How cities are using the green economy to solve Europe’s employment crisis

(EurActiv, 30 May 2016) Green Week opens today with a focus on greener cities: how can we make our cities more sustainable and liveable, asks Anna Lisa Boni.

Anna Lisa Boni is the secretary-general of EUROCITIES, the network of major European cities.

Europe is in the midst of an employment crisis. Many, and especially the most vulnerable people in our societies, are finding it extremely difficult to find jobs. The green sector, meanwhile, is among Europe’s most promising in terms of economic development. It has continued to grow despite the financial crisis and is expected to generate 20 million new jobs by 2020.

In February this year, mayors of major European cities met European Commissioners Marianne Thyssen and Elżbieta Bieńkowska to discuss the crucial role cities play in addressing the employment crisis. They called for better partnerships between the EU institutions, member states and cities to deliver policies that work for people on the ground. Reiterating the messages of the EUROCITIES Declaration on Work , they emphasised the potential of integrated service delivery and tools such as public procurement to build more inclusive labour markets.

The job creation potential of the green economy brings with it opportunities to reduce poverty. Yet the importance of connecting vulnerable groups to skills in growing economies, including the green sector, is often overlooked. Examples from our cities demonstrate that well-designed local authority programmes that support people in gaining green skills increase the chances of finding work even for those furthest away from the labour market.

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EurActiv, 30 May 2016: How cities are using the green economy to solve Europe’s employment crisis