The results of the United Kingdom’s EU membership referendum have highlighted the considerable fragmentation of cultural and political ideologies between different national and regional identities within a single European country. Coupled with this is the rise in popularity of autonomist parties and movements in many Member States. How can the EU guarantee that decisions made at national and European level remain in a democratic framework and representative of the beliefs and needs of all its citizens?
Around 88 million tonnes of food are wasted annually in the EU, with associated costs estimated at 143 billion euros. Such waste creates not only economic issues but threatens to deplete our limited environmental resources, and makes eradicating hunger an even more insurmountable challenge. With almost a third of food currently produced never being consumed, how can the EU best streamline this system, in line with Europe 2020 targets?
Nearly one year after COP21 in Paris, climate change remains a pressing issue with local communities already experiencing the effects of global warming. Despite the availability of innovative programmes such as the European Green Capital Award and the European Environmental Action Plans, successful green practices are not widespread. How can the EU bridge the gap between international agreements and local actions and further support a creative and collaborative approach to the issue?
An ever growing number of migrants are seeking to pass through European borders in search of asylum. With border control often the focus of debate, issues of integration are often neglected. Currently, challenges in the areas of education and language, discrimination and sexism, and housing and support, pose significant barriers to social integration. By what measures should the EU guide the integration of migrants, both future and present, in local communities?
According to Organised Crime Portfolio, revenues from organised crime in the European Union have reached the equivalent of 1% of the EU’s gross domestic product. Organised crime is no longer a local affair, with most organisations operating across borders and in multiple continents. With many Member States still lacking the specific legislation or experience to combat this phenomenon, what actions should the European Union take to better support Member States in tackling the spread of organised crime?
Social, economic, and geographical marginalisation is at the heart of the progressive abandonment of rural areas in favour of urban regions. With many young Europeans migrating to larger cities in search of employment, the division of national resources can often unfairly favour large urban areas. How can the EU balance its commitment to urban development projects such as smart/green cities, with its desire to safeguard peripheral, rural, and mountainous areas?