Spotlight on examples of good administration
Good EU public administration can improve the wellbeing of European citizens and strengthen their belief in democracy.
Whether it be programmes that help combat pressing challenges like climate change or economic inequality, or actions that aid people in times of crisis, or initiatives to improve the transparency and efficiency of administrative procedures, the work of motivated civil servants can make a real difference in people’s lives.
Every two years the European Ombudsman holds an Award for Good Administration to recognise some of the exceptional work done by the EU administration.
This year, we have decided to look back at some of the winning projects in various categories and to ask those responsible what makes their work special.
Assisting people in need in Europe and around the world
Emergency Response Coordination Centre
Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
European Commission
Excellence in International Cooperation winner (2017) & Overall award winner (2021)
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) monitors and coordinates the EU’s response to emergencies in Europe and beyond. Staffed around the clock by trained officers, the ERCC helps ensure the delivery of assistance to disaster-stricken countries, in the form of goods, expertise, civil protection teams and specialised equipment. It also acts as a coordination hub between EU Member States, 10 additional participating states, the affected country, and civil protection and humanitarian experts.
The ERCC’s Ionut-Lucian Homeag and Sien Vanlommel talk about the important role the Centre plays to help people in emergency situations.
More information:
- About the ERCC
- ERCC Portal
Access2Markets - Helping small businesses trade
Directorate-General for Trade
European Commission
Public Vote winner (2021)
Access2Markets is a website that helps EU companies that want to sell products and services to non-EU countries. It includes information on tariffs, taxes, procedures, formalities and requirements, rules of origin, export measures, statistics and trade barriers. The Access2Markets project is the result of a large collaborative effort between the EU administration and external partners.
DG TRADE’s Andrea Scheidl and Petya Popova discuss how the portal works and how it has helped EU companies reach new markets.
More information:
- About Access2Markets
- Company stories
The LIFE programme - improving air quality in EU regions
European Commission and
European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Agency (CINEA)
Excellence in Collaboration winner (2017)
The LIFE programme provides financial support for environmental and climate action projects in the EU. Through a LIFE Integrated Project, the EU worked with regional authorities and civil society in the region centred around Kraków, Poland (Małopolska) to help it implement an air quality plan for the benefit of its inhabitants.
CINEA’s Maja Mikosinska and Wilhelmus (Guido) de Wilt from the Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment explain how the project improved the lives of people in Małopolska and inspired other EU regions to pursue their own plans to improve air quality.
More information:
- Clean air for Małopolska Region (Video)
© European Union, 2024
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