Work Programme 2021 CORPORATE PRIORITIES Work for an SGI friendly recovery post COVID-19: Building up on the contacts established with the ’s RECOVER, SGI Europe will continue to plead for making the post-COVID-19 recovery SGI-centred. Actions will focus on the following priorities: • Support our members in lobbying their national government for SGI-friendly National Recovery and Resilience Plans • Lobby for a strong place for SGIs in the implementation of the MFF • Relaunch the work for the setting up of an EP interest group on SGIs • Build and promote a new paradigm for SGIs, based on the “day after the recovery”

Put SGIs at the centre of sustainable finance: With its seat in the Platform on sustainable finance, SGI Europe will reinforce its involvement in the debates on the promotion of sustainable finances in the EU. As the issue will remain at the top of the agenda with the implementation of the NGEU and the MFF, targeted actions will aim at: • Lobbying for an SGIs friendly completion of taxonomy regulations • Modernising our CSR Label with a reinforced focus on the financing of the sustainable transition

Maximise the potential of SGI Europe seats in transversal platforms and organisations: In 2020, in the shaping of the new EU institutional landscape following the EU elections, SGI Europe ensured its presence in several transversal expert groups and platforms. On top of our representatives in technical expert groups, SGI Europe will particularly focus on: • Using the seat in the Expert group on Sustainable Finance to achieve our priorities on taxonomy and promoting the CSR Label • Using the seat in the Fit-for-Future Platform to increase the place of SGI in the “Foresight approach” developed by the European Commission, in line with the new paradigm for SGIs • Using the Vice-Presidency in European Movement International to reinforce the role and the place of SGI Europe within the Conference on the Future of Europe

Overview the launch and operation of ad hoc working groups on: • Digital policies • Equality • Industrial strategy

Increase CEEP representativity (membership recruitment): • Work with members on the Eurofound representativity study of the cross-sectoral Social Partners launched in 2020, and continuing throughout 2021 • Reinforce the presence of SGI Europe in the Employers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee

Reinforce representation within existing National sections (membership retention): • Enlarge the scope of our membership, including big and small organisations, active at both national, regional and local levels, and representing hard and soft infrastructures

MEETINGS AND IMPORTANT DATES Statutory meetings: • 17 June 2021 (TBC) • 15 December 2021 (TBC)

Version of 09/12/2020

SGI Europe 2021 Work Programme | 2 PUBLIC SERVICES BOARD SOCIAL AFFAIRS BOARD SUSTAINABILITY BOARD Services of general interest EU Social Partners’ Work Programme 2019-21 finalisation European Green Deal The observation and protection of SGIs & LPSEs will be an and integrated projects: • The Sustainability Board will continue its intense work for essential part. On the basis of the Rethinking the Acquis o Skills, follow-up of the project on skills and a decarbonised and sustainable economy, society and Communautaire paper and the updated Acquis+ Glossary, the innovation also covering the question of access to environment as reflected in CEEP’s Opinion on the EU PSB will further discuss and promote the “Acquis+ package”. The training in the EU. Green Deal and actively contribute to the wide -ranging PSB will organize a cross-Board roundtable on “SGIs facing Covid- o Circular economy, Follow-up of the project topics within this ambitious roadmap. Building on these 19” on the impact of the crisis, and the needs and lessons learnt. covering the transformations our member three dimensions, the Board believes in a true success for The PSB will also monitor the upcoming initiatives regarding trade enterprises face both in terms of production a better way of life that can be measured beyond the policy (in particular the “Schengen package”). processes and job profiles. GDP growth statistics and look ahead of what makes o Capacity-building for a stronger social dialogue, Europe modern and resilient. SMEs and LPSEs continuation of the cycle of capacity building • The main work for the Board will be to make the The PSB will promote the new Opinion on the SME definition projects covering eastern and central Member transition from Vision to Action a reality, providing real “Rethinking the SME definition” and maintain ongoing States and candidate countries. examples from across its public services and add valuable communication with stakeholders on the topic. This will also o Start of the discussions with BusinessEurope, insights to reach for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. require a specific action to push the reform of the “SME strategy SMEunited and ETUC on the next cycle of EU Social The Board will here continue work on the EU Climate Law for a sustainable and digital Europe” of March 2020. In order to Partners activities for the future 2021-2023 Work integration and add valuable insights from the public communicate the new Opinion on the SME definition at European programme services and SGIs to the European Commission’s ‘Fit for level, the PSB will address in particular the European Commission, 55 Package’. the and the upcoming EU presidencies. Legislative agenda of the European Commission • With the devastating effects shown during the COVID-19 o Follow-up on the new Commission’s initiative in the pandemic, public services and SGIs have relentlessly Cohesion policy fields of social affairs performed and kept the critical infrastructure running The PSB will look at how cohesion policy can: o Follow-up and lobby on the future action plan to ensuring a stable energy supply, clean water, clean and o power the recovery and the twin transitions, implement the EU Pillar of Social rights safe streets, reliable public transport for essential front- o address widening regional disparities both before and after o Lobby to Council and Parliament regarding the line workers as well as a stable communication and high Covid-19, directive proposal for fair minimum wages internet quality for the at home-office front. At the same o help tackle emerging social and economic issues. o Lobby to Council and Parliament regarding the time, the effects of climate change have not decreased, To increase its knowledge and thereby improve its policy future EU legislative initiative on Pay transparency nor have they improved. Reasons for less pollutions are responses, the Commission will put forward an assessment of the (Not yet published by the EC) only credited to the low to zero economic activity during situation in regions, and develop a long-term vision for rural areas o Follow-up of EU Gender Equality Strategy, lockdown and not due to active action. The Board is to harness the potential of regions to the maximum. o Response to the Social Partners consultation on prepared to rethink our structures and is ready to take improving the labour conditions of platform this momentum to deeper enforce climate actions there Competition policy workers (consultations of social partners foreseen where it is desperately needed. The Commission plans a series of major changes and reviews of early 2021) • For this reason, the Board will actively contribute and competition initiatives in 2021 that will focus on the digital single o Follow-up of any new relevant initiative on support the European Commission on its Strategic market. REFIT initiatives include a revision of the Communication collective bargaining under the supervision of Foresight Report that looks at the recovery of the Covid on Important Projects of Common European Interest and an Commissioner Schmit crisis and takes the next step towards more resilience.

