IIPP advises the European Commission and labour ministers from across EU on post-COVID recovery

As EU leaders negotiated a landmark €1.82 trillion budget and COVID-19 recovery package, ratified on Tuesday 21 July, IIPP has been engaged in high-level discussions with political representatives across Europe on how to ensure this funding is structured towards achieving a green, sustainable and inclusive recovery.

On Friday 24 July and Monday 27 July, IIPP Director Professor Mariana Mazzucato participated in roundtables organised by the office of the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen. In these, Professor Mazzucato spoke of the importance of long-term, patient finance, that is mission-oriented, and has appropriate characteristics for supporting systems change innovation. Ahead of President von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech due in September, Professor Mazzucato encouraged with a particular focus on a Green New Deal and the dynamic opportunities to transform key sectors in the economy, create jobs and spur innovation.

She drew from IIPP’s analysis and recommendations as outlined in IIPP’s special COVID-19 briefing on a Green Renewal, and in this blog outlining the case for Europe’s Green New Deal to be closely tied to industrial strategy. 

IIPP has already achieved significant impact in Europe. Through her role as Special Advisor to the EC Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation (2017-2019), Professor Mazzucato authored the high impact report on Mission-Oriented Research & Innovation in the European Union, turning “missions” into a crucial new instrument in the European Commission’s Horizon innovation programme. 

In addition to these EC meetings, earlier in July, Professor Mazzucato gave the opening keynote to a private meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs from across the European Union. She advised on the importance of government intervention and support to be directed towards reducing inequality.

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