Press Maria da Graça Carvalho stresses that swift action is required to stimulate the European Economy

The European Commission has today announced a text that includes 120 recommended proposals aiming to simplify access to European funds. 

The measures set out to simplify the governance of EU funding for, amongst others, SMEs, local and regional government, students and researchers.  Affecting all aspects of the Multiannual Framework Programme 2014-2020, European funding will not only be simpler but also more attractive and accessible.  The MEP points out that European funding "plays a crucial role in economic growth and job creation".

For Maria da Graça Carvalho, the European Commission communication represents "an excellent piece of news, one that means that we are on track.  Nevertheless, we must take action as quickly as possible in the face of the gravity of the current economic crisis if the economy is to develop and begin to create new employment."

The MEP welcomes the fact that the Commission communication includes the 71 recommendations made in her own report on the Simplification of Science and Research Programmes. Maria da Graça Carvalho's report was approved in Parliament on 11 November 2010 and had practically unanimous cross-party support.

Not withstanding the progress that has been made, the MEP considers that it is essential that the European Parliament and the Member States reach an agreement about how best to "reduce red tape in such as way as to ensure that European citizens are able to access EU financing."

Earlier this week, Maria da Graça Carvalho was named the rapporteur for the Budget Committee's opinion to accompany the reports on Framework Programme Horizon 2020.