C 443/10
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
22.11.2022
4.14.
Entrepreneurship represents a key competence for improving competitiveness, innovation and well-being and the development of a social and green economy, even more so in the context of the post-pandemic recovery.
Encouraging entrepreneurship education to develop entrepreneurial skills could be a way to reduce unemployment, especially among young people.
Entrepreneurship in all its forms and sectors (including tourism, industry, platform economy, social economy, liberal professions) is essential for economic growth, innovation, employment and social inclusion.
It is important to identify and respond to the difficulties faced by SMEs (especially very small businesses often with a family character) when accessing the Single Market, particularly in the context of the green and digital transitions.
The EESC invites the Commission to undertake the concrete actions in its Work programme to address the barriers to the Single market already identified (11).
4.15.
The EESC supports the adoption of a combination of economic policies that make effective use of available domestic resources, both public and private, including the financial resources created within the framework of the Next Generation EU and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The identified lack of involvement of civil society organisations has been and is a matter of concern for the EESC.
Organised civil society asks for more formal procedures that facilitate real exchanges in the implementation and evaluation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans.
The partnership principle should serve as a blueprint for an effective mechanism of civil society involvement.
4.16.
The EESC supports the Commission’s legislative proposals in the area of company taxation and praises their coordination with the global discussions carried out at the OECD/Inclusive Framework level in order to achieve a global consensus.
4.17.
The Committee backs any effort aimed at reducing compliance costs for European companies and tax authorities when devising the new tax system.
European businesses must not be brought to a competitive disadvantage.
The full implementation of Pillar 2 of the Global tax agreement will be complex and is going to require a long time and significant effort, both by companies and tax authorities.
A uniform adoption and implementation in the EU and other trading blocs at the same time of internationally agreed rules are of paramount interest to the EU and its Member States.
4.18.
Social entrepreneurship deserves particular attention in view of the role this form of entrepreneurship can play in overcoming the crisis.
The implementation of the action plan for the social economy will play a key role in strengthening this sector.
The definition of a specific social economy ecosystem in the new industrial strategy must lead to concrete actions to make the social economy green, digital and resilient.
4.19.
After the pandemic there is an increased need for fostering quality learning mobility for all and recognition of its learning outcomes, therefore the EESC promotes building a true European Education Area by 2025 for a learning Europe.
This is achieved through funding and, above all, through cross-sectoral cooperation in the field of education.
4.20.
A modern consumer policy must ensure that consumers have the rights and protection they need.
The Single Market makes it easier for EU consumers and businesses to buy and sell goods and services across borders, both online and offline.
This requires trust and confidence in the market, targeted legislation and effective enforcement.
Consumer information and training must also help them to make more responsible choices.
4.21.
The access to volunteer involvement needs to be improved and increased in scope and quality.
The potential for volunteer engagement of people of all ages and backgrounds should be explored and implemented within innovative and flexible frameworks unlocking new possibilities.
2025 should be declared by the EU as the European Year of Volunteers.
This would be a fitting tribute to the efforts and impact of volunteers during the COVID crisis and the war in Ukraine.
It would highlight their importance to health and well-being in Europe and their role in the recovery and the future of Europe.
4.22.
Liberal professions are a key social and economic factor in all Member States and responsible for important public services in areas such as health, justice, security, language and art.
It is therefore necessary that a specific impact assessment on the consequences of legislative proposals on liberal professions is carried out before and after European legislation is adopted.
In this regard the European legislator shall especially take into account the negative effects of bureaucratic burden on liberal professions.
(11)
See for example ‘Business Journey on the Single Market: Practical Obstacles and Barriers’ (SWD(2020) 54 final), Brussels, 10.3.2020.