ECU sign the interpellation to the French Presidency of the EU to support the network of Consumer Associations

On the occasion of the French Presidency of the European Union, Sergio Veroli, as President of ECU, has signed an interpellation to President Emmanuel Macron inviting him to provide the network of consumer associations in Europe with the means to operate.

The European Commission, the Parliament and the Council have been working for months on the “New Deal for Customers”, as well as on the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, focusing on the digitization of consumer relationships and on the necessary legislative and administrative adaptations that follow. Digital exclusion is still widespread in EU and it’s due above all to the lack of adequate equipment and knowledge about digital tools and difficulty in using the resulting information. In this field Consumer Association have an essential role. Furthermore, inflation in Europe force millions of
citizens to buy only low-quality products, with all the health, social and
environmental disasters that this will inevitably generate in the short and medium term.

The European minimum wage is a first step, a base beyond which it will be necessary, for all the
Consumer Associations of the EU, to build sustainable means of operation. We need concrete actions in this direction and we ask to President Macron to listen to our expectations, for the benefit of several million European consumers.

Dowload interpellation

Two months left to transpose the EU Unfair Trading Practices Directive

On 2019 the European Parliament and the Council approved the Unfair Trading Practices Directive, which innovates the regulation about trading practice in Europe. Only some members States have already studied innovative solutions to protect agri-food suppliers and others States are late on this theme. Recently, some Civil Society Organizations have signed up a declaration which aims to urge defaulting members to traspose the Directive within May 1st 2021.

Also the polish Association FUNDACJA KUPUJ ODPOWIEDZIALNIE, which is an ECU member, signed up the declaration.

Click here to download the document

Click here to download the Unfair Trading Practices Directive

Press release Cittadinanzattiva – ECU – Asvis

Sustainable Development Goals: the Inter-Institutional Group promoted by civic organizations for an inclusive and sustainable Europe is born. Today the launch event!

Civil society organizations, together with European Institutions to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): this is the main message of the new political initiative that will be launched at the European level, tomorrow, the 16th February, in the occasion of the conference “Making sustainability an easy choice for EU citizens”.
Promoted by Cittadinanzattiva – through its European branch Active Citizenship Network (ACN) – by the European Consumers Union association (ECU) and by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS), the Inter-Institutional Group “SDG’s for well-being and consumers’ protection” is currently supported by eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from different countries and political groups: Nikos Androulakis (Greece – S&D); Tanja Fajon (Slovenia – S&D); Jose Gusmão (Portugal – GUE/NGL); Aldo Patriciello (Italy – EPP); Sabrina Pignedoli (Italy – NI); Giuliano Pisapia (Italy – S&D); Marcos Ros Sempere (Spain – S&D); Patrizia Toia (Italy – S&D).
Representatives of the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee will also participate in the conference, underlining the interest in the initiative.
The Inter-Institutional Group was born from the desire of civil society to contribute to the SDGs and the Green New Deal, convinced that the empowerment of citizens and consumers should be the pillar of the transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable Europe. In concrete terms, it intends to provide its contribution by aiming to be a catalyst for sensitivities that come from civil society, companies, research, media, etc. On a national and European level: it is a facilitator in the dialogue between European institutions and stakeholders active in specific sectors; an incubator of good practices, to facilitate the process of exchange, conveying and dissemination of the best practices that prove as useful in guiding EU companies and citizens towards making sustainable choices.
The initiative is also supported by 47 national and European associations – representing 24 European nations, and 2 non-EU nations – united in the “SDGs Stakeholder Network.”
“This initiative is for us a concrete example of the thematic Citizens’ Agora encouraged by the Resolution of the European Parliament of 15 January 2020. Our intention is that this Inter-Institutional Group, as expressly indicated in the founding Manifest, is open to all members of EU institutions interested in collaborating with citizens and their organizations to make Europe a global point of reference in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, we would like this Group to support public and private actors, involved in the implementation of consumer policies, so that they can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. The sponsoring associations began working on the initiative well before the European elections of May 2019, with the desire to help guide consumer policies, and with this, the varied consumerist movement, to achieve the goals set by the 2030 Agenda,” as Anna Lisa Mandorino, deputy general secretary of Cittadinanzattiva, stated.

“The demand for public and private choices in favor of sustainable development has never been stronger; the crisis made clear the profound interactions between the environmental, social, economic and institutional dimensions of our world, that is to say, the four pillars of the 2030 Agenda. The European Union has shown the way forward and the Member States must be protagonists of this transformation to reap its benefits. Europe in 2030 can be much better off than what we had a year ago. Vision, courage, innovation, persistence and participation are essential to achieve a more sustainable Europe and the wealth of knowledge and civic commitment of the member organizations of the interinstitutional group are available to European institutions to make the best possible choices, “leaving no one behind”, commented ASviS President Pierluigi Stefanini.

