### 5. stresses that transparency , access to public information , the protection of whistleblowers and an overall culture of integrity in public life are key to preventing and detecting corruption; expresses its concern about deteriorating developments in these areas in several member states; calls on the commission to act against the breaches it has identified in its previous annual rule of law reports; ### 5. stresses that transparency , access to public information , media freedom and pluralism , the protection of whistleblowers and an overall culture of integrity in public life are key to preventing and detecting corruption as facilitate the public scrutiny and keep public trust; expresses its concern about deteriorating developments in these areas in several member states; calls on the commission , in coordination with the relevant eu and national institutions and bodies , to act against the breaches it has identified in its previous annual rule of law reports;


### 5. stresses that transparency , access to public information , the protection of whistleblowers and an overall culture of integrity in public life are key to preventing and detecting corruption; expresses its concern about deteriorating developments in these areas in several member states; calls on the commission to act against the breaches it has identified in its previous annual rule of law reports; ### 5. stresses that transparency , access to public information , the protection of whistleblowers and an overall culture of integrity in public life are key to preventing and detecting corruption; expresses its concern about deteriorating developments in these areas in several member states; calls on the commission to act against the specific breaches it has identified in its previous annual rule of law reports , so as not to affect citizens and businesses not guilty of acts of corruption;


### 6. calls on the commission and the member states to use the commission’s annual rule of law reports to resolutely fight against systemic corruption and devise effective instruments for preventing , combating and sanctioning corruption and fighting fraud , as well as for regularly monitoring the use of public funds , including recovery and resilience facility funds. ### 6. calls on the commission and the member states to use the commission’s annual rule of law reports to resolutely fight against systemic corruption and devise effective instruments for preventing , combating and sanctioning corruption and fighting fraud , as well as for regularly monitoring the use of public funds , including recovery and resilience facility funds with a view to increasing the competitiveness of businesses and to enhancing citizens' quality of life.


### 8. is deeply preoccupied by the fact that judicial independence continues to be an issue of serious concern in some member states; condemns the continued political attacks on the independence of judiciary , the primacy of eu law and the implementation of the cjeu’s rulings in hungary and poland; notes with deep regret that these attacks have been worsening since the publication of the report and often target judges and prosecutors who have contested the backsliding on judicial independence; ### 8. is deeply preoccupied by the fact that judicial independence continues to be an issue of serious concern in some member states; condemns the continued political attacks on the independence of judiciary , the primacy of eu law and the implementation of the cjeu’s rulings in hungary and poland; notes with deep regret that these attacks have been worsening since the publication of the report and often target judges and prosecutors who have contested the backsliding on judicial independence; reiterates the chilling effect that such attacks which constitute undue influence by the executive and legislative branches over the functioning of justice systems have on judges and prosecutors;


### 9. defends the position that the principle of the separation of powers is essential to the proper functioning of justice systems across the eu and requires institutional structures where not only judges but also prosecution services are independent from undue political pressure; ### 9. defends the position that the principle of the separation of powers is essential to the proper functioning of justice systems across the eu and requires institutional structures where not only judges but also prosecution services are independent from undue political pressure; notes that cases like that of poland where the minister of justice has a double role as prosecutor general cannot ensure such separation of powers and is a worrying example of how this principle can be undermined; points to the importance of the rules governing judicial appointment in preventing the questioning of judges’ neutrality with regard to external factors such as the influence by the executive and legislative branches;


### 14. recalls the important role of journalists and civil society in raising the alarm about , and drawing attention to , any breaches of the rule of law , including with regard to the proper functioning of justice systems , and calls for them to be given enhanced protection against intimidation or violence; condemns the instrumental use of justice to undermine freedom of information , notably through the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (slapps) in the eu; ### 14. recalls the important role of journalists and civil society in raising the alarm about , and drawing attention to , any breaches of the rule of law , including with regard to the proper functioning of justice systems , and calls for them to be given enhanced protection against intimidation or violence; condemns the instrumental use of justice to undermine freedom of information , notably through the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (slapps) in the eu; clarifies that these are a particular form of harassment used against journalist and others involved in protecting the public interest often resulting in self-censorship; therefore welcomes the announced commission legislative proposal and recommendation addressing such abusive lawsuits in 2022;


### 15. similarly , recalls the role of whistleblowers in denouncing breaches of the rule of law and the need to protect whistleblowers; ### 15. similarly , recalls the role of whistleblowers in denouncing breaches of the rule of law and the need to protect whistleblowers; as such , believes that ongoing revisions of existing national legislation or introduction of new rules and national bodies or offices as witnessed in some member states are very positive developments that should serve as a reference to other member states where similar protection and institutional settings are not yet in place;


### 16. believes , moreover , that the rule of law relies on a system of institutional checks and balances based on high-quality public administration , the proper application of the law and the implementation of court decisions by public authorities; notes that legal certainty is essential for effectively fighting against corruption and that an efficient and transparent public administration with regulations and procedures in place that prevent illegal behaviour is equally indispensable. ### 16. believes , moreover , that the rule of law relies on a system of institutional checks and balances based on high-quality public administration , the proper application of the law and the implementation of court decisions by public authorities; notes that legal certainty is essential for effectively fighting against corruption; to this end , recalls that it is necessary to establish a regulatory framework that allows the crime of corruption to be defined in a uniform and shared way within the union , without which investigation and data collection work would be strongly compromised; believes that an efficient and transparent public administration with regulations and procedures in place that prevent illegal behaviour is equally indispensable.


### e. whereas , however , the overall number of petitions remains modest in relation to the total population of the eu , revealing that efforts still need to be stepped up to increase citizens’ awareness about their right to petition; whereas , in exercising the right to petition , citizens expect that the eu institutions will provide added value in finding a solution to their problems; ### e. whereas , however , the overall number of petitions remains modest in relation to the total population of the eu , revealing that efforts still need to be stepped up even more to increase citizens’ awareness about their right to petition and encourage them to exercise it; whereas , in exercising the right to petition , citizens expect that the eu institutions will provide added value in finding a solution to their problems;


### i. whereas the right to petition offers parliament the opportunity to enhance its responsiveness to complaints and concerns relating to the respect for eu fundamental rights and compliance with eu legislation in the member states; whereas petitions are therefore a useful source of information on instances of misapplication or breaches of eu law and , thus , enable parliament and other eu institutions to assess the transposition and application of eu law and its impact on the rights of eu citizens and residents; ### i. whereas the right to petition offers parliament the opportunity to enhance its responsiveness to complaints and concerns relating to the respect for eu fundamental rights and compliance with eu legislation in the member states; whereas petitions are therefore a useful source of information on instances of misapplication or breaches of eu law and , thus , enable parliament and other eu institutions to assess the transposition and application of eu law and its possible impact on the rights of eu citizens and residents;


### n. whereas the main subjects of concern raised in petitions submitted in 2020 relate to fundamental rights (in particular the impact of covid-19 emergency measures on the rule of law and democracy , as well on the freedom of movement , the right to work , the right to information and the right to education) , health (notably questions on the public health crisis resulting from the pandemic , ranging from the protection of citizens’ health , including treatments and protective equipment , to the management of the health crisis in the member states and the acquisition and distribution of vaccines) , the environment (mostly mining activities and their impact on the environment , nuclear safety , air pollution and the deterioration of natural ecosystems) , justice (notably issues related to access to justice or alleged procedural irregularities or concerns over the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in the member states , along with cross-border cases of child abduction and custody rights) , education (in particular questions related to discriminatory access to education or contested national reform of the law on education) , and the internal market (in particular questions relating to national travel restrictions in the context of the pandemic and their impact on the freedom of movement of persons within and outside the eu) , in addition to many other areas of activity; ### n. whereas the main subjects of concern raised in petitions submitted in 2020 relate to fundamental rights (in particular the impact of covid-19 emergency measures on the rule of law and democracy , as well on the freedom of movement , the right to work , the right to information and the right to education , as well as a large number of petitions related to lgbtq+ rights in the union) , health (notably questions on the public health crisis resulting from the pandemic , ranging from the protection of citizens’ health , including treatments and protective equipment , to the management of the health crisis in the member states and the acquisition and distribution of vaccines) , the environment (mostly mining activities and their impact on the environment , nuclear safety , air pollution and the deterioration of natural ecosystems) , justice (notably issues related to access to justice or alleged procedural irregularities or concerns over the rule of law , along with cross-border cases of child abduction and custody rights) , education (in particular questions related to discriminatory access to education) , and the internal market (in particular questions relating to national travel restrictions in the context of the pandemic and their impact on the freedom of movement of persons within and outside the eu) , in addition to many other areas of activity;


