Today, the Lisbon Council and Nesta launch 'Reforming the European Commission: How Jean-Claude Juncker Can Deliver on Growth and Jobs', a hard-hitting new policy brief which calls for major reform in the European Commission’s institutional structures.

Based on a deep analysis of contemporary economic trends and new sources of growth, the authors, Ann Mettler and Stian Westlake, make a compelling case for profound change in the European Commission’s set-up. Among the key proposals:

  • Divide the European Commission portfolios into five intuitive and easy-to-grasp clusters, with rotating vice-presidencies
  • Create a joint 'internal market and digital agenda' portfolio
  • Establish a new entrepreneurship directorate to replace DG-Enterprise with a better regulation mandate
  • Design a more powerful and coherent innovation and research portfolio that would concentrate €80 billion of research spending in one commissioner’s hands
  • Avoid excessive policy activism and focus on big issues, where the European Union action is needed and warranted

The paper also looks at seven key trends in contemporary economic development, calling for a more evidence-based debate on the policies that deliver growth. It builds on 'Plan I(nnovation) for Europe: Delivering Innovation-Led, Digitally-Powered Growth', a joint Lisbon Council/Nesta research project published in 2013.

About Plan I(nnovation) for Europe:

Plan I(nnovation) for Europe is an eclectic and ongoing collaboration between Europe’s premier knowledge economy think tank and the UK’s innovation foundation, aimed at providing new insights on how to drive forward innovation and digital advancement across Europe.

About the Lisbon Council:

The Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness and Social Renewal asbl is a Brussels-based think tank and policy network. Established in 2003 in Belgium as a non-profit, non-partisan association, the group is dedicated to making a positive contribution through cutting-edge research and by engaging politicians and the public at large in a constructive exchange about the economic and social challenges of the 21st century. Its website is www.lisboncouncil.net

About Nesta:

Nesta is the UK’s innovation foundation. It helps people and organisations bring great ideas to life. It does this by providing investments and grants and mobilising research, networks and skills. It is an independent charity enabled by an endowment from the national lottery. Its website is www.nesta.org.uk.

For more information, contact:

Chrysoula Mitta

The Lisbon Council (Belgium)

GSM: +32 474 607 679

Email: [email protected]

Laura Scarrott

Nesta (United Kingdom)

Tel: +44 207 438 2697

Email: [email protected]