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EAPN Action on Country-Specific Recommendations 2014

Background Note and Template for completion

Introduction and Background

The Country-Specific Recommendations (CSRs) are one of the main instruments being used by
the European Commission to drive implementation on Europe 2020 Strategy through the
European Semester. These national Recommendations are prepared by the Commission in May,
after reviewing the National Reform Programme (NRP), then endorsed by the European Council
in July. This year (2013) the Commission is particularly concerned about the implementation of
the CSRs and has produced a new document (Staff Working Document) assessing the progress
on the implementation of the CSRs as part of the Annual Growth Survey (AGS). Support for
Stakeholder engagement got a boost from the new AGS Report 2014 as part of pressure from
the Commission to get greater ownership of Europe 2020/Semester process 1. New European
Semester Officers (ESOs) have also been established in each national Commission
Representation office, to aid this input from stakeholders. So 2013-4 should offer some better
opportunities for stakeholder engagement and impact.

EAPN Action

As part of EAPN’s advocacy strategy on Europe 2020 developed by the EUISG, in March 2013,
the EUISG members produced their own alternative Country-Specific Recommendations and
assessed the negative and positive elements of the Commission’s CSRs, based on their
assessment of the 2013 NRPs, in an EUISG workshop. These proposals were then sent to the
Commission and Council, and discussed in an internal meeting. EAPN also worked as part of an
Adhoc CSR Alliance with Green and Social NGOs, and social partners to develop alternative
cross-sectoral CSR proposals: JOINT REPORT: presented to EU decision-makers in a cross-party
hearing in the European Parliament on the 14th May 2013, who responded positively but
pressed the need for earlier input. This year we want to have more impact!

Main Actions and Timeline for 2014

In 2014, the EU ISG therefore proposes to provide earlier input, in order to better influence the
CSRs for 2014 and to try to work with the new ESOs. This work will also contribute to a broader
stakeholder input on Alternative Recommendations, as part of a Commission-funded Alliance
for a social and sustainable semester involving green and social NGOs, trade unions., which will
be coordinated by EAPN, as part of our 2014 Commission funding application.

1
See AGS 2014 (Nov 2013) p.5

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What EUISG members should do

1. Before the EUISG meeting: Members should complete a draft of attached template with
their networks (particularly with EXCO members) and send them to EAPN secretariat before
the 22nd January 2014 to Sian Jones, Policy Coordinator (sian.jones@eapn.eu).To prepare for
this work, members should look at their country proposals from the European Council’s
2013 CSRs as well as the Commission’s Overview of Progress on the CSRs. Then compare
them to their own EAPN alternative CSR proposals from March 2013, highlighting the
similarities/differences and the gaps. They should assess the implementation of the EU CSRs
2013, and give ideas for changes to their own EAPN 2013 Recommendations.

2. During the EUISG meeting: On the 7th February, Members will exchange on their CSR
assessment/proposals in small groups. Together we will develop common key messages.

3. After the EUISG meeting: Members will have until the 17th February to finalize their input
to the template, following discussion with their networks. They should also send their
inputs to their national governments, including SPC representatives and national
independent experts, together with their NRP Assessment or any alternative social situation
reports. They should also contact the New European Semester Officers (ESOs), and ask for a
meeting. The input can also be used for Press Releases and media work.

4. EAPN Alternative CSR Proposals sent to Commission and Parliament. A summary

document including all your proposals and key messages will be sent to European
Commission and coordinator of independent experts with a Press Release by 28 Feb.
5. Joint Hearing – CSR/Semester Alliance: EAPN will work with the alliance to present a joint
input on the CSRs at the European level and present them in hearings and meetings with the
Parliament and the Commission in March.
6. May-June: In the May EU ISG meeting, members and Secretariat will assess how far the
EAPN inputs are taken up in the NRPs and the CSRs 2013 and agree follow up action.

For European Organisations:

- Where EOs have national members, they should contribute input to national network.
- Where EOs have made general assessments of the CSRs, send to secretariat and EUISG

For Candidate/Accession /Troika Programme countries:

- Networks can use template to assess current government policy, with reference to EU
aquis or to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Troika programme countries.
- Make Alternative Recommendations to government and public awareness actions.

EAPN Input on Country-Specific Recommendations 2014

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Template

Name of Network and Responsible EU ISG member: Contact details:

1. EAPN 2013 proposals for Alternative Country-Specific Recommendations for your country
(from the 2013 doc) (cut and paste)

2. Do the Commission/Council Country-Specific Recommendations for your country (2013)

reflect EAPN concerns?
a) Highlight the Commission’s positive proposals for poverty reduction (if any) and
similarities with your own proposals above (specify)

b) Highlight the Commission’s negative proposals for poverty reduction (if any) and main
differences with your own proposals (specify)

c) The main gaps in the Commission/Council’s CSRs for your country, what is missing

3. EAPN Assessment of the implementation of CSRs

a) How far have the Commission/Council’s CSRs proposals been implemented by your
national government since July 2013?

b) Is this a positive/negative development?

4. New Developments and New Alternative CSR proposals from EAPN members

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a) Describe the main new policies by your government likely to impact on poverty (positive
and negative) in 2014.

b) Give your EAPN 2014 Proposals of CSRs: 3 key proposals for Alternative Country-Specific
Recommendations for your country (highlight any differences from 2013)

c) Give brief justification for your proposals

Please return to Sian Jones, Policy coordinator (sian.jones@eapn.eu) by 27th January 2014.