The European Union has adopted its new economic strategy entitled ‘Europe 2020’. A major EU policy framework, it will form the basis of the direction for the European integration project in the 10 years to come.

The strategy sets out to boost competitiveness and productivity without hampering social cohesion. To reach this objective, five headline targets have been established:

- reduction of poverty;

- an employment rate of 75 % of the working age population;

- meeting the EU's climate and energy targets: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, increased share of renewables in energy consumption and improved energy efficiency;

- reduction of school drop-out rates and more students in higher education; and

- 3% of the EU's GDP should be invested in research and innovation.

Read the following articles, viewpoints and press releases on the topic:

• The EU 2020 Strategy: Analysis and Perspectives, Culture Action Europe

• Europa Press Release

• Public Consultations on the Europe 2020 Strategy, European Commission

• Europe 2020 – Public Consultation: Overview of Responses, European Commission

• Lisbon Strategy Evaluation Document, European Commission

• Europe 2020 Timeline

• Culture Action Europe’s contribution to the EU 2020 consultation

• "Europe 2020": Green growth and jobs?, EuroActif website

• Strategy for Employment and Growth, Council of the European Union

• EU 2020 Strategy,  European Centre for International Political Economy

Image credit: Arhitects' Council of Europe website