Tourism in EU: vital socio-economic sector facing modern challenges

Views: 64Perspective tourism and travel has to follow three main directions: be resilient, digital and sustainable; however, not all EU member states ready for such challenges. In June 2022, the Commission prepared an analysis of key figures and trends in European tourism, as well as existing and perspective ICT and digital tools in modern tourism’s […]

Shaping European future: STARTS program for science and art cooperation

Views: 53Art, culture and modern technology are actively entering the European integration process. Established six years ago, the program supports creation of regional centers (so-called “residences”) as catalysts of perspective cross-sectoral cooperation. It is expected that synergies between art, science and technology shall help in regional development on a social, ecological and economic level by […]

Social agenda in European integration and development

Views: 45In the EU’s development triangle, in the so-called “social market economy”, most vital is its social facet, which distinguishes “European capitalism” from some traditional western-liberal connotations. At the end of 2021, the European Commission adopted a new action plan on the social economy with concrete measures to “mobilise full potential of the social economy”.

New European Bauhaus: bridging art, culture and education with science and technology

Views: 39In the beginning of May 2022, the Commission announced five selected projects for €25 million support in the so-called “lighthouse demonstrators” of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) projects. The announcement of the successful applicants does not constitute a formal commitment for funding: the Commission is currently negotiating grant agreements with the selected beneficiaries. The […]

European rules define new “digital revolution”

Views: 43Open, clear and harmonised obligations for digital platforms and users, including online intermediaries will be part of consumers and businesses in every-day’s existence. Thus, the “twin digital revolution”: i.e. combining provisions of the Digital Market Act (adopted this March) and the present Digital Services Act, DSA is sending a strong signal to the European […]

Political economy and business in the new century: challenges and outcomes

Views: 42Present global and European challenges, as well as post-pandemic turbulences and military conflicts around the world, have dramatically altered both existing national political economies’ patterns and functioning of businesses and corporate management. National governance has to tackle both: dealing with modern challenges and stimulating new business models’ development. Factors accompanying modern business transformation are […]

European energy and climate: incentives for growth and business

Views: 40Another “double strategy” –energy and climate -is being implemented in the EU-27 states’ national recovery: i.e. the two aspects in states priorities are, actually, closely integrated and interconnected. The strategy provides vital orientations for both national political economies’ priorities and for incentives in perspective business models: that is, climate and energy issues are becoming […]

“Limits to growth” or limiting life-styles: lessons for the EU’s integration

Views: 46There are reasonable limits to everything; most people as consumers know this adagio quite well: in food and entertainment, in travel and luxuries, etc. On one side, national growth models have to sustain appropriate living standards for citizens; on another, continued scientific progress can promote an ever increasing level of prosperity. However, stopping economic […]

Platform workers: opportunities for digital services

Views: 65Growing number of digital and ICT services require legal clarification of people involved. The new Commission’s draft of a directive is aimed at recognising these “digital platform” workers offering such services as “regular employees”. The main idea of a new draft is to recognise a salaried status for such “platform” workers. 

Recovery perspectives and “smart specialization” in the Baltic States

Views: 47In modern national development paradigm there are two main components: recovery and resilience; however, “smart specialisation” also helps to catch-up with the competitive European and global markets. Therefore these smart strategies serve as a vital element in national recovery and resilient plans towards socio-economic modernisation. Examples from the three Baltic States reveal similar and […]