### q. whereas in 2020 , the committee on petitions held just one fact-finding visit; whereas no other fact-finding visit could take place as a result of the decision by parliament’s president to cancel parliamentary events , including delegations , as one of the precautionary measures adopted to reduce the spread of covid-19 and minimise health risks for parliament’s members and staff; ### q. whereas in 2020 , the committee on petitions held just one fact-finding visit; whereas no other fact-finding visit could take place due to the situation caused by the pandemic and the decision taken by parliament’s president to cancel parliamentary events , including delegations , as one of the necessary and precautionary measures adopted to reduce the spread of covid-19 and minimise health risks for parliament’s members and staff;


### 2. reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the union’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are correctly informed about the scope of the union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls , in this regard , for broader awareness raising campaigns , through the active involvement of the press and communications services , to help increase citizens’ knowledge about their right to petition , as well as the scope and limits of the union’s responsibilities , with a view to reducing the number of inadmissible petitions; ### 2. reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the union’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are correctly informed about the scope of the union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls , in this regard , for broader awareness raising campaigns , through the active involvement of the press and communications services , to help increase citizens’ knowledge about their right to petition , as well as the scope and limits of the union’s responsibilities and the competences of the committee on petitions , with a view to reducing the number of inadmissible petitions;


### 3. points out that petitions constitute a unique opportunity for parliament and the other eu institutions to directly connect with eu citizens and maintain a regular dialogue with them , particularly in cases where they are affected by the misapplication or breach of eu law; stresses the need for enhanced cooperation between the eu institutions and national , regional and local authorities on inquiries regarding the implementation of and compliance with eu law; believes that such cooperation is crucial to address and resolve citizens’ concerns over the application of eu law and contributes to strengthening the democratic legitimacy and accountability of the union; calls , therefore , for the more active participation of member states’ representatives in committee meetings and for swifter responses to the requests for clarification or information sent by the committee on petitions to the national authorities; ### 3. points out that petitions constitute the door to the european institutions for citizens and a unique opportunity for parliament and the other eu institutions to directly connect with eu citizens , know their problems and maintain a regular dialogue with them , in cases where they are affected by the misapplication or breach of eu law; stresses the need for enhanced cooperation between the eu institutions and national , regional and local authorities on inquiries regarding the implementation of and compliance with eu law; such cooperation is crucial to address and resolve citizens’ concerns over the application of eu law and contributes to strengthening the democratic legitimacy and accountability of the union; calls , therefore , for the more active participation of member states’ representatives in committee meetings and for swifter responses to the requests for clarification or information sent by the committee on petitions to the national authorities;


### 6. recalls that cooperation with other committees in parliament is essential for the accurate and comprehensive treatment of petitions; notes that in 2020 , 56 petitions were sent to other committees for opinion and 385 for information; welcomes the fact that 40 opinions and 60 acknowledgements of taking petitions into consideration in their work were received from other committees; recalls that petitioners are informed of the decisions to request opinions from other committees for the treatment of their petitions; calls on parliamentary committees to step up their efforts to actively contribute to the examination of petitions – by proving their expertise – and thus enable parliament to respond more swiftly and comprehensively to citizens’ concerns; regrets that the peti network could not meet in 2020; ### 6. recalls that cooperation with other committees in parliament is essential for the accurate and comprehensive treatment of petitions; notes that in 2020 , 56 petitions were sent to other committees for opinion and 385 for information; welcomes the fact that 40 opinions and 60 acknowledgements of taking petitions into consideration in their work were received from other committees; recalls that petitioners are informed of the decisions to request opinions from other committees for the treatment of their petitions; calls on parliamentary committees to step up their efforts to actively contribute to the examination of petitions – by proving their expertise – and thus enable parliament to respond more swiftly and comprehensively to citizens’ concerns; regrets that the peti network could not meet in 2020 due to the situation caused by the covid-19 pandemic;


### 19. underlines that the petitions web portal is an essential tool for ensuring a smooth , efficient and transparent petitions process; welcomes , in this regard , the improvements on data protection and on the security features which have made the portal more user-friendly and secure for citizens; stresses that efforts must be continued to make the portal more accessible to persons with disabilities , including by enabling the tabling of petitions in national sign languages; ### 19. underlines that the petitions web portal is an essential tool for ensuring a smooth , efficient and transparent petitions process; welcomes , in this regard , the improvements on data protection and on the security features which have made the portal more user-friendly and secure for citizens; stresses that efforts must be continued to grant a portal fully accessible , including by enabling the tabling of petitions in national sign languages;


### 1. recalls that the role of the better regulation programme is improving regulatory principles and reducing unnecessary burdens for businesses and citizens; underlines the importance of enabling citizens to fully exercise their democratic right to participate in the eu’s decision-making process and ensuring citizens’ direct participation; underlines that it is essential for the eu to ensure increased transparency at different levels of policy-making; calls on the commission to continuously improve public consultations in order to ensure citizens’ participation and to take into account feedback from other institutions on such activities; stresses that public consultations on better law-making in the eu should be accessible to citizens and civil society through different outreach channels , should be translated into all official and co-official languages of the member states , and should have easy-to-access documents; ### 1. recalls that the role of the better regulation programme is improving regulatory principles and reducing unnecessary burdens for businesses and citizens; underlines the importance of enabling citizens to fully exercise their democratic right to participate in the eu’s decision-making process and ensuring citizens’ direct participation; underlines that it is essential for the eu to ensure increased transparency at different levels of policy-making; calls on the commission to continuously improve public consultations in order to ensure citizens’ participation and to take into account feedback from other institutions on such activities; stresses that public consultations on better law-making in the eu should be accessible to citizens and civil society through different outreach channels , should be translated into all official and co-official languages of the member states , as well as in all national sign languages and easy-to-read version , and should have citizen-friendly access to documents;


### 1. welcomes the commission’s commitment to making better use of foresight , mainstreaming the sustainable development goals in all its legislative proposals , in line with the un’s 2030 sustainable development agenda , to paying greater attention to gender equality and equality for all , and to ensuring that the ‘do no significant harm’ and precautionary principles are applied across all policy areas; calls for the commission to clearly define the ‘do no significant harm’ principle in order to ensure its consistent application; welcomes the proposal that sustainability and digitalisation should be better taken into account in law-making; calls on the commission to implement a ‘sustainability first’ approach; ### 1. welcomes the commission’s commitment to making better use of foresight , mainstreaming the sustainable development goals in all its legislative proposals , in line with the un’s 2030 sustainable development agenda , to paying greater attention to gender equality and equality for all , and to ensuring that the ‘do no significant harm’ and precautionary principles are applied across all policy areas; calls for the commission to clearly define the ‘do no significant harm’ principle in order to ensure its consistent application; welcomes the proposal that sustainability and digitalisation should be better taken into account in law-making; calls on the commission to implement a ‘sustainability first’ approach; calls for this approach to be adopted for all policy development and evaluation , prioritising long-term considerations of sustainability such as achieving climate neutrality at the lastest by 2050 and living within planetary boundaries;


### 2. welcomes the commission’s initiative to make the ‘have your say’ web portal more accessible to people with disabilities and to consolidate public consultations into a single ‘call for evidence’; calls for all related documents , questionnaires and contributions to be available in all eu official languages; calls for greater transparency on how replies are taken into account; ### 2. welcomes the commission’s initiative to make the ‘have your say’ web portal more accessible to people with disabilities and to consolidate public consultations into a single ‘call for evidence’; calls for all related documents , questionnaires and contributions to be simultaneously available in all eu official languages; calls for greater transparency on how replies are taken into account , , including by ensuring replies are properly weighted according to their representativeness , depending on whether they represent individual or collective interests; regrets that the commission has not committed to improve the consultation questionnaires , which would deserve to be always formulated in a manner which is open to all proposals;


### 2. highlights the eu’s obligation to incorporate the development cooperation objectives into any policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries , as set out in article 208 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union; recalls that many union policies with a more domestic dimension contribute to the implementation of the sustainable development goals (sdgs) , and therefore achieving coherence across all union policies is crucial to achieving the sdgs worldwide; ### 2. affirms the eu’s obligation to incorporate the development cooperation objectives into any policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries , as set out in article 208 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union; recalls that many union policies with a more domestic dimension contribute to the implementation of the sustainable development goals (sdgs) , and therefore achieving coherence across all union policies is crucial to achieving the sdgs worldwide;


