European Payments Initiative: learning from previous mistakes

Views: 54The European Payments Initiative, EPI was initially meant to develop joint payments frameworks rather than searching for a balancing instrument in interoperability of heterogeneous domestic solutions. However, the EPI has been under severe scrutiny since the opt-out of several European banks. The EPI could still play a vital role in stimulating EU’s payment system […]

New solution in renewable energy: floating offshore wind farms

Views: 495The European Investment Bank has announced the conclusion of three financing agreements (28.06.2022), with the support of the EU and guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments, EFSI for installing three floating offshore wind farms off the French Mediterranean coast. These projects will help accelerate energy transition in France and foster procurement of […]

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

Views: 69Perspective 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: 58Art, 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: 50In 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: 46In 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: 48Open, 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: 46Present 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: 49Another “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: 54There 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 […]