The need to engage local and regional authorities (LRAs) in drafting and implementing National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRP), the swift implementation of plans and transparency in criteria and disbursement of funds were the key issues raised by EPP-CoR members during a debate with Jan Olbrycht Vice-chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament on the new Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and the Next Generation EU instrument.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region and of the EPP-CoR Group said that despite small signs of improvement, the pandemic continues to challenge cities and regions with unprecedented tests. Speaking on the recovery process President Geblewicz said "Throughout 2021 we want to find the way out of the crisis through the implementation of the Recovery Plan. It is time to start repairing the economic and social damage caused by COVID-19 and to lay the foundations for a modern and more sustainable Europe."
Members discussed with MEP Jan Olbrycht how EU financial resources can boost the post-covid recovery across cities and regions. In his opening remarks Olbrycht said that this is not business as usual or Europe as Brexit and COVID-19 had set unprecedented challenges. The MEP added that national governments must consult with local and regional authorities when preparing NRRPs and drew members' attention to the European Commission's recent guidance which prescribes in detail the consultation of LRAs and requires Member States to provide details of this and through the implementation of the plans how coordination and complementarity is foreseen. He said that emphasis needs to be made on both investment and reforms.
Michael Murphy, Councillor of Tipperary County Council and ECON Chair said that it is crucial to insist on the need to put regions and cities at the heart of the EU recovery. Murphy, who is the Head of the Irish Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions added "Our role at the frontline of the pandemic, in public investment and the twin transitions, (green and digital), must be part of the core recovery plan." He followed up on the RRF again at the implementation stages building on relevant activities of the ECON commission.
Franck Proust, President of Nîmes Métropole spoke about the vital role of LRAs for an effective recovery and optimal use of funds. "LRAs have mobilised significant financial resources since the beginning of the pandemic. They have a clear vision on the field, which gives them the ability to accurately assess the needs for an efficient recovery. The European Union (EU) should therefore turn to local authorities, developing a close collaboration, so that European projects can be implemented more effectively and thus achieve an efficient recovery."
Adam Struzik, President of the Mazovia Region insisted that healthcare must have a special place in recovery plans. He explained that the pandemic caused a complete overhaul of public hospitals and private facilities and telemedicine had played a vital role. Thus more investment was needed. Speaking about tourism, Struzik said that the sector suffered big loses especially transportation companies. In this regard he said that European resources from the recovery fund and the MFF should be spent to support industries that suffered mostly including regional airports that are key for tourism to restart after the pandemic.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca said that the EPP had played an important role in developing instruments to support the recovery process. He insisted that success of the recovery process is key to boost trust in the EU among citizens.
Ivan Žagar, Mayor of the Municipality of Slovenska Bistric and Vice-Chair of COTER, said that the COVID-19 crisis has shown that most decisions are taken at central level without consultation with LRAs. In this regard he said that multi-level governance and partnership is key for effectiveness of decisions and to ensure that these reflect regional needs. He added that the rapid implementation of programmes was key for recovery.
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk called for clear criteria for projects funded via the MFF. She added that without involvement of all stakeholders and real discussion with LRAs it will not be a really efficient tool for recover and rebuild Europe after the pandemic.
Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga said that the importance of reinforcing access to European funding for LRAs emerges from two main reasons: proximity to citizens (better knowledge of the reality) and effectiveness (wider effect of the investments made). He spoke about the need of stronger participation of LRAs to achieve transversal targets of the EU including the digital and green transitions. Rio also emphasized the importance of the territorial dimension in NRRPs and called for the engagement of LRAs in their setup and implementation. Rio also spoke in favour of supporting multi-stakeholders projects (with the involvement of public authorities, companies and universities) in order to fight against a silo approach to the allocation of funds at the national level.
Markku Markkula, Chair of the Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region spoke about the need to act swiftly in terms of recovery. “My concern is that Europe is moving slowly. People expect actions.” Markku Markkula urged the real concrete use of recovery funds. "We, the cities and regions with our industry, are ready to use the EU financing to accelerate the new extensive measures for the economic transformation. In my city Espoo and in my region Helsinki, we have been ready to move ahead already a few months ago, and especially focusing on green and digital investments." Mr. Markkula called on the European Parliament to request speeding up the decision making. "Hearing about the money in national envelopes does not help, unless the money is released and delivered in real use. People and businesses all around in Europe need the recovery now, not after a year or several years." he concluded.
Bernd Lange, President of the German association Euroregion Neisse and Head of Görlitz district council said that LRAs were losing income but nonetheless they had to assume important responsibilities. He called for the engagement of local authorities in plans as the MFF and Recovery and Resilience Facility play an important role for local and regional authorities.
Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw criticised the process through which the NRRP was crafted in Poland saying that consultation was not transparent. He added that cities were not consulted notwithstanding their role on the frontline. In terms of funding and criteria Trzaskowski added that decisions taken by national authorities are of a political nature. Hence he called for solutions that would allow cities to tap direct funds from the EU to implement projects in an efficient manner. In his response, Olbrycht, a former Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship said "We need to open another door for cities and regions to obtain direct funds for specific projects."
Sari Rautio, Chair of City Board of Hämeenlinna and Vice-Chair of Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities said "We have to work hard in all levels, together. Regional consultations are important, as well as the openness of this process. We have to also stress the importance of co-operation on health issues."
José Ribau Esteves, Mayor of Aveiro said that we need to understand that the social and economic crisis are originating form a health crisis. "Special investment is needed in the health sector. While the green and digital transitions are being given prominence this is not the case for health." Ribau Esteves appealed for the swift implementation of recovery processes.