### 3. strongly believes that the union’s better regulation system is a valuable instrument in the implementation of this legal obligation , as long as the tools that the system proposes are used appropriately and to their maximum potential; welcomes the new versions of the better regulation guidelines and the better regulation toolbox; believes that tool number 35 in particular contains the necessary elements to guide the performance of impact analyses in developing countries and expects that this tool will be used extensively; ### 3. strongly believes that the union’s better regulation system is a valuable instrument in the implementation of this legal obligation , as long as the tools that the system proposes are used appropriately and to their maximum potential; regrets that the analysis on the impact on developing countries of many internal legislative initiatives in past years has not been up at the desired level; strongly calls on the european commission to pay more attention to the impact of european legislation , in particular domestic legislation , in developing countries and to respect and promote the objectives of development cooperation in these initiatives , particularly in areas such as migration , social policies , environment , agriculture , fisheries , health , travel , leisure and transport , information technologies and digital market security , financial services , combating transnational crime such as organised crime , drug and human trafficking and money laundering and private sector behaviour; welcomes the new versions of the better regulation guidelines and the better regulation toolbox; believes that tool number 35 in particular contains necessary elements to guide the performance of impact analyses in developing countries and expects that this tool will be used extensively;


### 5. calls for impact assessments to be performed on all acts , without exception; regrets that this was not the case for several politically sensitive proposals in the past; recalls that on several occasions parliament has carried out its own impact assessments in replacement of the commission’s; nevertheless , recalls that impact assessments help to inform but do not replace political decision-making; ### 5. calls for impact assessments to be performed on all acts , without exception; regrets that this was not the case for several politically sensitive proposals in the past; recalls that on several occasions parliament has carried out its own impact assessments in replacement of the commission’s in order to inform policy-making; nevertheless , recalls that impact assessments help to inform political decision-making , but should never replace nor unduly delay the legislative process


### 8. welcomes the commission’s renewed commitment to transparency of the evaluation process and calls for the publication of multi-annual evaluation plans; further emphasises the need to increase the availability of public , complete and accessible evidence supporting impact assessments and evaluations , and welcomes , in this regard , the commission’s intention to improve its evidence registers and the links between them as well as to make its internal databases and repositories publicly accessible; ### 8. welcomes the commission’s renewed commitment to transparency of the evaluation process and calls for the publication of multi-annual evaluation plans including underlying studies , data , sources and methods; further emphasises the need to increase the availability of public , complete and accessible evidence supporting impact assessments and evaluations , and welcomes , in this regard , the commission’s intention to improve its evidence registers and the links between them as well as to make its internal databases and repositories publicly accessible; supports in this regard the commissions’ intention to set-up a joint legislative portal; endorses the objective of increased cooperation between the institutions to facilitate and streamline access to all the data collected on a given policy initiative throughout the legislative process;


### 9. stresses the role of specific tools , such as the european citizens’ initiative and the european ombudsman , in improving commission regulation; recalls that the conference on the future of europe should be continuously improved in order for the citizens to communicate the real impacts of legislation at national , local and regional level and to make suggestions on how to achieve better law-making; notes that the commission should develop new tools to give citizens direct access to and involvement in eu policy-making; ### 9. stresses the role of specific tools , such as the european citizens’ initiative and the european ombudsman , in improving commission regulation; recalls that the conference on the future of europe should be continuously improved in order for the citizens to communicate the real impacts of legislation at national , local and regional level and to make suggestions on how to achieve better law-making; notes that the commission should develop new tools to give citizens direct access to and involvement in eu policy-making in order to exercise their fundamental right;


### 9. takes note of the use of instruments such as the regulatory fitness and performance programme (refit) and the ‘fit for future’ platform to identify opportunities for simplification and reducing unnecessary costs before the commission proposes a revision , while ensuring the highest standards of protection and enhancing compliance with eu law; recalls that the ‘fit for future’ platform’s role is also to assess whether specific union legislation and its objectives remain future-proof and adapted to new challenges; ### 9. takes note of the use of instruments such as the regulatory fitness and performance programme (refit) and the ‘fit for future’ platform to identify opportunities for simplification and reducing unnecessary costs before the commission proposes a revision , while ensuring the highest standards of protection and enhancing compliance with eu law; recalls that the ‘fit for future’ platform’s role is also to assess whether specific union legislation and its objectives remain future-proof and adapted to new challenges; welcomes the commission's decision to establish a subgroup within the 'fit for future' platform consisting of the european committee of the regions' (cor) network of regional hubs; calls upon the commission to give a meaningful follow-up to the platform's opinions and to reinforce the evidence-based approach of its ex post and exante evaluations with local and regional expertise;


### a. whereas better law-making is a common goal for all eu institutions , and should be achieved by increasing transparency , accountability and cooperation between the institutions and member states , citizens and stakeholders , ensuring full respect of all fundamental european values , including democracy , the rule of law and human rights; whereas legislation should be fit for purpose , balanced , clear , transparent and comprehensive in order to benefit citizens and stakeholders; ### a. whereas better law-making is a common goal for all eu institutions , and should be achieved by increasing transparency , accountability and cooperation between the institutions and member states , citizens and stakeholders , ensuring full respect of all fundamental european values , including democracy , the rule of law and human rights; whereas legislation should be fit for purpose , balanced , clear , transparent and comprehensive in order to benefit citizens and stakeholders; recalls that transparency , integrity and accountability are essential prerequisites of a democracy based on the rule of law;


### d. whereas well carried out ex ante and ex post impact assessments and public consultations are essential tools for well-informed , better , efficient , accountable and transparent law-making; ### d. whereas well carried out ex ante and ex post impact assessments and public consultations are essential tools for well-informed , better , efficient , accountable and transparent law-making; whereas such assessments should consider economic , social , and environmental aspects with the same level of detailed analysis and accuracy , taking into account both qualitative and quantitative evidence , including also the impact of policy measures on fundamental rights; whereas the european court of auditors published a special report in 2018 with a set of recommendations to improve the quality of ex post reviews;


### e. whereas the ‘have your say’ web portal aims to boost involvement in eu policy-making; whereas the european court of auditors published a special report in 20192 with a set of recommendations to improve this portal , especially the use and availability of translations; ### e. whereas the ‘have your say’ web portal aims to boost involvement of citizens and stakeholders in eu policy-making and has proven to be a useful tool for citizens and stakeholders to participate in the preparation of eu policies; whereas the commission launched a new version of the tool on 3 july2020 in order to further improve its consultations and communication with the public and increase transparency; whereas the european court of auditors published a special report in 2019 with a set of recommendations to improve this portal , especially in regards to out reach and transparency , as well as the use and availability of translations; european court of auditors special report no 14/2019: ‘‘have your say!’: commission’s public consultations engage citizens , but fall short of outreach activities’.


### 10. underlines that ‘strategic foresight’ could play a key role in helping to future-proof eu policy-making by ensuring that assessments of new initiatives are grounded in a longer-term perspective , emphasising the added value of quality legislation as an investment in the future; welcomes the integration of ‘foresight elements’ into the commission’s better regulation agenda in impact assessments and evaluations; considers , however , that the commission’s methodology for quantifying costs , deciding on trade-offs and implementing strategic foresight remains unclear , and that practice will allow assessment of how these approaches have been followed in practice; encourages the commission to look into innovative cost assessment tools; ### 10. underlines that ‘strategic foresight’ could play a key role in helping to future-proof eu policy-making by ensuring that assessments of new initiatives are grounded in a longer-term perspective , emphasising the added value of quality legislation as an investment in the future; welcomes the integration of ‘foresight elements’ into the commission’s better regulation agenda in impact assessments and evaluations; considers , however , that the commission’s methodology for quantifying costs , deciding on trade-offs and implementing strategic foresight remains unclear , and that practice will allow assessment of how these approaches have been followed in practice; encourages the commission to look into innovative cost assessment tools; calls in this regard to also systematically take the reports of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (ipcc) , the intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services (ipbes) and the european scientific advisory board on climate change established under article 10a of regulation (ec) no401/2009 in connection with regulation (eu) 2021/1119 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending regulations into account in the strategic foresight process;


### 11. takes note of the involvement of the regulatory scrutiny board in impact assessments , fitness checks , and major evaluations of current legislation; notes , however , that the transparency of the regulatory scrutiny board on meetings with stakeholders , reviews , recommendations and opinions should be significantly improved; underlines that the work of the board should not ultimately affect the commission’s capacity to propose legislation or unduly delay the adoption of legislative proposals; considers that all the board’s opinions should always be made public immediately after adoption without any exception; ### 11. takes note of the involvement of the regulatory scrutiny board in impact assessments , fitness checks , and major evaluations of current legislation; notes , however , that the transparency of the regulatory scrutiny board on meetings with stakeholders , reviews , recommendations and opinions should be significantly improved; underlines that the work of the board should not ultimately affect the commission’s capacity to propose legislation or unduly delay the adoption of legislative proposals; considers that all the board’s opinions should always be made public immediately after adoption without any exception to ensure coherence , transparency and accountability throughout the process; furthermore calls on the commission to also make draft evaluations and draft impact assessments that are submitted to the board available; takes note that the regulatory scrutiny board is composed of four members of the commission and three external experts; calls on the commission to reconsider the decision making process of the regulatory scrutiny board since the current system allows opinions to be adopted without the input of external experts or to establish a truly independent regulatory scrutiny board outside of the commission;


