Lack of involvement of world-leading stakeholders in research and education in the EU’s legislative processes

Subject: Lack of involvement of world-leading stakeholders in research and education in the EU’s legislative processes

According to press reports, eight of the world's foremost organisations in the field of culture and education have written to the European Commission's Secretariat expressing dissatisfaction at their lack of involvement in the EU’s legislative processes.

Their letter stressed in particular the insufficient consideration given to the needs and advice of stakeholders in both the drafting of EU legislation and the subsequent assessment of its impact.

In the light of the above:

1. How does it intend to justify the lack of involvement of the world’s leading stakeholders in research and education?

2. Does it intend to improve arrangements for stakeholder involvement with a view to enacting more efficient regulations?

Submitted:21.4.2024

Answer given by Ms Ivanova on behalf of the European Commission

(1 July 2024)

All citizens and stakeholders can share their views on new EU policies and existing laws by participating in public consultations and calls for evidence accessible to all on the Better Regulation portal (1). They can also send suggestions to simplify, reduce potential burdens or future-proof existing EU laws on the ‘Have your say: Simplify!’ portal (2).

In the field of education, the legislative act subject to the ordinary legislative procedure is the regulation establishing the Erasmus+ Programme (3). In the field of research and innovation, it is the Horizon Europe Regulation (4) and the establishment of certain partnerships.

The preparations of the Commission's legislative proposals in these fields include an intensive process of stakeholder consultations. In accordance with the Commission’s Better Regulation guidelines (5), such consultation activities should provide all interested parties with the opportunity to share their views.

The future legislative proposals for the next Erasmus+ programme and the next framework programme for research and innovation will be informed by the mid-term evaluation of the current (2021-2027) and the final evaluation of the previous programmes (2014-2020). These evaluations build on evidence collected through both open and targeted stakeholder consultations.

The public consultation (6) on the Erasmus+ evaluation collected more than 1 200 contributions, targeted consultations reached out to more than 1 500 stakeholders, and more than 50 000 Erasmus+ programme participants were consulted through beneficiaries’ surveys.

As regards the framework programmes for research and innovation, the public consultation (7) received 2 788 responses and 265 position papers were submitted by respondents from 85 countries.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/planning-and-proposing-law/better-regulation_en

2 ∙ ⸱ https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say-simplify/suggestions/add_en

3 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) 2021/817, OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 1-33.

4 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) 2021/695, OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1-68.

5 ∙ ⸱ https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/planning-and-proposing-law/better-regulation/better-regulation-guidelines-and-toolbox_en

6 ∙ ⸱ The public consultation on the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 interim evaluation was open between 15 September and 8 December 2023:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13454-Erasmus%2B-2021-27-interim-evaluation-Erasmus%2B-2014-20-final- evaluation/public-consultation_en 7 ∙ ⸱

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-research-and-innovation-news/now-open-largest-public-consultation-ever-held-past-present-and-future- european-research-and-2022-12-01_en