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MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION
P10_TA(2026)0158
on women’sWomen’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions
(2024/2124(INI))
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
PE775.387
European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2026 on women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions (2024/2124(INI))
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas of 28 September 2018,
– having regard to European Court of Auditors special report noNo 10/2021 of 26 May 2021 entitled ‘Gender mainstreaming in the EU budget: time to turn words into action’,
– having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,
9. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), in cooperation with social partners, to continue to analyse key barriers to women’s employment and entrepreneurship, including in outermost, island and remote regions, and to propose inspiring actions to overcome these obstacles to growth and prosperity; calls on the Commission and the Member States to support women-led enterprises, by providing legal and technical advice, through exchange of best practices, by helping women entrepreneurs overcome isolation in rural areas and strengthening their competitiveness and by increasing the share of women entrepreneurs and self-employed women in rural areas within the EU;
10. Calls on the Member States to build on EIGE’s analyses and findings on women’s entrepreneurship and self-employment across all Member States, ensuring good quality, comparable data collection and coherent metrics for access to finance, business survival rates, growth, sectoral representation and innovation, to publish comparative annual scorecards at EU and national level to monitor progress, identify lagging regions (including remote, island, outermost and rural areas) and promote transparency, to identify and scale up good practices and business success stories documented by EIGE – such as mentoring networks, inclusive investment programmes, women’s business hubs, and peer-to-peer networks – and disseminate them in rural contexts, to propose targeted financial instruments, guarantee schemes and capacity-building initiatives based on EIGE-identified barriers (e.g. network deficits, bias in funding decisions, lack of role models) to close the implementation gap, and to provide technical support and capacity-building to national and regional authorities to integrate gender mainstreaming into entrepreneurship programmes, ensuring alignment with EIGE methodology, best practices and the Gender Equality Index framework; calls on the Commission and the Member States to collect gender-disaggregated data in order to ensure the comprehensive overview of the socio-economic position of rural women and to take the gender dimension into account when designing, implementing and evaluating policies and programmes in the field of rural development; highlights the importance of impact assessments regarding the design of such proposals in helping to achieve gender mainstreaming goals in rural areas; stresses that gender budgeting enables the identification and correction of funding gaps that disadvantage women entrepreneurs, particularly in rural, island and outermost regions; urges the inclusion of gender-disaggregated data in EU programme evaluations in order to ensure that public investment effectively supports women’s entrepreneurship and contributes to closing the gender gap in access to finance and economic opportunities;
11. Supports the Commission’s strategy for the savings and investments union and the creation and expansion of inclusive financial instruments, including a labelled EU investment savings account to increase and facilitate access to finance for women-led EU companies, and notes that the strategy should include gender mainstreaming; to that end, welcomes the launch of ‘Finance Europe’, a label for EU long-term investment and savings products investing 70 % of their assets in European companies;
33. Calls on the Commission to ensure that in its response to crises menstrual hygiene kits are included as a standard element in all of its emergency responses;
34. Recalls that, in its special report noNo 10/2110/2021 on gender mainstreaming in the EU budget, the European Court of Auditors found that the Commission had not adequately implemented gender mainstreaming and had made insufficient use of sex-disaggregated data and indicators; highlights, in particular, that the European Court of Auditors regretted that the CAP direct payments system left ‘no scope for positive action regarding women’ and noted that there was ‘a clear need for a gender analysis of income support paid to farmers through direct payments, including income distribution and its relation with land ownership, eligible land, and recipients of payments’; notes that, as women’s farms are on average smaller than men’s, a surface-based direct payment system necessarily disadvantages women farmers; is deeply concerned that next to no improvements have been made in this regard, neither in the current CAP, nor in the draft published on 16 July 2025; calls on the Commission to implement gender-responsive budgeting across all of its programmes to ensure women and men benefit equally from public spending, including under the CAP;
35. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote awareness campaigns and capacity-building programmes on the social and labour rights of women, particularly in rural and remote areas, including rights to social protection, maternity, health and workplace safety, with a view to strengthening their full and informed participation in economic and social life;
70. Stresses that limited access to healthcare, including access to sexual and reproductive health rights and services, and mental health services, disproportionately affects women living in rural and island areas and outermost regions, exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining the full exercise of their fundamental rights; underlines that the scarcity of medical infrastructure, the lack of healthcare professionals and geographical and transport barriers pose additional obstacles to the timely provision of adequate care; calls on the Member States to ensure equal, affordable and timely access to and continuity of essential healthcare services in these territories, promoting innovative solutions such as mobile clinics, local units, telemedicine, strengthening primary healthcare clinics and, where relevant, cross-border care arrangements and targeted prevention programmes, to guarantee equity in access to healthcare and social and territorial cohesion; stresses, furthermore, the importance of ensuring the availability of adequate mental health support and services tailored to the specific needs of women in these regions, in order to address the heightened risk of isolation, stress and burnout;
71. Recognises that women with disabilities represent anare underutilisedunder-represented entrepreneurialin resourceentrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions; calls on the Member States to ensure that education, employment, rural business support services, training programmes and networking events are accessible to women with various types of disabilities; emphasises that digital entrepreneurship and remote work opportunities can be particularly valuable for women with mobility limitations in geographically isolated areas; encourages the sharing of best practices between regions on how to adapt entrepreneurship support for women with disabilities; notes that accessibility improvements in rural business environments benefit not only entrepreneurs with disabilities but also ageing entrepreneurs and the broader community;