### 12. takes note of the ‘one in , one out’ approach by which the commission aims to offset newly introduced burdens by relieving citizens and businesses of equivalent burdens at eu level in the same policy area; regrets the unilateral introduction of this approach by the commission , without a prior impact assessment or consultation; underlines that the implementation of this approach should not affect political imperatives or the objectives of better regulation , and emphasises that it should not lead to mechanical or mathematical decisions to repeal legislation , lower its standard or result in a chilling effect on legislation; recalls that the need for new legislation should not automatically imply that current legislation is no longer needed; calls for this approach to be based on a transparent and evidence-based methodology giving balanced consideration to all sustainability aspects , both in terms of benefits and costs , including the costs of non-compliance and inaction; calls on the commission , in this regard , to make its ‘one in , one out’ calculator public before applying this approach; ### 12. takes note of the ‘one in , one out’ approach by which the commission aims to offset newly introduced burdens by relieving citizens and businesses of equivalent burdens at eu level in the same policy area; regrets the unilateral introduction of this approach by the commission , without a prior impact assessment or consultation; underlines that the implementation of this approach should not affect political imperatives or the objectives of better regulation , and emphasises that it should not lead to mechanical or mathematical decisions to repeal legislation , lower its standard or result in a chilling effect on legislation; recalls that the need for new legislation should not automatically imply that current legislation is no longer needed; calls for this approach to be based on a transparent and evidence-based methodology giving balanced consideration to all sustainability aspects , both in terms of benefits and costs , including the costs of non-compliance and inaction; calls on the commission , in this regard , to make its ‘one in , one out’ calculator public before applying this approach; considers that better law-making should primarily be based on qualitative rather than quantitative considerations; underlines the importance of quality legislation in delivering on eu flagship initiatives such as the green deal and the european pillar of social rights;


### d. whereas the top three concerns in the inquiries closed by the ombudsman in 2020 were transparency , accountability (access to information and documents) (25 %) , culture of service (24 %) and proper use of discretionary powers , including in infringement procedures (17 %); whereas other concerns include ethical issues , respect for fundamental rights , sound financial management , whistleblowing , respect for procedural rights , recruitment and good management of eu personnel issues; ### d. whereas the ombudsman receives a large number of complaints from individuals and organisations about the eu administration every year , and whereas the top three concerns in the inquiries closed by the ombudsman in 2020 were transparency , accountability (access to information and documents) (25 %) , culture of service (24 %) and proper use of discretionary powers , including in infringement procedures (17 %); whereas other concerns include ethical issues , respect for fundamental rights , sound financial management , whistleblowing , respect for procedural rights , recruitment and good management of eu personnel issues;


### 1. welcomes the annual report for 2020 presented by the european ombudsman; ### 1. approves the annual report for 2020 presented by the european ombudsman , and commends its excellent presentation on the most important facts and figures concerning the ombudsman’s work in 2020;


### 10. reiterates its call for the publication of all trilogue documents in order to uphold citizens’ democratic rights , as full transparency at all stages of the legislative process , including in the informal negotiations between the three main eu institutions , is crucial to enabling citizens to hold their elected representatives and governments accountable; ### 10. commends the ombudsman’s determination to achieve the highest level of transparency in the eu decision-making process; stresses the need to monitor the implementation of the ombudsman’s recommendations for transparency in trilogues; reiterates its call for the publication of all trilogue documents in order to uphold citizens’ democratic rights , as full transparency at all stages of the legislative process , including in the informal negotiations between the three main eu institutions , is crucial to enabling citizens to hold their elected representatives and governments accountable;


### i. whereas the eci thereby helps strengthen the democratic functioning of the union through the participation of citizens in its democratic and political life; whereas the eci should be regarded as one of the ways in which citizens can bring certain issues to the attention of the eu institutions , alongside dialogue with representative associations and civil society , stakeholder consultations , the right to petition and the right to submit complaints to the european ombudsman; ### i. whereas the eci thereby helps strengthen the democratic functioning of the union through the participation of citizens in its democratic and political life; whereas the eci should be regarded as one of the ways in which citizens can bring certain issues to the attention of the eu institutions and approach them to legislate on the issues that are within the eu competences and concern the citizens , alongside dialogue with representative associations and civil society , stakeholder consultations , the right to petition and the right to submit complaints to the european ombudsman;


### k. whereas , in order to achieve those objectives , the procedures and conditions required for the eci should ensure that initiatives on valid subjects are considered and responded to appropriately by the commission; whereas at least one million signatures from at least a quarter of the member states are required for an eci to be submitted to the commission; whereas the commission has made the deadline for submitting signatures more flexible in response to the covid-19 pandemic; ### k. whereas , in order to achieve those objectives , the procedures and conditions required for the eci should ensure that initiatives on valid subjects are considered and responded to appropriately by the commission; whereas at least one million signatures from at least a quarter of the member states are required for an eci to be submitted to the commission; whereas the commission has made the deadline for submitting signatures more flexible in response to the to the impacts caused by covid-19 pandemic on the signature collection procedure;


### m. whereas one of the eu’s priority objectives must be to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of its institutions; ### m. whereas one of the eu’s priority objectives must be to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of its institutions through instruments of citizen participation which are more effective and transparent;


### q. whereas the right to petition , the right to refer to the european ombudsman , and the eci are participatory tools that foster participatory democracy and active european citizenship; ### q. whereas the right to petition , the right to refer to the european ombudsman , and the eci are participatory tools that foster the transparency; the participatory democracy and active european citizenship;


### 1. points out that the right to petition is the oldest instrument involving the direct participation of citizens at eu level and that it is the easiest and most direct way for citizens to contact the eu institutions and express their views on the legislation adopted and the policy choices made at eu level; ### 1. points out that the right to petition is the oldest instrument involving the direct participation of citizens at eu level and that it is the easiest and most direct way for citizens to reach an eu institution when there are loopholes in the legislation and contact the eu institutions and express their concerns and complaints about european law that affects them directly;


### 5. draws attention to the potential that the right to petition has when it comes to warning the eu institutions about possible loopholes in union law , or breaches or poor implementation thereof , both systemically and as regards specific cases; calls on the commission , as guardian of the treaties , to pay closer attention to the issues raised in petitions and to ensure that they give rise to proper inquiries so that genuine improvements can be made; emphasises that , in cases where the commission does not have legislative powers , the commission still has and should use the possibility to act by providing coordination or support; ### 5. draws attention to the potential that the right to petition has when it comes to warning the eu institutions about possible loopholes in union law , or breaches or poor implementation thereof , both systemically and as regards specific cases; calls on the commission , as guardian of the treaties , to pay a serious attention to the issues raised in petitions and to ensure that they give rise to proper inquiries so that genuine improvements can be made; emphasises that , in cases where the commission does not have legislative powers , the commission still has and should use the possibility to act by providing coordination or support in order to offer a diligent response to the problems and needs of the petitioners;


### 7. calls on the commission to assess and report annually on the petitions dealt with and to ensure that this assessment feeds into political decision-making at the level of the commission; ### 7. calls on the commission to monitor , assess , and report annually on the petitions dealt with and to ensure that this assessment feeds into political decision-making at the level of the commission;


### 8. calls on the council and the member states to show more interest in participating in discussions on petitions and to provide responses to questions raised by petitioners at eu level , in particular by sending the petitions to the relevant and competent authorities , ensuring adequate follow-up and participating in parliamentary debates; ### 8. calls on the council and the member states to show an active involvement and participate in discussions and debates on petitions and to provide responses to questions raised by petitioners at eu level , in particular by sending the petitions to the relevant and competent authorities , ensuring adequate follow-up and participating in parliamentary debates;


### 9. calls for the eu institutions and parliament’s committees , as well as the member states , to better cooperate with the committee on petitions in order to answer petitioners efficiently and satisfy their requests; in this context , urges the commission to avoid general answers and to provide targeted and tailored responses to the petitioners; ### 9. calls for the eu institutions and parliament’s committees , as well as the member states , to better cooperate with the committee on petitions in order to answer petitioners efficiently and satisfy their requests; in this context , urges the commission to avoid general answers and to provide targeted and tailored responses to the petitioners and their demands;


