Is Draghi’s proposal to increase investment funds in the EU by 800 billion euros per year in order to strengthen European competitiveness moving in the right direction?

Here’s my response”:

Draghi’s proposal to boost investment in the EU by 800 billion euros per year seems to be a step in the right direction, as it supports strengthening the EU’s competitiveness while aspiring to address its existential challenges such as climate change, social welfare and technological innovation.

The proposal could have a significant positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable European citizens in several ways:

1) Economic Development and Job Creation through investments in areas such as green technologies, artificial intelligence, other technologies, etc.

2) Affordable energy and reduced cost of living. Today European citizens pay significantly more for electricity and gas compared to other regions, with vulnerable households feeling the brunt of these costs.

3) Social Welfare by maintaining the social model of the EU (health care, education and other public benefits).

4) Investments in clean energy and pollution reduction, which will improve environmental conditions, particularly in urban and industrial areas where vulnerable communities are often disproportionately affected.

5) Improved social mobility and skills development for European citizens. The proposed investment in education and innovation hubs could provide access to high quality education and training services to European citizens.

Above all, it could help the most vulnerable to acquire the skills needed to integrate into a more technologically advanced economy, thereby enhancing social mobility and reducing inequality.

In conclusion, the proposal recognizes the need for Europe to act boldly (the proposed investment scale of around 5% of EU GDP is unprecedented and requires major public and private investment). However, its implementation will require significant political will and cooperation from all 27 EU member states.

Therefore, the critical and real questions are:

1. Can the EU overcome internal resistance and the (often) slow and fragmented decision-making process at national and European level?
2. Do the Member States, in our case Greece, want to plan and implement actions that will really respond to the above challenges – goals?

Or e.g. to cite just one example, in the matter of skills creation in Greece, it will continue in the same, of dubious effectiveness, model of Vouchers and actions that recycle, for the most part, mediocre quality knowledge that has little connection with the educational needs of the time and skills of the future.