It would undoubtedly be effective for all Greeks, at this present time. to reassess the real meaning and contribution of the European institutions in the public sphere. Forty years ago Greece became the tenth member of the bloc.
Since then everything has rapidly changed, and as a result, a large proportion of the population has created wealth, prosperity, opportunities and progress. The fact that a few opposition parties did not believe in the particular endeavor was not a deterrent for the majority of individuals to have benefited.
In times of crisis, a long discussion took place regarding the rise of unemployment, the decrease in salaries and the emergence of many different social problems. For instance, a remarkable percentage of young Greeks have had to look for jobs abroad. On the one hand, Europe, in the broadest sense, has been blamed – sometimes unfairly – for the mismanagement of serious crises. On the other hand, those who have primarily suffered were able to discover brand new opportunities, far beyond their national borders.
Additionally, Greece should deal with important challenges in relation to its European future. According to statistics, the respondents accept the targeted use of the recovery fund as a trigger for a sustainable perspective. As a result, on the occasion of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Greece’s presence in the European Union, the government faces a series of challenges for the rational use of provided funds. It also requires effective planning so that Greeks can overcome a growing sense of fatigue.
In the meantime, local Greek authorities have already announced certain sufficient measures, especially since the first installments will be paid out during the summer. If Greece avoids the unnecessary mistakes of the past, the state will inevitably be able to perform well for its citizens.
Nevertheless, direct communication between institutions and society could be the appropriate component for individuals to simply deepen the understanding of cooperation within Europe.
Populism, as well as anti-Europeanism, still remain fierce forces. Battling the odds, due to the Coronavirus pandemic’s social and economic consequences, Brussels should immediately address the majority’s concerns through a serious effort to achieve a resilient, sustainable and promising common future. This could happen only if the EU’s institutions ensure patience, firmness and absolute diligence.
Europe needs to cultivate and expand a new culture of collaboration, solidarity and coevolution by using open innovation tolls – e.g. Crowdsourcing – in order to attract the audience and to recreate a stable relationship of trust across the European Continent.
There is no longer any excuse for hollow proclamations, wrong turns and setbacks. The EU institutions are key figures and preside over the largest restart initiative in recent European history for the benefit of its citizens and future generations.