### 10. calls on civil society as a whole to tap the full potential of the right to petition when it comes to effecting policy and legislative changes at eu level; calls on civil society organisations to make better use of petitions as instruments of direct democracy; ### 10. calls on civil society as a whole to tap the full potential of the right to petition when it comes to effecting policy and legislative changes at eu level; calls on civil society organisations to make higher use of petitions as instruments of direct democracy to convey to the european institutions their concerns , as well as possible legislative infringements related to union law;


### 11. calls on the conference on the future of europe to reflect on and debate the right to petition , and , along with members of the public , to look at ways to improve knowledge of and access to the right to petition; ### 11. calls on the conference on the future of europe to reflect on and debate the right to petition , and , along with members of the public , to look at ways to improve knowledge of and access to the right to petition to turn it into a democratic instrument truly useful to the citizens;


### 12. calls for the position of the committee on petitions to be strengthened , as it is the only committee that communicates directly with citizens; emphasises that more staff and resources need to be allocated to the committee on petitions , given the extent of its work; ### 12. calls for the position of the committee on petitions to be strengthened within the european parliament and in its inter-institutional relations , as it is the only committee that communicates directly with citizens; emphasises that more staff and resources need to be allocated to the committee on petitions , given the extent of its work;


### 13. calls on the other committees to contribute in a timely manner to parliament’s efforts to respond more rapidly and effectively to citizens’ concerns and to take into account , in ongoing legislative work , the issues raised by petitioners; calls on the other committees to give more prominence to petitions in parliament’s day-to-day legislative activities , and to respond formally and specifically to the expectations raised by citizens’ petitions; ### 13. calls on the other committees to contribute in a timely manner to parliament’s efforts to respond more rapidly and effectively to citizens’ concerns and to take into account , in ongoing legislative work , the issues raised by petitioners; calls on the other committees to take into account the petitions related to their areas of competence in parliament’s day-to-day legislative activities , and to respond formally and specifically to the expectations raised by citizens’ petitions;


### 17. calls for the petitions web portal to be improved to make it more user-friendly , easier to navigate and accessible to all citizens , especially to persons with disabilities; calls for the possibility of co-signing the petitions submitted via the petitions web portal to be streamlined and accelerated; ### 17. calls for the petitions web portal to be improved to make it more user-friendly , easier and intuitive to navigate and accessible to all citizens , especially to persons with disabilities; calls for the possibility of co-signing the petitions submitted via the petitions web portal to be streamlined and accelerated;


### 18. calls for more information to be made public and available on the petitions web portal , including , for example , the progress of the petition and inquiries launched with other institutions; in this regard , calls for more synergy between the portal and parliament’s internal database; ### 18. calls for more information to be made public and available on the petitions web portal , including , for example , the progress of the petition and inquiries launched with other institutions; in this regard , calls for more synergy between the portal and parliament’s internal database to promote greater transparency in the treatment of petitions;


### 20. points out the importance of the right of any eu citizen and any natural or legal person residing in the eu to complain to the european ombudsman about instances of maladministration within the eu institutions; takes the view that citizens’ complaints to the ombudsman represent an essential element of participatory democracy and of the legitimacy of the union’s decision-making process; points out that the right to refer a matter to the ombudsman increases citizens’ engagement with and trust in the eu institutions; ### 20. points out the importance of the right of any eu citizen and any natural or legal person residing in the eu to complain to the european ombudsman about instances of maladministration within the eu institutions; takes the view that citizens’ complaints to the ombudsman represent an essential element of participatory democracy and of the legitimacy of the union’s decision-making process; points out that the right to refer a matter to the ombudsman increases citizens’ engagement with and trust in the eu institutions as it promotes transparency and good administration of the eu institutions and bodies;


### 21. emphasises the development of the role of the ombudsman , who can use own-initiative powers to help to tackle systemic problems in eu administration and make efforts to promote good administration , i.e. ensuring the institutions , bodies , offices and agencies of the union meet the very highest standards; with that in mind , considers the role of the ombudsman to be more important than ever in view of the fact that the administration of the eu , via its agencies , is taking on an increasingly important role in citizens’ lives when it comes to issues such as migration and health; ### 21. emphasises the development of the role of the ombudsman , who can use own-initiative powers to help to tackle systemic problems in eu administration and make efforts to promote good administration , i.e. ensuring the institutions , bodies , offices and agencies of the union meet the very highest standards; with that in mind , considers the role of the ombudsman to be more important than ever in view of the fact that the administration of the eu , via its agencies , is taking on an increasingly important role in citizens’ lives when it comes to issues such as environment , migration and health;


### 22. calls on the ombudsman to look more closely at the manner in which eu funds and the eu budget are spent , and to check that the union’s interests are not undermined by breaches of the rule of law , corruption or conflicts of interest , including in the context of next generation eu , the european recovery plan; emphasises that respect for the rule of law is an essential condition for access to eu funds; takes the view that this conditionality concerning respect for the rule of law and the fact that the european union does not compromise on its values are factors that can strengthen citizens’ trust in the union; ### 22. calls on the ombudsman to look more closely at the manner in which eu funds and the eu budget are spent , and to check that the union’s interests are not undermined by breaches of the rule of law or any sort of infringement of the eu principles and values , corruption or conflicts of interest , especially in the context of next generation eu , the european recovery plan; emphasises that respect for the rule of law is an essential condition for access to eu funds; takes the view that this conditionality concerning respect for the rule of law and the fact that the european union does not compromise on its values are factors that strengthen citizens’ trust in the union and show eu firm commitment with the democratic quality throughout the european territory;


### 23. welcomes the recent changes made to the statute of the european ombudsman , which will further enhance the right of eu citizens and residents to complain about maladministration , in particular in the areas of whistle-blower protection , harassment and conflicts of interest; ### 23. welcomes the recent changes made to the statute of the european ombudsman , which will further enhance the right of eu citizens and residents to complain about maladministration , in particular in the areas of whistle-blower protection , harassment and conflicts of interest recalls the importance of keeping necessary resources and budget so the ombudsman institution can continue to work competently at the service of european citizens;


### 30. calls on the commission to improve the eci tool to make citizens’ participation more accessible , given the low number of ecis that have ultimately been successful; ### 30. calls on the commission to study the necessary mechanisms to improve the eci tool and implement them to make citizens’ participation more accessible , given the low number of ecis that have ultimately been successful;


### 35. emphasises the role of these three participatory instruments , which is to facilitate and encourage the engagement of citizens and residents of the eu; calls for the establishment and promotion of a large-scale , one-stop interinstitutional website to provide information on all the instruments that enable the public to participate directly in and influence decision-making at eu level; ### 35. emphasises the role of these three participatory instruments , which is to facilitate and encourage the engagement of citizens and residents of the eu; calls for the establishment and promotion of a large-scale , one-stop interinstitutional website to provide information on all the democratic instruments that enable the public to participate directly in and influence decision-making at eu level;


### 36. calls for public awareness of these three participatory instruments to be raised to ensure that they become effective tools for democratic participation; emphasises that all the european institutions should maximise their communication efforts to ensure that as many citizens as possible know about , and are encouraged to participate in , the instruments; ### 36. calls for public awareness of these three participatory instruments to be raised to ensure that they become effective and useful tools for democratic participation; emphasises that all the european institutions should maximise their communication efforts to ensure that as many citizens as possible know about , and are encouraged to participate in , the instruments;


### 41. with a view to improving public participation , emphasises the need for citizens to have clear guidance to help them choose the most appropriate participatory tool; takes the view that there is a need to understand and overcome the obstacles people encounter when they are drawing up petitions to parliament , complaints to the ombudsman and initiatives for the commission; ### 41. with a view to improving public participation , emphasises the need for citizens to have clear guidance to help them choose the most appropriate participatory tool to respond to their concerns; takes the view that there is a need to understand and overcome the obstacles people encounter when they are drawing up petitions to parliament , complaints to the ombudsman and initiatives for the commission;


### 42. emphasises , furthermore , that where ecis and petitions have an impact – especially involving mass media coverage or consideration by the commission or parliament – they should be examined to pinpoint successful strategies and best practices; ### 42. emphasises , furthermore , that where ecis and petitions have an impact – especially involving mass media coverage or consideration by the commission or parliament – they should be examined to pinpoint successful strategies and best practices that could be used as learning in the future;