SGI Europe 2021 Work Programme | 3 evaluation of the Commission Notice on market definition in EU Sustainable Transition and Finances competition law. Meetings • Following up on the intense work to bring public services In the field of digitalisation and data policy, the PSB will continue and SGIs at the front of the conversation on identifying Social Affairs Board (tbc): its cooperation with the cross-board working group on the Digital sustainable activities, CEEP has been selected as • 2 February 2021 Services Act, to become ad hoc working group on Digital Policies, permanent observer of the Sustainable Finance Platform • 15 June 2021 should the General Assembly approves the proposal. (The Platform) developing the six remaining delegated • 27 September 2021 acts of the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Within the Technical

State aid Working Group (TWG) CEEP Vice-President Filippo Social Dialogue Committee (tbc): In the field of state aid, many initiatives are being launched under Brandolini will jointly work with other EU Stakeholders on • 3 February 2021 REFIT. These will be reviewed, in particular with regard to the the technical definitions of the taxonomy that will in the • 16 June 2021 digital single market and the Green Deal. future define what a sustainable business is and implies • 28 September 2021 These are the REFIT initiatives regarding State aid: the important role of public services and SGIs.

o Revision of Regional Aid Guidelines • Additionally, the Board will be responding, with the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy (tbc) o Revision of the Energy and Environmental Aid Guideline support of the Macroeconomic Task Force, to the o Revision of the Framework for State aid research, • 29 September 2021 – consultation hearing ahead upcoming EU Green Bond consultations that are planned development and innovation ASGS for Q2 2021. o Revision of the State Aid General Block Exemption (GBER) • Additionally, the Board will follow up and monitor the o Evaluation of State aid rules for broadband infrastructure final stages of the Just Transition Fund allowing our deployment members to understand the new and important financial o Evaluation of State aid rules for health and social services tools that can facilitate the tough transition from a fossil of general economic interest fuel based economy to a more decarbonised technology solutions. Meetings • In this context, the Board will continue to strengthen the • April 2021 (TBD) link between SGIs and modern sustainable solutions for • November 2021 (TBD) all European citizens and will continue to base its discussions on the three main pillars: o Investment o Inclusion o Resilience

Meetings • 18 February 2021 • 23 September 2021 PUBLIC SERVICES BOARD SOCIAL AFFAIRS BOARD SUSTAINABILITY BOARD

