“EU Agencies play a key role in helping the efficient and effective implementation of EU policies,” said FRA Director Morten Kjaerum and current Chair of the network of EU Agencies. “Collectively we have a lot to offer. This is why we continue to jointly raise visibility about the vital work we do to support sustainable and inclusive growth and employment for Europe.”

EU agencies are an integral part of the EU institutional system. For many citizens, they are the closest visible presence of the EU in their lives. Yet, the knowledge about the EU Agencies and their importance in supporting both decision-making processes and the implementation of EU legislation is limited.

Therefore, to increase this knowledge, on 17 October EU agencies are taking part in a high-level panel debate, open to the public, to focus on how EU Agencies can support in bringing the EU closer to its citizens. This panel discussion between Austrian Members of the European Parliament and Heads of EU agencies shall address the huge variety of areas where EU agencies are centres of excellence.

During the Heads of Agencies and Heads of Administrations meetings, various issues of high importance to functioning of the agencies were discussed. These include implementation of the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies aiming to increase performance, as well as issues related to EU agencies resources, accountability and efficiency. In addition, time was set aside to explore three important horizontal issues in thematic parallel workshops covering human rights, communication and performance.

The EU Agencies network seeks to improve the coordination, information exchange and agreement of common positions on issues of shared interest among agencies. It is a vital platform that continuously contributes to increase efficiency of the agencies. There are currently 41 agencies, being a member of the network, working on many areas such as: business, innovation, working conditions for growth and jobs; health, safety and the environment; freedom, justice and security; education; industry and agriculture; and transport and satellite infrastructure.

The recently-updated EU Agencies brochure describes the work of the agencies while demonstrating the added value of each agency.