### 1. ‘whereas the citizens of the union have the right enshrined in article 11(4) teu to apply to the commission directly to ask it to submit a proposal , within the framework of its powers , for a legal act of the union for the purpose of implementing the treaties; whereas the court of justice of the european union has confirmed in its case law that the notion of a ‘legal act for the purpose of implementing the treaties’ should not be interpreted restrictively and that by virtue of article 288 tfeu such an act can mean both legislative and non-legislative measures’; ### 1. ‘whereas the citizens of the union have the right enshrined in article 11(4) teu to apply to the commission directly to ask it to submit a proposal , within the framework of its powers , for a legal act of the union for the purpose of implementing the treaties; whereas the court of justice of the european union has confirmed in its case law that the notion of a ‘legal act for the purpose of implementing the treaties’ should not be interpreted restrictively and that by virtue of article 288 tfeu such an act can mean both legislative and non-legislative measures; whereas , in that same spirit , the eu competences relevant to the proposal should also not be interpreted restrictively;


### 2. ‘whereas the commission has listed a number of problems relating to the implementation of regulation (eu) 2011/211 and whereas the new regulation (eu) 2019/788 aims to address those issues in detail with regard to the effectiveness of the eci as an instrument , and to bring improvements to the way it operates; whereas its implementation needs to be assessed effectively and in a timely manner’; ### 2. ‘whereas the commission has listed a number of problems relating to the implementation of regulation (eu) 2011/211 and whereas the new regulation (eu) 2019/788 aims to address those issues in detail with regard to the effectiveness of the eci as an instrument , and to bring improvements to the way it operates; whereas its implementation needs to be assessed effectively and in a timely manner , i.e. no later than 1january 2024 , and every four years thereafter’;


### 7. ‘calls on the commission to clearly inform the public about the division of competences between the union and the member states to make sure that ecis concern subjects and issues that fall within the remit of eu competences to propose legal acts , and to provide practical and timely advice to the organisers on the drafting of ecis and make adequate use of the possibility to partially register an eci; emphasises that recently registered and ongoing ecis have called for the eu to take more action , particularly in the fields of environmental protection , human and animal health , and civil and political rights’; ### 7. ‘calls on the commission to clearly inform the public about the division of competences between the union and the member states to make sure that ecis concern subjects and issues that fall within the remit of eu competences to propose legal acts , and to provide practical and timely advice to the organisers on the drafting of ecis and make adequate use of the possibility to partially register an eci; emphasises that recently registered and ongoing ecis have called for the eu to take more action , particularly in the fields of environmental protection , human and animal health , and civil and political rights; therefore reiterates the need to give the eu competences relevant to the proposal the broadest possible interpretation';


### 8. ‘asks the commission to fully assess experiences with the introduction of the temporary measures in regulation (eu) 2020/1042 , with particular regard to the extension of the collection periods and its impact on organisers’ ability to mobilise support for their ecis , in order to inform inter alia the review process of regulation (eu) 2019/788’; ### 8. ‘asks the commission to fully assess experiences with the introduction of the temporary measures in regulation (eu) 2020/1042 , with particular regard to the extension of the collection periods and its impact on organisers’ ability to mobilise support for their ecis , in order to inform inter alia the review process of regulation (eu) 2019/788’; considers that if this assessment results in positive evidences , an extension of these temporary measures could be envisaged for a longer term';


### 8. ‘asks the commission to fully assess experiences with the introduction of the temporary measures in regulation (eu) 2020/1042 , with particular regard to the extension of the collection periods and its impact on organisers’ ability to mobilise support for their ecis , in order to inform inter alia the review process of regulation (eu) 2019/788’; ### 8. ‘asks the commission to evaluate the temporary measures in regulation (eu) 2020/1042 , with particular regard to the extension of the collection periods and its impact on organisers’ ability to mobilise support for their ecis , in order to inform inter alia the review process of regulation (eu) 2019/788’;


### 10. ‘highlights the need to establish a proper follow-up mechanism for unsuccessful ecis in order to take citizens’ input seriously , including redirecting citizens to the committee on petitions , as the lack of impact could lead to disengagement; underlines the role that the committee on petitions must play throughout hearing processes; calls on the commission to collaborate in a timely manner with parliament after an eci is deemed valid in order to enable parliament to make full use of the three-month period for the organisation of hearings and prepare the plenary debates and resolutions on valid ecis; insists that the objective of the longer timeframe under regulation (eu) 2019/788 by which the commission should respond to valid ecis is fundamentally to enable the commission to take full account of the views and positions on the ecis expressed during the examination phase and to take due consideration of the possible options for the proposals for legal acts’; ### 10. ‘highlights the need to establish a proper follow-up mechanism for unsuccessful ecis in order to effectively assess citizens’ input , including redirecting citizens to the committee on petitions , as the lack of impact could lead to disengagement; underlines the role that the committee on petitions must play throughout hearing processes; calls on the commission to collaborate in a timely manner with parliament after an eci is deemed valid in order to enable parliament to make full use of the three-month period for the organisation of hearings and prepare the plenary debates and resolutions on valid ecis; insists that the objective of the longer timeframe under regulation (eu) 2019/788 by which the commission should respond to valid ecis is fundamentally to enable the commission to take full account of the views and positions on the ecis expressed during the examination phase and to take due consideration of the possible options for the proposals for legal acts’;


### b. whereas approximately 1 % of all petitions received each year by the committee on petitions relate to various disability issues; whereas social protection and employment rights , use of the european structural and investment funds in compliance with eu regulations and the un convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (un crpd) , and other issues falling within the competences of the committee on employment and social affairs , are among the most common disability equality concerns voiced in the petitions received by parliament; ### b. whereas approximately 1 % of all petitions received each year by the committee on petitions relate to disability issues persons with disabilities face; whereas social protection and employment rights , use of the european structural and investment funds in compliance with eu regulations and the un crpd , and other issues falling within the competences of the committee on employment and social affairs , are among the most common disability equality concerns voiced in the petitions received by parliament;


### 1. calls on the commission to ensure that the member states comply with the relevant eu and un obligations on the rights of persons with disabilities , in particular the un crpd and the crpd committee’s general comments to the convention , and with the relevant eu measures and funding rules , and to provide support to them in this regard; ### 1. calls on the commission to ensure that the eu and the member states to fully comply with the relevant eu and un obligations on the rights of persons with disabilities , in particular the un crpd and the crpd committee’s general comments to the convention , and with the relevant eu measures and funding rules , and to provide support to them in this regard; calls on the commission to ensure that the use of structural funds upholds the rights of persons with disabilities and fully complies with the aims , goals and principles enshrined in the un crpd , such as independent living , inter alia by setting up special monitoring and individual complaint system;


### 2. calls on the commission and the member states to harmonise the definition of disability and to ensure mutual recognition of disability status across member states , so as to ensure the free movement of persons with disabilities and their enjoyment of their eu citizenship rights; ### 2. calls on the commission and the member states to adopt a uniform european definition of disability , in line with article 1 of the un crpd , and to ensure mutual recognition of disability status across member states , so as to ensure the free movement of persons with disabilities and their enjoyment of their eu citizenship rights;


### a. whereas the committee on employment and social affairs highly appreciates the role of the committee on petitions as a bridge between the union’s citizens , parliament and the other eu institutions; ### a. whereas the committee on employment and social affairs highly appreciates the role of the committee on petitions as a bridge between the union’s citizens , parliament and the other eu institutions; whereas submission of a petition to the european parliament is a fundamental right of every individual and organisation based in the eu and at the same time an indispensable direct source of factual information on the experience of persons with disabilities with the exercise of their rights guaranteed by the eu law and the un convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (un crpd);


### c. whereas it is generally acknowledged that persons with disabilities continue to face multiple obstacles and discrimination in everyday life and that they do not enjoy the fundamental freedoms and rights laid down in numerous eu and un documents , such as mutual recognition of disability status between member states , access to public transport , accessibility of the built environment , use of sign languages , financing of and equal access to education and vocational training , access to personal assistance and community inclusion; ### c. whereas persons with disabilities continue to face multiple obstacles and discrimination in everyday life and that they do not enjoy the fundamental freedoms and rights laid down in the fundamental eu treaties and un human rights instruments , such as mutual recognition of disability status between member states , access to public transport , accessibility of the built environment , use of sign languages , financing of and equal access to education and vocational training , access to personal assistance and community inclusion;


### d. whereas several petitions were submitted in regard to the misuse of eu funds for deinstitutionalisation of persons with disabilities; ### d. whereas several petitions were submitted in regard to the misuse of eu funds for deinstitutionalisation of persons with disabilities; whereas the progress in deinstitutionalisation is uneven across the member states and despite the introduction of policies and the allocation of substantial funding in the eu , there are still one million people living in institutions; whereas in february 2021 the european ombudsman opened an own-initiative inquiry into the role of the commission in ensuring that member states use eu funds with a view to promoting independent living for persons with disabilities and older persons , and transitioning away from residential care institutions;