SGI Europe 2021 Work Programme | 4 PUBLIC SERVICES BOARD SOCIAL AFFAIRS BOARD SUSTAINABILITY BOARD SGI & Stat TF Internal Market TF Macro-economic TF Social Protection TF Communications TF Energy TF Environment TF Transport TF Water TF Permanent monitoring of tradeo Close monitoring of and lead Regular input to the European Follow-up and preparation of Active Input: Active Input: Active Input: Active Input: Active Input: policy and its impact on public on reaction on possible review Semester process: Annual input for the future European o Adding Renovation Circular Sustainable and Zero Pollution services and SGIs of Europe’s Competition rules sustainable growth strategy, Commission’s Green Paper on contribution to Wave and its Economy Smart Mobility Action Plan in general and any upcoming Country reports and Country Action Plan. ageing, launching a debate on the work of upcoming Strategy Support a review of the EU State Aid specific recommendations This includes: regulatory framework in long-term impacts, notably on the cross- revisions and Revision of sufficient particular Monitoring of the care and pensions, and on how board Working proposals Packaging & Year of Rail water action implementation of Next to foster active ageing and Group on Waste 2021 support plan for Permanent monitoring of VAT generation EU and the close monitoring of European Digital Policies, Renewable Packaging the inclusion of chemicals in policy and input to the work of Recovery and Resilience facility Parliament activity with regard which will Energy Directive, urban areas water supply the Communications TF on including lobby and contact to Pension developments in the include: Directive (RES), Revision of the and cities and creating a Digital Taxation with EU institutions to Batteries EU o - Platform transportations strong link to promote members priorities Directive, the I for investments regulation Energy development the Urban n Monitoring of the (Digital Efficiency of the End of Revision on Water Waste p Macroeconomic dialogue at implementation of the High Services Act Directive (EED), waste TEN-E Treatment technical and political level Level Group of experts on and the Digital regulation at Directive with Council and Commission supplementary pensions’ Markets Act) Energy EU level Following up: (DG ECOFIN) report and in particular regulatory Performance in Revision of Packaging and promotion of the role of Social framework for Buildings Revision of the Sludge Review of the growth and Waste stability pact rules and Partners in IORPS large digital Directive Packaging Emission Directive discussions on the general platforms (EPBD), Directive Trading System macroeconomic situation in Support to SAB on the Social o - Digital (ETS) Revision of the the aftermath of COVID-crisis Partners consultation for taxation Revision of the Zero Pollution UWWTD improving the labor conditions o Support fair Third Energy Action Plan Alternative of Platform workers when it taxation of the Package on Gas Fuels Directive Following up: comes to access to social Revision on protection digital Eco-Design Water economy Reply to Directive Framework o - Data upcoming Monitoring: Directive and Governance consultation Following up: Discussions on its daughter Act and impact Joint work with Sustainable Directives o - Cybersecurity assessments the Water TF Transport as a on the revision and on: safe and Climate on UWWTD technological - Energy and Sludge affordable- Adaptation sovereignty to Performance strategy for support a Certificates Methane sustainable and 8th harmonized (EPC) which Strategy on smart mobility Environmental cybersecurity includes a waste methane Action framework mandatory measures Following up Programme,

and contribute minimum the following up on European to the work on energy transposition the ‘No Harm’ Battery phase on Open European performance Propsals Strategy Data and PSI- certification standard for all Directive schemes buildings 8th creating a level Biodiversity (cloud, IoT, 5G) Environmental playing field for Strategy in Action o public and relation to Programme private entities following up on Future of Soil

SGI Europe 2021 Work Programme | 5 o - Promote - Energy Audits the ‘No Harm’ Strategy for a Data and in the EED proposal healthy artificial revision ecosystem Guidelines for intelligence separate and create Follow-up: collection of Methane level playing Revision on Municipal Strategy in field with over- Ten-E Waste relation to the the-top, often development extra- Alternative with Sludge European Fuels Directive Monitoring: Directive Waste players, on the Shipment processing of Revision of the Monitoring: electronic Emission Water Reuse communicatio Trading System ns and (ETS) Drinking Water metadata (e- Directive privacy) Offshore o Renewable Concession o - Contribute to Energy Plan Directive on a targeted and water issues risk-based Reducing legal Methane framework for Emission in the AI Energy Sector o to support (including the intellectual proposal of the property and Methane fair Strategy to remuneration develop a o Methane o reporting o Follow-up: system) Investment in networks Energy o - Promote a Taxation favorable Directive framework for European Smart and cloud projects Sustainable o - Contribute to Mobility the new Strategy European action plan on Monitoring: 5G and 6G. Carbon Border o - Ensure that Adjustment content/media Mechanism industry in (CBAM)

SGI Europe 2021 Work Programme | 6 Europe can thrive and Just Transition gives safe Fund access to reliable news and information o - Promote democracy to support the media and audiovisual sector in upcoming EU Action Plans o o Monitoring: o Promote a more inclusive society through Digitalisation o - Digital training/ skills, information and media literacy o - Digital social inclusion In coordination with the work of the Social Affairs Board Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings The SGIs Task Force will meet in The Internal Market Task Force TBD TBD March TBD March 16 March 2 March 15 March 3 the framework of the PSB, will meet in the framework of May/June TBD June 29 June 3 June 21 TBC June 2 unless the need for additional the PSB, unless the need for October/Nove October 28 October 12 November 11 October 13 ad hoc meetings arise in the additional ad hoc meetings mber TBD course of the year. arise in the course of the year. SGI & Stat TF Internal Market TF Macro-economic TF Social Protection TF Communications TF Energy TF Environment TF Transport TF Water TF