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Letter sent to UK Prime Minister to support Euclid recommendations
22 January 2010
In response to Gordon Brown's EU Compact for Jobs and Growth in which he refers to a reduction in the bureaucracy for SME's in Europe, EN wrote to the UK Prime Minister endorsing his comments whilst highlighting that charities also require the same reduction in red tape to allow for growth and innovation.
To achieve this, we have asked Mr. Brown to support the recommendations of EN and the working group in the new text:
The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP
The Prime Minister and first Lord of the Treasury
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
22 January 2010
Dear Mr Gordon Brown,
I am writing with reference to the EU Compact for Jobs and Growth that you presented to Mr Herman Van Rompuy on 19th January and, specifically, to the proposal to reduce the red tape burden on SME's and therefore enabling them to lead Europe out of the recession.
As Secretary General of Euclid Network (EN), the European network of third sector leaders, I endorse your suggestions. I would also like to bring to your attention that the same reduction in red tape is also required for charities, especially with regard to European funding.
Whilst the EU is one of the biggest donors in the world to the third sector, its funding procedures are notoriously bureaucratic and complex. EN represents 300 leaders from 25 countries and has been campaigning to make EU funding work better for the sector.
The campaign started with an internal consultation amongst our members for case studies. This then fed in to a report produced by a Civil Society working group on the European Commission's Financial Regulation review, set up within the EC which EN chairs. With the EC undertaking a review of the Financial Regulation, the reports were then submitted to the EC's public consultation on the review.
The reports recommend how European financial regulation can be improved, based on the difficulties experienced by charities when applying for EU funding. If accepted, this will benefit UK charities as we approach a period of public spending cuts.
Please find enclosed the reports which are also available on our website http://www.euclidnetwork.eu/. We now need the government to support our recommendations to be included in the new text of the financial regulation when it is submitted to the European Council and European Parliament for approval.
I should be happy to answer any questions that you may have on this.
Stephen Bubb
Secretary General
Euclid Network