“2020 was probably the worst year humanity has known since the end of the Second World War, but the green turning point announced by Ursula von der Leyen represents a fundamental choice for the EU. This new policy, however, will require the joint action of the state, public sectors, consumer associations, trade unions and citizens. It will demand what a sociologist has called a “concertation governance.” It will have to face not only lobbies and corporatism but also apathy and indifference. It will have to call for an “awakening” of the citizen that should take place with the awareness of the vital problems at stake. For these reasons, we have chosen to organize this initiative, and the ECU shall dedicate its commitment and resources to determine shared choices with companies, and with representatives of institutions, in favor of the sustainable development of society” stated Sergio Veroli, President of ECU.

The manifesto of the Inter-Institutional Group and more information on the initiative are available on the website: http://interestgroupsdgs.eu

Cittadinanzattiva APS – Press Office
Alessandro Cossu: (+39) 348 334 7608
Aurora Avenoso: (+39) 348 334 7603
[email protected]

Digital launch event of the Inter-institutional Group “SDGs for well-being and consumers’ protection”

February 16th, 2021 from 10:00 to 12:00

Just after the 2019 European elections, Active Citizenship Network (ACN), the EU branch of the NGO Cittadinanzattiva, the European umbrella association European Consumers Union (ECU) and the coalition Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS) decided to promote a political initiative that aims to create the informal Inter-institutional Group “SDGs for well-being and consumers’ protection”.

The Inter-Institutional Group represents the desire of the civil society to contribute to the SDGs and the Green New Deal, aiming to discuss and raise awareness on how the individual, as a consumer, can give her/his contribution. In fact, we strongly believe that citizen and consumer empowerment should be the pillar of the transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable Europe.

The group is opened to the members of the EU Institutions that wish to work together with the civil society to ensure that Europe will be a global leader in the development and implementation of the SDGs.

The Inter-institutional Group aims to be a:

Awareness rising catalyst across Europe for civil society, business, research, media,etc. at local, national and European level.
Dialogue facilitator between the European institutions and stakeholders active in specific fields.
Incubator of good practices in order to facilitate the process of exchange, contamination and dissemination of best practices to enable EU citizens to make sustainable choices.

The Inter-institutional Group “SDGs for well-being and consumers’ protection” will be presented during the digital conference “Makingsustainability an easy choice for EU citizens” that will be held on February 16th, 2021 from 10:00 to 12:00.

To the event will partecipate also ECU President Sergio Veroli and ECU Secretary General Mariano Votta.

Download programme

Register here

Read more on the Inter-institutional Group website

Foodsafety4eu project

Food safety is a top priority for the European Commission. The central goal is to assure a high level of protection of human health through safe products by the food industry – the Europe’s largest manufacturing and employment sector. The EU-funded FOODSAFETY4EU project will design, develop and release a multi-stakeholder platform for the future European Food Safety System (FSS). The platform aims to establish a network of FSS actors at national, European and international level. It will enable them to access resources and data efficiently, synchronise food safety research strategies, share and exchange scientific knowledge and contribute to transparent communication regarding the FSS. The FOODSAFETY4EU platform will maximise cooperation within the system and with the civil society boosting the co-creation of strategies and their translation into policies and funding programmes.
The multi annual project “FoodSafety4EU” is officially started on Jan 1, 2021. The main goal of the project is to start planning integrated actions to put the basis for building together the platform for the Food Safety System of the future in Europe. The goal will be reached through a participatory process by a network of 23 partners (Food Safety Authorities, expert in food safety research, social innovation and communication, ICT company, industry and consumer associations) interacting with the 44 project’s stakeholders, named “Supporting Partners”. ECU is one of the “Supporting Partners” and has been invited for the “FoodSafety4EU Supporting Partners Meeting” during the Kick-Off Meeting on 29 January 2021.

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ECU General Assembly 29 january 2021

On friday 29 january 2021 took place ECU General Assembly.

Sergio Veroli (ECU President), Mariano Votta (ECU Secretary General) and Alessandro Mostaccio (Member of the European Economic and Social Committee) partecipated at the meeting. Moreover, Maurizio Serpieri (European Commission DG Consumer and Justice) explained the new European Consumers’ Agenda. The programme included also a discussion with ECU members and the approval of the economic balance, which was illustrated by ECU accountant, Luca Di Maio.

