12 July 2021

Briefing on Slovenian Presidency

Slovenia has assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2021. Slovenia holds its second presidency of the Council and celebrates the 30th anniversary of its independence. Their slogan is: Together. Resilient. Europe. Slovenia is assuming the presidency at a crucial moment when the EU is adopting important packages concerning the green and digital transformation and the building of the EU’s resilience. With regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Slovenian Presidency’s core priorities will be the accessibility to vaccinations and the monitoring of the Delta-variant and other possibly concerning mutations. Their four main pillars are creating a resilient EU that enjoys the trust of its citizens, economic renewal of the EU based on a green and digital transition, a focus on the rule of law and a European way of life and lastly creating a secure EU, a good and reliable partner in the neighbourhood and in the world. Philanthropy’s entry points lie in the agenda’s focus on the rule of law and the aim to interact with civil society in all member states including Eastern Europe and through the Conference on the Future of Europe.

For a detailed overview of the Slovenian Presidency with context, information about Slovenia, its previous presidency of the Council and further reading see our recent publication ‘Briefing on Slovenian Presidency‘.

 

The Presidency

 

As the third Member State after Germany and Portugal, Slovenia will now proceed with the Trio Presidency agenda. The agenda revolves around sustainability, the digital transformation, resilience, citizen participation and European values. The four pillars adopted by Slovenia are as follows:

 

  1. A resilient EU that enjoys the trust of its citizens

Slovenia aims to create a more resilient Europe by prioritising legislative proposals focused on  three proposals related to health (2020/0321 COD, 2020/0320 COD, 2020/0322 COD) and the NIS Directive (2020/0359 COD) related to Cybersecurity. Lastly Slovenia will further the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE).

 

  1. Economic renewal of the EU based on a digital and green transition

Slovenia will see that the Next Generation EU recovery plan will be implemented and will focus on the Climate change fit for 55 legislative package. Slovenia will also focus on reviewing the Digital Services Act (2020/0361 COD), the Digital Markets Act (2020/0374 COD) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (2021/0106 COD) to aid the digital transition.

 

  1. Union based on the rule of law and a European way of life

Slovenia will focus on migration and aims to make progress on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. It aims to strengthen the Schengen area by reviewing the Schengen acquis, and a Revision of the Schengen Borders Code. It will lastly focus on the Rule of Law by focusing on the Rule of Law Report and the Member States that are due for reporting.

 

  1. Secure EU, a good and reliable partner in the neighbourhood and in the world

On the international level, promotion of closer cooperation with the US and with NATO and particular attention to the Western Balkans and the process of EU enlargement with the countries in the region.

 

Entry points for philanthropy

 

  1. General

The first pillar focusing on “a resilient EU that enjoys the trust of its citizens” could provide an entry point for the philanthropy sector as a civil society actor. The focus on the ‘rule of law’ in the third pillar: “Union based on the rule of law and a European way of life”, can be mentioned when advocating the non-discrimination principle. Lastly, the fourth pillar: “Secure EU, a good and reliable partner in the neighbourhood and in the world” is in line with a Single Market for philanthropy and more involvement of Eastern European philanthropic organisations.

We as Philanthropy Advocacy, will closely follow developments related to rule of law, democracy and conditionality of the Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU (EU MFF). We will further monitor and follow developments in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans through our country profiles.

 

  1. CoFoE

The CoFoE is a unique opportunity for European citizens to debate on Europe’s challenges and priorities. We would like to raise awareness and stimulate engagement among in the philanthropy sector about the CoFoE and its entry points. In this Briefing Note we discuss different ways in which the philanthropy sector can engage. For any further questions on the CoFoE and engagement around it, please contact Nikoleta Bitterová: nbitterova@efc.be.

Entry points:

  • European Economic and Social Committee directly – via EFC/Dafne members who are members of the EESC. EESC President holds a seat in the executive board and EESC also signed a MoU with members of the EESC LG including the EFC in order to join forces in view of the Conference and to partner up the organisational and visibility efforts of the EESC and of the LG CSOs at the maximum possible extent.
  • European Parliament: Guy Verhofstadt (BE), Daniel Freund and Helmut Scholz (DE, AFCO) – engaging around the Civil Society Convention for the Conference for the Future of Europe (see more below for explanation) and authors of the Working Document on citizens’ and civil society’s participation in the Conference on the Future of Europe.
  • European Commission: Věra Jourová – the spokesperson for civil society, European Democracy Action Plan is under her auspices, Dubravka Šuica, Maroš Šefčovič.

Timeline:

  • Second half 2021: Launch of EU-wide expert meetings and citizens dialogues (by EU institutions and member states
  • 22-23 October 2021: next Plenary session
  • 2022: Closing Conference, during the French Council Presidency the Conference is expected to reach conclusions and provide guidance on the future of Europe

 

 

For a detailed overview of the Slovenian Presidency with context, information about Slovenia, its previous presidency of the Council and further reading see our recent publication ‘Briefing on Slovenian Presidency‘.