Concrete, steel, and asphalt are not enough \u2013 we must build in people.
\nWith this message, I participated in a debate in Brussels organized by the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions, with the participation of Roxana M\u00eenzatu, Vice-President of the European Commission, on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the \u201cUnion of Skills\u201d initiative.<\/p>\n
The future must be built on people, not on concrete<\/strong><\/p>\n People turn first to their local communities when they look for a job, a training opportunity, or a chance to learn. It is not enough for schools to teach. Knowledge must reach workplaces, villages, and young families. EPP proposals for the next EU financial cycle<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the European People\u2019s Party (EPP), the next EU budgetary period (MFF 2028\u20132034) must ensure a predictable, simple, and fair support system that also benefits smaller regions: These proposals are not theoretical \u2013 they concern people\u2019s everyday lives: Europe begins where we live<\/strong><\/p>\n Following the intervention, I held a live discussion with Roxana M\u00eenzatu, Vice-President of the European Commission. That is why I am working in Brussels as well. I believe that\u00a0the right of young people to stay in their homeland<\/strong>\u00a0should not be a slogan, but a reality.
\nThat is why, in Harghita County and across Szeklerland, we are working to ensure that young people, employees, and entrepreneurs have real opportunities \u2013 linguistically, professionally, and technologically.<\/p>\n
\nToo often, county councils must compensate for national shortcomings: we support vocational training, adult education, and language and digital courses to make local people more competitive on the labor market.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 a\u00a0dedicated rural window<\/strong>\u00a0under the ESF+ program to fund mobile education and local training schemes,
\n\u2022\u00a0joint calls for proposals<\/strong>\u00a0between ESF+, ERDF, Erasmus+, and Digital Europe programs,
\n\u2022\u00a0results-based funding<\/strong>\u00a0for employment and training achievements in rural communities,
\n\u2022 and\u00a0data-driven, real-time skills monitoring<\/strong>, so that mayors can clearly see where gaps exist and what is needed.<\/p>\n
\na young farmer who can train locally;
\na caregiver who finds stable employment;
\nor a small business that can expand because its workers have the right language and digital skills.<\/p>\n
\nIt became clear that EU programs are available in all countries, but it depends on local and regional levels whether they truly reach people.<\/p>\n
\nIn recent years, significant EU funds have reached Romania, yet many training and start-up initiatives have disappeared because there was no real connection between central policies and local needs.<\/p>\n
\nThe future is not held together by concrete, but by will, knowledge, and community.<\/p>\n