Insight
Next Generation EU: The future of Europe
The huge Next Generation EU (NGEU) funding programme for the development of Europe after the COVID-19 pandemic is now under way and is being supplemented by local and private investments. The programme will distribute €750 billion of which Denmark is planned to receive €1,53 billion for its recovery and resilience plan. For this, Denmark had the highest percentage allocated to reforms to support environmental initiatives and the fight against climate change at 59%.
NGEU has the power to clearly define what the roadmap towards ‘The Europe of tommorow’ will look like by prompting national governments to take action with immediate effect. Its impact on society, the EU economy and Europe as a whole over the next few years should be substantial if it is utilised correctly and in a timely manner. New investments will enable Europe to transition to a more recilient and competitive economy through digitalisation and innovation, while also adressing the challenges of climate change, resulting in a more inclusive society.
This report looks at the nature of the aims of the NGEU programme and compares them with the expectations of citizens in the EU (and Europe more broadly), based on a survey of 4,500 respondents in seven EU countries and the UK, and it makes an assessment of the likely direction of change. The report also surveyed Danish citizens about factors they find necessary for recovery as well as their expectations for the future when it comes to digitalisation, innovation and sustainability.
Amongst the key findings for Denmark are:
- 93% of Danish respondents feel their country would be able to effectively harness and monitor the economic impact and wellbeing resulting from NGEU projects, compared to a 79% EU average.
- Denmark rated Education and Infrastructure for Sustainable mobility higher than the report average as priority areas when utilising NGEU funds.
- In Denmark 63% are satisfied with the level of digitalisation, compared to an average of 39% for the other EU countries surveyed.
- When it comes to the level of environmental sustainability, 30% of Danish respondents are satisfied, compared to an EU average of 22%.
- When asked about barriers to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, 32% of Danish respondents note the lack of tangible results as a barrier compared to a 24% EU average.
To learn more about the Next Generation EU funding programme and the results of the survey, please visit our Next Generation EU site, where you can also download the full report.
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