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Speech President Sergio Veroli

Speech Secretary General Mariano Votta

Speech Alessandro Mostaccio (Movimento Consumatori Secretary General)

The New Consumer Agenda


Photogallery

ECU General Assembly

29 january 2021

Link for the connection: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85775267411?pwd=VnkrSCtOSFNqTkdmeU5YUVFkNm1Bdz09
ID: 857 7526 7411
Passcode: 615787

Programme

Welcome address and keynote presentation
• 10:00 – 10:10: Sergio Veroli, ECU President

Overview on the new European Consumers’ Agenda
• 10:10 – 10:40: Massimo Serpieri, Deputy Head of Unit – European Commission DG Justice & Consumers – Unit E1 – Consumer Policy
• 10:40 – 11:00: Q&A

ECU activities and achievements
• 11:00 – 11:20: Mariano Votta, ECU Secretary General
• 11:20 – 11:40: Alessandro Mostaccio, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee

Discussion with ECU members
• 11:40 – 12:10: Space dedicated to associations
Approval of the economic balance
• 12:10 – 12:25: Luca Di Maio, ECU Accountant
• 12:26 – 12:35: Q&A

Conclusions
• 12:35 – 12:40: Mariano Votta, ECU Secretary General

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BIOnTOP project: ECU partecipates as official stakeholder

In March 2020, ECU become official stakeholder of the BIOnTOP project, thanks to its Italian member Movimento Consumatori. This project aims at delivering bio-based recyclable-by-design cost competitive packaging solutions that can be mechanically recycled, industrially or home compostable, or suitable for anaerobic digestion. Leading experts from 21 organisations based in 8 European countries form the project consortium.

This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837761”

Read more on https://biontop.eu/

Vzdelávacie programy pre nezamestnaných


Tlačová správa (Stará Ľubovňa, 01.09.2020)
Asociácia spotrebiteľkých subjektov Slovenska ukončila dvojročný projekt vzdelávania, ktorý vznikol ako spoločný program európskych spotrebiteľských organizácií z Grécka, Talianska, Českej republiky a Slovenska a reaguje na problémy nezamestnanosti mladých ľudí v krajinách Európskej únie. Štatistické údaje potvrdzujú, že k 31.01.2019 bolo na Slovensku evidovaných 41 204 nezamestnaných do 29 rokov, z nich jedna tretina mala len základné a nižšie stredné vzdelanie.
Inovačný program zväčšuje ponuku vzdelávania pre nezamestnaných do 29 rokov s nízkou úrovňou zručností alebo nízkou kvalifikáciou a výmenou skúsenosti podporuje rozvoj odbornosti vzdelávateľov.
Program spotrebiteľského vzdelávania začal výskumom vzdelávacích potrieb nezamestnaných a na tomto základe vytvoril prípadové štúdie z každodenného života spotrebiteľov. Ku prípadovým štúdiám bola vytvorená metodika s cieľom podporiť rozvoj spoločenských a občianskych kompetencií a rozvoj komunikácie v materinskom jazyku. Inovatívny program bol doplnený o inovatívne nástroje na meranie rozvoja kľúčových kompetencií.
Program spotrebiteľského vzdelávania bol overený na vzorke nezamestnaných do 29 rokov vo všetkých krajinách partnerov projektu. Závery z overovania potvrdzujú, že obsah a metodika vzdelávania podporujú záujem nezamestnaných ďalej sa vzdelávať a rozvíjať kľúčové kompetencie potrebné pre celoživotné vzdelávanie a uplatnenie na trhu práce.
Vzbudenie záujmu nezamestnaných o vzdelávanie naznačuje možnosti ako pomôcť nezamestnaným s nízkou úrovňou zručností alebo nízkou kvalifikáciou pri hľadaní uplatnenia v spoločnosti a na trhu práce. Súčasná podpora riešenia nezamestnanosti mladých ľudí zvýhodňuje prípravu nezamestnaných pre konkrétne pozície na trhu práce. V súčasnej vzdelanostne orientovanej ekonomike by sme očakávali, že štát podporuje aj programy ďalšieho vzdelávania nezamestnaných, aby si rozvíjali kľúčové kompetencie potrebné pre celoživotné vzdelávanie a využili ich pri hľadaní a uplatnení na trhu práce.
Božena Stašenková, koordinátorka projektu ERASMUS+

ΣΤΗΡΙΞΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΕΡΓΩΝ!

