The European Commission's 2022 Work Programme aims for a greener, fairer, more digital and more resilient Europe
On 19 October 2021, the European Commission adopted its Work Programme for 2022, which includes 42 new policy initiatives across all six ambitions of President Ursula von der Leyen's - a European Green Deal, a Europe fit for the digital age, an economy that works for people, a stronger Europe in the world, Promoting our European way of life, a new push for European democracy.
Research and innovation will play a key role in addressing the challenges Europe is currently facing and in the digital and green transitions. The Work Programme will also focus on security and defence technologies to foster research, technology and innovation and strengthen European independence in the security and defence sector. Another research priority will be the EU's pharmaceutical sector, which should be future-proof and crisis-resistant a should ensure access to affordable high-quality medicines for all EU citizens and enhance security of supply. Regarding a Health research, a Recommendation on cancer screening aims early diagnosis reflecting the latest available scientific evidence.
The Work Programme focuses also on the area of education. Moreover, the year 2022 will be a European Year of Youth 2022. Next year will also focus on disadvantaged young people who are not in any kind of education, employment or training (NEETs). That is also why a new initiative called ALMA (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve) will be introduced to enable them to gain professional experience abroad, with the necessary social support, in order to integrate them into education, training or quality employment. The work programme also addresses the issue of childcare, with a particular focus on children with disabilities and children from disadvantaged groups. In the field of universities, the European Commission will present and EU Strategy for Universities, which should deepen and sustain cooperation between universities and maintain their global leadership. This strategy will be prepared together with the initiatives to improve digital in school and higher education to ensure coherence.
More information can be found in the press release of European Commission or in the Work Programme 2022.