### 1. underlines the need to ensure that inclusion and diversity are at the core of the implementation of erasmus+ , one of the eu’s most successful programmes; regrets the different definitions and categories of learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities1 across member states and the lack of reliable data on the profiles of the beneficiaries; believes that an instrument should be developed to monitor whether participants from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are being reached by the programme; ### 1. underlines the need to ensure that inclusion , diversity , equal opportunities and access are at the core of the implementation of erasmus+ , one of the eu’s most successful programmes so far; regrets that only 17% of the overall numbers of learners reached by the programme in 2014-2020 were learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities1a; highlights the need to further broaden the definition and interpretation of learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities2a , adding an additional focus on age; stresses the difficulties in accessing to and monitoring of reliable data regarding the profiles of the beneficiaries reached by the programme; therefore , believes that an instrument should be developed to monitor whether and how participants from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are being reached by the programme;


### 2. highlights that erasmus+ should support stakeholders’ and programme participants’ internationalisation plans that remove physical , psychological , social , socioeconomic , linguistic and other types of barriers to learning mobility and that offer qualitative support , including mentoring , for participants from underrepresented groups and/or with specific needs before , during and after a period abroad; ### 2. highlights that erasmus+ should support stakeholders’ and programme participants’ internationalisation plans that remove physical , psychological , social , socioeconomic , linguistic and other types of barriers to learning mobility and that offer qualitative support , including reinforced mentorship , for participants from underrepresented groups and/or with specific needs before , during and after a period abroad;


### 2. highlights that erasmus+ should support stakeholders’ and programme participants’ internationalisation plans that remove the physical , psychological , social , socio-economic , linguistic and other types of barriers to learning mobility and that offer clear and detailed information and qualitative support for participants from under-represented groups and those with specific needs; ### 2. highlights that erasmus+ should support stakeholders’ and programme participants’ internationalisation plans that remove the physical , psychological , social , socio-economic , linguistic , digital and other types of barriers to learning mobility and that offer clear and detailed information and qualitative support for participants from under-represented , economic and social disadvantaged groups and those with specific needs;


### 3. draws attention to the under-resourcing and understaffing of erasmus+ national agencies and national authorities and the insufficient efforts to reduce administrative barriers to mobility and ensure that diversity and inclusion are at the core of the programme; believes that national agencies should appoint an inclusion and diversity officer to reach out to learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities and provide them with advice regarding possible difficulties they may experience during their erasmus+ programme , such as delayed reimbursements2 or any obstacles caused by external factors such as the covid-19 crisis3 ; ### 3. draws attention to the under-resourcing and understaffing of erasmus+ national agencies and the insufficient efforts to reduce administrative barriers to mobility; underlines that national agencies have a crucial role in ensuring that projects are as inclusive and diverse as possible; therefore , believes that all national agencies should appoint an inclusion and diversity officer to reach out to learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities and increase their levels of information and awareness about the opportunities in place and how access them as well as to provide them with advice regarding possible difficulties they may experience during their erasmus+ programme , such as delayed reimbursements2 or any obstacles caused by external and contingency factors such as the covid-19 crisis3 ; stresses that a supportive approach to beneficiaries with special needs and/or fewer opportunities is key to help removing barriers preventing their full participation to the programme;


### 3. stresses the crucial need for adapted funding and grants , such as pre-financing and lump sums , as financial barriers continue to be one of the biggest obstacles faced by people with fewer opportunities in erasmus+; ### 3. stresses the crucial need for adapted funding and grants , such as pre-financing and lump sums , as financial barriers continue to be one of the biggest obstacles faced by people with fewer opportunities in erasmus+; underlines the need to reduce the bureaucracy , for european and national calls , and provide specific integrated support for participants from disadvantaged groups and smaller organizations in order to increase their participation in the program;


### 3. stresses the crucial need for adapted funding and grants , such as pre-financing and lump sums , as financial barriers continue to be one of the biggest obstacles faced by people with fewer opportunities in erasmus+; ### 3. stresses the crucial need for adapted funding and grants , such as pre-financing and lump sums , as financial barriers continue to be one of the biggest obstacles faced by people with fewer opportunities in erasmus+; in this regard , stresses the need to apply flexible rules in the support of additional expenses for participants with fewer opportunities or from disadvantaged backgrounds and to provide sufficient financial amount to cover their needs;


### 4. believes that erasmus+ should encourage stakeholders to share their expertise at an institutional level , learn from each other , build administrative capacity and foster inclusion and diversity; welcomes , in this sense , specific efforts to support cooperation between different stakeholders and to develop and implement inclusive policies that seek to integrate children and young people from migrant backgrounds into education; considers , however , that these efforts should be expanded in the field of higher education; ### 4. believes that erasmus+ should encourage stakeholders to share their expertise at an institutional level , learn from each other , build administrative capacity in view of fostering inclusion and diversity; welcomes , in this sense , specific efforts to support cooperation between different stakeholders and to develop and implement inclusive policies that seek to integrate children and young people from migrant backgrounds into education; considers , however , that these efforts should be expanded in the field of higher education;


### 4. urges the commission to tackle without delay the serious persistent issues related to erasmus+ it tools , which hamper not only the participation of smaller organisations and people with fewer opportunities , but also the participation of all kinds of beneficiaries; ### 4. urges the commission to make sure that existing digital tools are working properly and at full extent and to tackle without delay the serious persistent issues related to erasmus+ it tools , which significantly hamper not only the participation of smaller organisations and people with fewer opportunities , but also the participation of all kinds of beneficiaries; with regard to the newly introduced it tools , which should make the whole experience of mobility smoother , calls on the commission to sufficiently test them on a large scale before their implementation;


### 4. urges the commission to tackle without delay the serious persistent issues related to erasmus+ it tools , which hamper not only the participation of smaller organisations and people with fewer opportunities , but also the participation of all kinds of beneficiaries; ### 4. urges the commission to tackle without delay the serious persistent issues related to erasmus+ it tools , by making the process also easier and accessible for all groups , which hamper not only the participation of smaller organisations and people with fewer opportunities , but also the participation of all kinds of beneficiaries;


### 5. acknowledges the role of teachers , youth workers and staff as the driving forces behind participating institutions in raising awareness of the programme , in informing and supporting future learners , and identifying people with fewer opportunities , and notes that without them , most participants with fewer opportunities would not be able to take part; calls on the commission , the member states and national agencies to value and acknowledge their often voluntary work , to support them by facilitating their own mobility and to provide them with adequate funding , while accompanying participants with fewer opportunities and offering them specific training adapted to their needs; ### 5. acknowledges the role of teachers , youth workers , youth organizations and representatives , parents , social workers , local authorities and educational staff as the driving forces behind participating institutions in raising awareness of the programme , in informing and supporting future learners , and identifying people with fewer opportunities , and notes that without them , most participants with fewer opportunities would not be able to take part; calls on the commission , the member states and national agencies to value and acknowledge their often voluntary work , to support them by facilitating their own mobility and to provide them with adequate funding , while accompanying participants with fewer opportunities and offering them specific training adapted to their needs;


### 5. acknowledges the role of teachers , youth workers and staff as the driving forces behind participating institutions in raising awareness of the programme , in informing and supporting future learners , and identifying people with fewer opportunities , and notes that without them , most participants with fewer opportunities would not be able to take part; calls on the commission , the member states and national agencies to value and acknowledge their often voluntary work , to support them by facilitating their own mobility and to provide them with adequate funding , while accompanying participants with fewer opportunities and offering them specific training adapted to their needs; ### 5. acknowledges the role of teachers , youth workers and associations as the driving forces behind participating institutions in raising awareness of the programme , in informing and supporting future learners , and identifying people with fewer opportunities , and notes that without them , most participants with fewer opportunities would not be able to take part; calls on the commission , the member states and national agencies to value and acknowledge their often voluntary work , to support them by facilitating their own mobility and to provide them with adequate funding , while accompanying participants with fewer opportunities and offering them specific training adapted to their needs;


### 6. stresses the need for the commission , the member states and national agencies to provide better support for grassroots organisations in all areas , particularly in the outermost regions and rural areas , and to ensure that resources and projects are distributed fairly in each member state; ### 6. stresses the need for the commission , the member states and national agencies to provide better support for grassroots organisations , including smaller ones , in all areas , particularly in the outermost regions and rural areas , and to ensure that resources and projects are distributed fairly in each member state;


### 6. stresses the need for the commission , the member states and national agencies to provide better support for grassroots organisations in all areas , particularly in the outermost regions and rural areas , and to ensure that resources and projects are distributed fairly in each member state; ### 6. stresses the need for the commission , the member states and national agencies to provide better support for grassroots organisations in all areas , particularly in the outermost regions , remote , mountainous and rural areas , and to ensure that resources and projects are distributed fairly in each member state;


