Call for Papers – closed since 11.07.2021
The European Green Deal : moving to action
Opportunities and challenges for the European citizens
08.06.2021
Rationale
Climate change is no longer a theoretical discussion but a reality that affects us also, not only the "future generations". For that purpose the European Green Deal is the basis for streamlining the EU's climate and environmental goals across its policies. Yet in order to become efficient it needs to reduce the gap between words and action and promote a transition process across all society, with profound economic, social and political impact. As Europe is striving to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050 this process is, according to the President of the European Commission von der Leyen, "the greatest responsibility and opportunity of our times."
This programme is one of the most complex one underwent at the European level as this 2050 objective needs to be accomplished while maintaining the competitiveness of European industry and providing a just transition for the regions, companies, Member States and workers affected. This process also includes aspects such as preserving Europe's natural environment and biodiversity, a 'farm to fork' strategy for sustainable food, and a new circular economy action plan.
The European Green Deal needs to bring together regional and local authorities, civil society, industry and schools to agree on commitments needed to adopt a more ecological behaviour. That would require a massive society-changing dialogue at the EU level that must be guided into an orderly way in order to avoid sterile debates or incongruent actions.
We cannot speak of a European Green Deal without a just transition. Like in the past technological revolutions, we need all the conditions for social stability to converge, otherwise we cannot maintain the stability of the Member States. Thus the social and political component is of outmost interest.
Also the European Green Deal must reach beyond its borders as it is both good for Europe (it represents a historic opportunity to revitalise Europe's economy and provide a common purpose) and for the world as it shows that the climate neutrality goal is a possible one from all the points of view.
Also in the context of the medical crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation process of the European Green Deal had to be adjusted in order to allow more focus on the measures needed to overcome the medical crisis. Yet this represents also a unique opportunity for a "green comeback" by pushing the reset button on European industry. However the fixed targets remain unchanged and new instruments such as the Just Transition Fund have been set up in order to manage this process.
Research axis (aspects that can be tackled by the authors)
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What are the opportunities and challenges associated with the European Green Deal? The main issues to be examined are those related to: tax issues; mining sector; new industrial strategy; renewable energy transition; energy efficiency; sustainable mobility; CAP and organic agriculture; new technologies; circular economy and green standards.
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Another important aspect given the 2050 objective is the impact that the European Green Deal has on younger generations. What is the impact on youth employability? What are the risks and opportunities for the younger generations?
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The EU by itself cannot fight the climate change alone. What are the options for the EU climate diplomacy in the future?
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The European Green Deal comes also with a high political cost. What are the trends it can set up in the political landscape? Is there a risk of a political backlash? How can we guarantee a just transition?
Research format and outcome
The aspects related to the European Green Deal should be addressed and developed by young researchers and policy analysts through a series of Policy Studies meant to define and support with arguments the opportunities and challenges related to the European Green Deal in the larger context of the debate generated by the Conference on the Future of Europe.
The Research papers would address several key issues related the question of the European Green Deal, whilst:
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anticipating possible European and regional trends,
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sticking to the concerns of the European and national societies
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bringing specific and concrete policy recommendation.
The main purpose is to have a pragmatic approach that identifies the opportunities and challenges related to the European Green Deal in order to come up with a series of policy recommendations and also prospective scenarios, with concrete action plans, that can provide viable solutions to the relevant stakeholders.
The contributions should be policy orientated and have approx. 8 - 10 pages (maximum) (without Annexes and Bibliography). Template and stylistic guidelines will be provided to the selected candidates.
In the frame of this fellowship, the selected candidates should:
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Draft a specific research paper on the proposed subject
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Be prepared to possible presentation of the research paper during conferences or similar events in 2021-2022.
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Be prepared to work on a possible publication
Funding
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1.500 € gross amount
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the selected candidate is responsible for paying all the due taxes
Eligibility criteria
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Bachelor degree;
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Age limit of 35 years old by the 11 July 2021;
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Proven excellence in writing skills in English.
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Citizen of an EU Member State or of a state from the European Economic Area (EEA) or of a candidate or a potential candidate country or from a country member of the Eastern Partnership.
Candidacy to be sent by 11 July 2021 midnight (Brussels time)
to johanna.touzel@iedonline.eu
with the subject "IED Call for papers 2021 Candidacy"
Please do not wait the last day or hours to send your candidature in order to avoid reception problems of your email.
Candidatures are only on an individual basis; no research teams or multiple candidatures are accepted.
The candidature dossier must contain:
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Europass Resume in English (maximum 3 pages)
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Research Proposal which must contain the title of the research proposal, the name of the candidate and a short description of the research proposal (maximum 4 000 signs spaces included) which presents the way in which the candidate wants to tackle the topic, the basic structure, research methodology and selected references.
Indicative Timetable
Launch of the Call for papers - 8 June 2021
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8 June - 11 July 2021, midnight (Brussels time) – Call for papers open
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12 July - 31 August 2021 (at the latest) – selection and contracting
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September - October - research activities
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17 October – Deadline for submitting the research paper
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Evaluation and feedback: until 15 November (if the case may arise)
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22 November - publication of the revised / final studies