU and addressing the barriers that can hinder the participation and integration of people with migrant backgrounds, from newcomers to citizens, in European society. It is based on the principle that inclusive integration requires efforts from both the individual and the host community and defines new actions that build on the achievements of the previous 2016 Action Plan.
The Action Plan proposes targeted and tailored support that takes into account individual characteristics which may create specific challenges for people with migrant backgrounds, such as gender or religious background. Successful integration and inclusion depend on both timely action and long-term commitment.
While national governments are primarily responsible for developing and implementing social policies, the EU plays a crucial role in supporting member states through funding, developing guidelines, and promoting relevant partnerships. The main actions are as follows: Inclusive education and training, improving employment opportunities and skills recognition, promoting access to health services, access to adequate and affordable housing.
The action plan will be implemented by mobilizing EU funding and by creating partnerships with all stakeholders: migrants, host communities, social and economic partners, civil society, local and regional authorities, and private sector entities. It will empower host communities and support their role in designing and implementing integration measures and programs, while emphasizing the responsibility of those concerned to participate in the host society. It will seek to modernize access to services using digital tools. Finally, it will improve the evidence base to contribute to further policy development and ensure proper monitoring of results.
The Action Plan for Integration and Inclusion complements existing and upcoming EU strategies for promoting equality and social cohesion, in order to ensure full inclusion and the ability to participate in European societies. It will be implemented with the upcoming Action Plan for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights and with the EU Action Plan Against Racism. It will also be closely linked to the EU Strategic Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation, the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, the LGBTQI Equality Strategy 2020-2025, the upcoming
November 24
Events
Inclusion for all: the Commission Presents an Action Plan for Integration and Inclusion for the Period 2021-2027
New Rules from the European Parliament for Consumer Protection
The European Parliament has approved EU-level rules for the protection of collective consumer interests, the final step in the legislative process. This legislation, proposed by the Commission in 2018, will make collective redress available across the EU, covering a wide range of sectors, from financial services to passenger rights, from telecommunications to energy.
The Representative Actions Directive will allow consumers to cooperate and jointly take legal action to obtain compensation. It will provide for effective cross-border collective actions for redress measures between member states. Numerous safeguards will ensure that the procedure is not abused. For example, only qualified entities, such as consumer organizations designated by EU member states, will be able to bring actions. Today’s approval by Parliament follows the Council’s approval on November 4th. The Directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, which is expected in December. Member states will have until January 2023 to transpose the new Directive into their national law.
EU Confirms its Support for Afghanistan at the 2020 Geneva Conference
The European Union confirmed today, at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference titled “Peace, Prosperity and Self-Reliance”, its long-standing solidarity and partnership with the people of Afghanistan, pledging support of 1.2 billion euros for the period 2021-2025, both as long-term assistance and emergency aid.
This significant financial commitment demonstrates the EU’s unwavering determination to promote a peaceful, democratic, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan – an Afghanistan that the people deserve and dream of – and makes it clear that development aid from the EU is based on clear conditions and principles.
These terms are set out in a document jointly drafted by the EU and other key international partners of Afghanistan, who together provide 80% of international aid to the country. As reiterated by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell and Commissioner for International Partnerships Urpilainen at the Conference, EU support for Afghanistan presupposes an inclusive peace process, under Afghanistan’s responsibility, which will be based on the political and social achievements of the last 19 years. Maintaining democratic pluralism, constitutional order, institutional transparency and accountability and the rule of law, further promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially for women, children and minorities, including freedom of the media and the pursuit of sustainable peace, development and prosperity, are essential for Afghanistan’s future.
Many of the principles of EU and international support are reflected in the joint political communiqué and the partnership framework for Afghanistan, which were approved at the Conference.
Development aid from the EU is subject to the approval of the next EU multiannual financial framework in line with the guidelines proposed by the European Commission on June 2. This aid will support the implementation of Afghanistan’s second national peace and development framework for the period 2021-2025. EU support will also help address the growing poverty in Afghanistan as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with development support, the EU will also continue to provide impartial humanitarian aid to save lives, strengthening efforts to address the coronavirus, as well as helping victims of conflicts and forced displacements, including by providing emergency food aid, protection services to address gender-based violence, education for children, as well as advocating respect for international humanitarian law by all parties involved in the conflict.
In 2016, the EU made a similar commitment to allocate 1.2 billion euros to Afghanistan over a four-year period. Actual payments during the 2016-2020 period exceeded 1.75 billion euros. During the period 2002-2020, the European Union committed a total of over 5.1 billion euros to Afghanistan. Afghanistan is globally the largest recipient of development aid from the EU. EU support aims to maintain the political and developmental achievements of the last 19 years and is governed by strong principles of democracy and human rights.
The EU is among the most generous donors of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. The total humanitarian aid from the EU to Afghanistan since 1994 amounts to almost 1 billion euros.
EU Provides €15 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Vulnerable Populations in Syria and Lebanon
The European Commission has announced €15 million in humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable populations in Syria and Lebanon, including refugees and Lebanese in need. Of this funding, €11.5 million is allocated for Syria and €3.5 million for Lebanon, to provide food assistance and water, sanitation, and hygiene services to those most in need. The aid aims to address the needs of Syrians within the country, as well as refugees and vulnerable individuals in Lebanon.
The funding is provided as the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East increasingly affects countries like Syria and Lebanon, which are already facing rising levels of poverty, conflict, food insecurity, displacement, and epidemics. All EU humanitarian aid is provided based on needs, regardless of the status or nationality of the beneficiaries. The aid is delivered through NGOs, United Nations agencies, and international organizations.