### 7. calls on the commission to look closely at the possibility of combining the erasmus+ and interrail programmes5 , and thus foster more equality and inclusion; ### 7. calls on the commission to develop an integrated and coherent approach to inclusion within the different eu programmes for youth and education , including european solidarity corps and esf+; welcomes the commission’s proposal for the 2022 as european year of youth and considers this proposal as an opportunity to develop such integrated approach; calls on the commission to look closely at the possibility of combining the erasmus+ and interrail programmes5 , and thus foster more equality and inclusion;


### 7. stresses the importance of providing better financial and material support to staff , so that they can engage with participants and their families , in order to give them more confidence , while ensuring that mobility projects run smoothly; ### 7. stresses the importance of providing better financial and material support to staff , in addition to further training and additional expertise , so that they can engage with participants and their families , in order to give them more confidence , while ensuring that mobility projects run smoothly;


### 8. calls on the member states to launch and support erasmus+ projects to attract participants with disabilities and learners from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups to their countries; ### 8. stresses that national policy-making regarding learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities should be further stimulated; calls on the member states to support erasmus+ projects to attract participants with disabilities and learners from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups to their countries;


### 9. calls on the commission and the member states to address the lack of familiarity with the erasmus+ programme , information barriers , obstacles to the application process , support services abroad and the challenges relating to the portability of grants faced by persons with disabilities and other participants from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups , including ethnic groups; ### 9. calls on the commission and the member states to properly address the lack of familiarity with the erasmus+ programme , information barriers , obstacles to the application process , adequate support services abroad and the challenges relating to the portability of grants faced by persons with disabilities and other participants from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups , including ethnic groups;


### 9. asks all national agencies to organise targeted information campaigns , both online and offline , and to appoint dedicated inclusion and diversity officers in order to reach out to learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities; ### 9. asks all national agencies to organise targeted information campaigns , both online and offline , and to appoint dedicated inclusion and diversity officers in order to reach out directly to learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities; in this regard , calls also on those organisations that were selected to implement erasmus+ actions to designate dedicated contact persons for people with fewer opportunities to be informed and accompanied as needed; and recalls that information on support services for people with special needs must be clear , up-to-date , complete and easy to access;


### 9. asks all national agencies to organise targeted information campaigns , both online and offline , and to appoint dedicated inclusion and diversity officers in order to reach out to learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities; ### 9. asks all national agencies to organise targeted information campaigns , both online and offline , and to appoint dedicated inclusion and diversity officers in order to reach out to learners with special needs and/or fewer opportunities; calls upon the commission to draft a report presenting the activities and actions deployed by member states in tackling the issue of inclusion within the program;


### 10. welcomes , in this regard , the commission’s approach to promoting diversity and inclusion in the current erasmus+ programme. ### 10. welcomes , in this regard , the recent adoption by the commission of the framework to increase diversity and inclusiveness in the current erasmus+ programme as well as in the current european solidarity corps; calls on the commission to closely monitor the future implementation of this framework at national level;


### a. whereas providing equal opportunities for all is , and must continue to be , inherent to the fundamental values of the european union , and whereas people from all backgrounds and walks of life should be able to benefit from erasmus+; ### a. whereas providing equal opportunities for all is , especially in the field of education and training , and must continue to be , inherent to the fundamental values of the european union , and whereas people from all backgrounds and walks of life should be able to benefit from erasmus+;


### a. whereas providing equal opportunities for all is , and must continue to be , inherent to the fundamental values of the european union , and whereas people from all backgrounds and walks of life should be able to benefit from erasmus+; ### a. whereas providing equal opportunities for all is , and must continue to be , inherent to the fundamental values of the european union , and whereas people from all backgrounds and walks of life should be able to benefit fully and equally from erasmus+;


### c. whereas no harmonised and mandatory inclusion strategy was established at european level for the erasmus+ programme; ### c. whereas no harmonised and mandatory inclusion strategy was established at european level for the erasmus+ programme and these shortcomings significantly limit the impact of inclusion measures within the programme;


### d. whereas physical mobility enables immersion in , and optimum interaction with , other cultures , and whereas virtual exchanges and learning are a valuable complement to physical mobility , but do not provide the same experience; ### d. whereas physical mobility enables immersion in , and optimum interaction with , other cultures , and whereas virtual exchanges and learning should only be envisaged as complementary to physical mobility , because do not provide the same experience;


### e. whereas the experience of mobility offered by erasmus+ can be a transformative experience for participants , and can positively influence their self-confidence , openness , critical thinking , employability and well-being; ### e. whereas the experience of mobility offered by erasmus+ can be a transformative experience for participants , and can positively influence their self-confidence , openness , critical thinking , employability , understanding of the benefits of the united europe and well-being;


### e. whereas the experience of mobility offered by erasmus+ can be a transformative experience for participants , and can positively influence their self-confidence , openness , critical thinking , employability and well-being; ### e. whereas the experience of mobility offered by erasmus+ can be a transformative experience for participants , and can positively influence their self-confidence , openness , critical thinking , personal and professional development , employability and well-being;


### 12. regrets the lack of reliable data on the participation of people with fewer opportunities in the erasmus+ programme; underlines the need to gather and monitor a critical mass of reliable data in order to create a management and steering tool for inclusion measures , using methods which respect privacy and do not add undue administrative burdens for organisations and participants; ### 12. regrets the lack of reliable data on the participation of people with fewer opportunities in the erasmus+ programme; in this regard , highlights a dearth of qualitative data on criteria such as participants’ social and ethnic background , as well as gender , that could help to shed further light as to which groups inclusion measures should target; underlines the need to gather and monitor a critical mass of reliable data in order to create a management and steering tool for inclusion measures , using methods which respect privacy and the protection of personal data and do not add undue administrative burdens for organisations and participants;


### 12. regrets the lack of reliable data on the participation of people with fewer opportunities in the erasmus+ programme; underlines the need to gather and monitor a critical mass of reliable data in order to create a management and steering tool for inclusion measures , using methods which respect privacy and do not add undue administrative burdens for organisations and participants; ### 12. regrets the lack of reliable data on the participation of people with fewer opportunities in the erasmus+ programme; underlines the need to gather and monitor a critical mass of reliable data in order to create a management and steering tool for inclusion measures , using methods which respect privacy and data protection regulation and do not add undue administrative burdens for organisations and participants;


### 13. asks for the specific needs of persons with disabilities to be taken into account in order to facilitate their participation in the programme by offering them hybrid mobility by way of preparation for the mobility period , giving them the opportunity to be accompanied , and providing them with suitable and accessible accommodation and specialised support services based on their needs; stresses the need to collect their feedback after the period of mobility in order to improve the participation of future beneficiaries; ### 13. asks for the specific needs of persons with disabilities to be taken into account in order to facilitate their participation in the programme by offering them hybrid mobility by way of preparation for the mobility period , giving them the opportunity to be accompanied , and providing them with suitable and accessible accommodation and specialised support services based on their needs; stresses the need to collect their feedback after the period of mobility in order to improve the participation of future beneficiaries; underlines the need for specific support , guidance and tools allowing them to register and participate in the erasmus+ programmes;


### 14. requests the commission and the member states to ensure that all relevant information regarding erasmus+ is accessible to persons with disabilities , in particular through adapted and barrier-free online tools; welcomes the establishment of ‘erasmus days’ and stresses the importance of the role of former erasmus+ participants and alumni networks in promoting the programme widely; ### 14. requests the commission and the member states to ensure that all relevant information regarding erasmus+ is accessible to persons with disabilities , in particular through adapted and barrier-free online tools; recalls that planning and evaluation processes should be barrier-free; welcomes the establishment of ‘erasmus days’ and stresses the importance of the role of former erasmus+ participants and alumni networks in promoting the programme widely;


### 17. calls on the commission and the member states to use the european year of youth and related events to promote the opportunities offered by the erasmus+ programme; ### 17. with the aim of ensuring that the european year of youth is impactful and effectively improves living and learning conditions and democratic participation of young people in europe , calls on the commission and the member states to use the year and related events to better inform all young people about opportunities made available to them in application of public policies at eu , national , regional and local levels , including those offered by the erasmus+ programme;


### 17. calls on the commission and the member states to use the european year of youth and related events to promote the opportunities offered by the erasmus+ programme; ### 17. calls on the commission and the member states to use the european year of youth and related events to effectively promote the opportunities offered by the erasmus+ programme; encouraging especially those with fewer opportunities , from disadvantaged , rural or remote backgrounds , belonging to vulnerable groups , migrants and refugees to become active citizens;