TheMayor.EU 2 3 TheMayor.EU Interview Read our interview with EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel on the challenges of the future EU Commissioner er explicitly stated or not, culture is Horizon Europe program and the EU part of it. Structural Funds will play a particu- Culture and cultural heritage are larly important role. Mariya Gabriel: the cornerstones of European integra- - As Commissioner responsible tion and are аn essential resources for for Education and Youth, one of Europe. 2018 was the European Year the most important programs un- The future of Cultural Heritage, and we know der your jurisdiction is Erasmus +. from research that most Europeans What are your plans for its develop- are proud of our common cultural ment in the next 5 years? heritage. They state that it is import- - Erasmus is a European success of Europe is ant for them to feel like they belong to story that has proven its added value Europe. for more than three decades. The pro- What would happen to our cities gram is an effective way of addressing and communities without their mu- many of the societal challenges fac- eCommerce Week of UNCTAD by everyone’s future UNCTAD on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0) seums, local traditions and holidays? ing Europe. In the future, we need a What would Europe be like without bigger, stronger, better Erasmus + - Mrs. Gabriel, first of all, congratulations Erasmus + Creative Europe, European Solidar- cross-border mobility and the ex- program. We are currently negotiat- on your new appointment and best of luck ity Corps. The coming months will be crucial. change of information on culture and ing with the European Parliament at your new job. Your portfolio as Commis- Over the next five years, we need to address arts? and the Member States. I expect the sioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, several major challenges. We need to strength- That is why we must preserve next seven-year budget for the peri- Education and Youth has undergone several en support for women, especially in the field our cultural heritage as a pillar in a od 2021-2027 to double and why not changes and has increased significantly since of science. We must overcome the division world full of challenges. In this sense, triple. initially proposed. What are your expecta- between East and West in terms of excellence. the cultural dimension is crucial to We need more funding to enable a tions for your new position and how do you We must use the full potential of education, addressing the challenges of educa- wider range of people and organiza- plan to combine so many different sectors? research and culture to promote international tion, innovation, social cohesion and tions to participate in the program. - Taking on this great and important line is cooperation, especially with our neighbours in climate change, as well as regional More people with fewer opportunities, a real privilege and an honor for me. It pro- the Western Balkans. We need to preserve our and urban growth, sustainable de- including disadvantaged or disabled vides tremendous opportunities for our SMEs, cultural heritage as a pillar in an increasingly velopment. We need to work hard for persons, should be able to take ad- start-ups and start-ups to develop and create unpredictable world. Sport is also very import- the EU’s political agenda for inclu- vantage of the prospects offered. We innovation. It is also an opportunity for our ant as a means of promoting inclusion. sion, sustainability and innovation, want funding to be more accessible to young people to acquire the necessary skills for - After a long struggle led by the Europe- without forgetting the international smaller local organizations, such as an increasingly digital labor market. an Parliament, Culture was included in the context and the unique global part- youth groups and sports clubs. Education, research and innovation are name of your portfolio - and of course, what nerships that culture and cultural A stronger Erasmus + program is inextricably linked. We often talk about the is Europe without its cultural heritage? What heritage help to forge. also at the root of our efforts to make knowledge triangle, but our big goal is to are the main obstacles that you expect to face We must also acknowledge the the European Education Area a reali- make it a square of knowledge, incorporating and what is your vision for European cultur- problems in culture itself. In the Com- ty by 2025. We want to remove all ob- the benefits to society. Achieving this goal re- al development? mission’s proposal for the next long- stacles for high-quality education and quires an ambitious political agreement on - I am very pleased that Culture is now ex- term budget, the Creative Europe facilitate the movement of students the next multiannual financial framework, plicitly mentioned in the name of my portfolio, program will have nearly 1.9 billion between EU education systems. especially with regard to programs that reflect along with research and education, which have euros of funding. However, support - Innovation and technological our priorities for the future: Horizon Europe, also been added to the name. Of course, wheth- for culture and cultural heritage must progress are essential for Europe. remain broader. In this context, the During your term, you will work TheMayor.EU 4 5 TheMayor.EU with other Commissioners on a range of the market and ensure that society as a whole Through this Horizon 2020 research able to reach disadvantaged people or science-related issues and how they impact benefits from them. These goals are closely re- and innovation program, the Bulgari- those who live in remote areas. I am citizens’ everyday lives. What results do you lated to my previous work as Commissioner for an international freight company Dis- convinced that young Europeans will expect from your cooperation with your fel- Digital Economy and Society. cordia received a loan of € 2.4 million contribute. This is their future. low commissioners? A good example is blockchain. In 2018, I for digitization, development of an in- In terms of research and innova- - Research and innovation are key to how launched the Observatory and the EU Block- novative business model and creation tion, we want to discuss how we can we live, how we work and how we protect the chain Forum. We have also proposed a Digi- of 160 new jobs in just a single year. best deal with people’s fundamental climate. That is why we are developing our re- tal Europe program with a budget of EUR 9.2 With Horizon Europe, for the pe- concerns. That is why we have added a search and innovation policies in close cooper- billion, in which the development of blockchain riod 2021-2027, we are even more whole new element to the future Hori- ation with other European Commission direc- applications will play an important role. On the ambitious. The European Innova- zon Europe program - the so-called. torates, and not only. We have started strategic other hand, the European Innovation Council tion Council pilot project is already missions. Through them, we want to planning for the new Horizon Europe research (ESI) will be the main tool in helping to fund supporting the funding of innovative respond to climate change, be more and innovation program, with the participa- innovative ideas and bring them to the market. start-ups and SMEs that have failed effective in fighting cancer, take care of tion of other institutions, EU countries, busi- But, of course, digitalisation is also heavily in the past to find funding for their soil and food, and the condition of the nesses, research organizations, universities and present in the education, culture and youth revolutionary and innovative ideas. oceans. My idea is to hold discussions citizens. We have created the programme in dimensions of my portfolio. I will continue to The Transmetrix-based company in in the Member States and hear peo- such a way that it ensures we address the issues work to ensure that more Europeans have ac- Sofia is one of the first 75 start-ups ple’s opinions. I would also like to see that are most important to society and has the cess to digital skills training, mainly through and SMEs to receive funding through Bulgarian citizens active, exchanging greatest impact. the Digital Education Action Plan. I was very the new ESI Accelerator tool. views and contributing to the pan-Eu- In terms of results, research and innovation committed to adopting it in January 2018 and What are your goals for the up- ropean debate. The future of Europe will definitely play a central role in delivering am now responsible for updating it to promote coming Conference on the Future of is actually everyone’s fu- results on the European Green Deal. More than digital skills for all. Europe? As Commissioner responsible ture. 35% of the proposed € 100 billion of funding This is very important for our societies to be for Europe’s youth, do you intend to under the new Horizon Europe program, as better prepared for the future - 43% of Europe- work on involving young people in the well as the new € 1 billion of funding under the ans currently lack basic digital skills. discussions? current Horizon 2020 program, will contribute We need to make better use of technology to Of course. The Conference on the to the climate and European Green Pact objec- make our education systems more innovative, Future of Europe plays an import- tives. relevant and prepared for the digital age. For ant role in our priority of giving Another important issue for me is a greater example, we need citizens to understand how new impetus to European democ- representation of women in all areas.