Η μετάβαση στην ανεργία δεν αποτελεί μια ευχάριστη εμπειρία ζωής. Ακόμα πιο δυσάρεστη εμπειρία είναι η παραμονή σε αυτή τη θέση για πολλά χρόνια. Η εύρεση κάποιας θέσης στην αγορά εργασίας  μπορεί να επιτευχθεί με ιδιαίτερη επιτυχία για όσους ξέρουν πώς να επιλέξουν με βάση την τρέχουσα προσφορά, διαθέτουν εκπαίδευση και προσόντα. Τι γίνεται όμως με τους άνεργους που στερούνται εκπαίδευσης και προσόντων;

Ξεκινήσαμε το έργο τον Οκτώβριο του 2018 με στόχο την υποστήριξη της εκπαίδευσης των ανέργων ηλικίας κάτω των 29 ετών. Σύμφωνα με την Ελληνική Στατιστική Υπηρεσία μέχρι τις 31.12.2018 στην Ελλάδα είχαν καταχωρηθεί 231.215 ενήλικες άνεργοι ηλικίας μέχρι 29 ετών, 25.519 εκ των οποίων είχαν ολοκληρώσει την πρωτοβάθμια και δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση, γεγονός που σημαίνει ότι 11,03% των ενήλικων ανέργων ηλικίας μέχρι 29 ετών είχαν ολοκληρώσει την πρωτοβάθμια και κατώτερη δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση.

Η πολυετής εμπειρία στον τομέα της εκπαίδευσης των καταναλωτών μας έχει δείξει ότι η εκπαίδευση των καταναλωτών ως διατομεακή επιμόρφωση στα χρηματοοικονομικά, στα μέσα ενημέρωσης, στην περιβαλλοντική και νομική εκπαίδευση, είναι χρήσιμη για όλες τις ηλικιακές ομάδες επειδή βασίζεται στην πραγματική ζωή και έχει άμεση εφαρμογή στην καθημερινή ζωή. Αναπτύξαμε αυτήν την ιδέα μέσω ενός διεθνούς προγράμματος  με συνεργαζόμενους οργανισμούς στην Ιταλία, στην Ελλάδα, στην Τσεχική Δημοκρατία και τη Σλοβακία. Μέσα σε διάρκεια δύο ετών, εντοπίσαμε τις εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες των ανέργων, δημιουργήσαμε περιπτωσιολογικές μελέτες από την καθημερινή ζωή των καταναλωτών και προτείναμε μια στρατηγική για την ανάπτυξη και την αξιολόγηση της ανάπτυξης των Βασικών Ικανοτήτων.

Παρά τα προβλήματα που προκάλεσε η πανδημία, δοκιμάσαμε μεμονωμένα κομμάτια του εκπαιδευτικού προγράμματος σε κάθε χώρα. Μελέτες περίπτωσης από τη σύγχρονη ζωή, υποστηρίζουν την προθυμία των ανέργων να μάθουν και να προσπαθούν σε διάφορους τομείς, να επιλύουν εργασίες και προβλήματα, να συνεργάζονται, να επικοινωνούν και να εφαρμόζουν ό,τι έχουν μάθει, σε καταστάσεις στην καθημερινή ζωή. Οι άνεργοι εκδήλωσαν ενδιαφέρον να συμμετάσχουν σε περαιτέρω εκπαίδευση και εξέφρασαν ότι αυτή η μορφή εκπαίδευσης τους βοηθά να εκφράζουν τις ιδέες τους πιο αποτελεσματικά, να επικοινωνήσουν και να παρουσιάζουν τη δικές τους συμπεριφορές. Οι συζητήσεις με τους άνεργους, μας επιβεβαίωσαν ότι το πρόγραμμα εκπαίδευσης των καταναλωτών έχει κινήσει το ενδιαφέρον τους για περαιτέρω εκπαίδευση, αναγνωρίζοντας την αξία της δια βίου μάθησης και την επιρροή που ασκεί στις ευκαιρίες της ζωής.

Γεννιούνται εκ των πραγμάτων ερωτήματα. Το υφιστάμενο σύστημα επιτρέπει στους άνεργους να προετοιμαστούν για να καλύψουν θέσεις στην αγορά εργασίας; Ποιες ευκαιρίες εκπαίδευσης δημιουργούνται για όσους έχουν φοιτήσει μόνο στην πρωτοβάθμια και δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση; Τα αποτελέσματα του έργου Ανάπτυξη Βασικών Ικανοτήτων των Ενηλίκων μέσω ενός Καινοτόμου Προγράμματος Εκπαίδευσης των Καταναλωτών θα μπορούσαν να αποτελέσουν τη βάση για να ανοίξει ένας νέος διάλογος με τα αρμόδια Υπουργεία και Φορείς.