72. Highlights the particular economic challenges of eastern border regions, including limited employment opportunities and wage inequalities; draws particular attention to the high level of unemployment among women and young people in these regions, which is significantly above the EU average; calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop targeted programmes supporting entrepreneurship, facilitating young female farmers’ access to land and finance, and ensuring the effective use of CAP and cohesion policy instruments to strengthen the resilience and development of these regions;
86. Supports the Commission’s strategy for the savings and investments union and the creation and expansion of inclusive financial instruments, including a labelled EU Investment Savings Account (ISA) to increase and facilitate access to finance for EU companies; calls for a tailored ISA specially designed for women living in deprived areas;
87. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to apply gender budgeting principles systematically across all EU and national funding programmes that support entrepreneurship and rural development, including under the CAP and cohesion policy;
87. Welcomes any examples which celebrate the dedication of women agriculturalists, and promote awareness of sustainable agricultural practices rooted in European traditions;
88. Welcomes any examples which celebrate the dedication of women agriculturalists, and promote awareness of sustainable agricultural practices rooted in European traditions;
88. Underlines that policies promoting women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions must adopt an intersectional approach, recognising that women’s experiences and access to opportunities are shaped by multiple and intersecting factors;
89. Underlines that policies promoting women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions must adopt an intersectional approach, recognising that women’s experiences and access to opportunities are shaped by multiple and intersecting factors;
89. Stresses that the different EU initiatives and EU funding schemes must be designed and implemented through an intersectional lens, addressing the multiple and overlapping barriers women face, and ensuring that no woman entrepreneur is excluded or left without adequate support;
90. Stresses that the different EU initiatives and EU funding schemes must be designed and implemented through an intersectional lens, addressing the multiple and overlapping barriers women face, and ensuring that no woman entrepreneur is excluded or left without adequate support;
90. Underlines the importance of mobilising all actors in the financial system to improve women’s access to funding and, for this purpose, encourages the establishment of a European charter for equal access to finance;
91. Underlines the importance of mobilising all actors in the financial system to improve women’s access to funding and, for this purpose, encourages the establishment of a European charter for equal access to finance;
91. Reiterates the need for the EU to adopt a comprehensive and integrated strategy for women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions, setting out clear objectives, measurable targets, and coordinated measures across the EU’s various funding instruments; requests that this strategy be allocated specific, stable and adequate financial resources, as well as dedicated funding mechanisms adapted to the particularities of these territories, in order to ensure equal access, promote innovation and digitalisation, and strengthen the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as to ensure adequate support from the Member States;
92. Reiterates the need for the EU to adopt a comprehensive and integrated strategy for women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions, setting out clear objectives, measurable targets, and coordinated measures across the EU’s various funding instruments; requests that this strategy be allocated specific, stable and adequate financial resources, as well as dedicated funding mechanisms adapted to the particularities of these territories, in order to ensure equal access, promote innovation and digitalisation, and strengthen the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as to ensure adequate support from the Member States;
92. Highlights the contribution made by LEADER and Community-led Local Development to gender equality and local empowerment; calls for these approaches to be maintained, reinforced and ring-fenced with simplified access for women-led initiatives;
93. Highlights the contribution made by LEADER and Community-led Local Development to gender equality and local empowerment; calls for these approaches to be maintained, reinforced and ring-fenced with simplified access for women-led initiatives;
93. Calls for the EU and the Member States to combat trafficking in women and forced prostitution with a comprehensive strategy that includes prevention, effective prosecution, cross-border cooperation and assistance and protection for victims; emphasises that women must be able to decide for themselves what kind of work they do;
94. Calls for the EU and the Member States to combat trafficking in women and forced prostitution with a comprehensive strategy that includes prevention, effective prosecution, cross-border cooperation and assistance and protection for victims; emphasises that women must be able to decide for themselves what kind of work they do;
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95.94. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Women in rural, island and outermost regions are key drivers of community well-being, economic resilience and social cohesion. Yet across the EU, including in countries such as Poland, they continue to face social, financial or legal barriers that limit their full economic participation. This report aims to shed light on those challenges while putting forward practical and targeted recommendations to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship, social inclusion and long-term economic independence in rural territories.
In many Member States, rural women are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to finance, affordable childcare, adequate transport links, digital infrastructure, and gender-sensitive support systems. While the gender pay gap and traditional care burdens persist in urban contexts, they are often magnified in rural areas. In Poland, for instance, women in peripheral and low-density municipalities often combine unpaid care work with informal labour or family farming, without recognition or social security protection. Nevertheless, grassroots initiatives such as local housewives’ associations or rural cooperatives have proven that with the right institutional support, women can spearhead successful local economies, preserve cultural heritage, and build inclusive innovation ecosystems.
This report stresses the need to shift from isolated interventions to a more comprehensive and gender-responsive approach. It calls for mainstreaming gender equality across rural development, cohesion, digital and agricultural policies. The document also emphasises the importance of collecting gender-disaggregated data, raising awareness of women’s contributions to local economies, and supporting their participation in STEM and digital transitions. Such measures are essential for ensuring that women are not left behind in the transformation of rural areas.
Particular attention is paid to the availability of finance. Women entrepreneurs in rural areas, especially first-time entrepreneurs or those working in care, tourism, or traditional craft sectors, still face disproportionate difficulties accessing credit and business support. In this context, the report welcomes the EU Investment Savings Account (ISA) initiative and calls for a dedicated version tailored to rural women. Furthermore, it urges the Commission and Member States to ensure that the post-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) includes earmarked funding for women’s entrepreneurship under CAP, Horizon Europe and Digital Europe.
The report also reflects on the nature of rural labour in farming in relation to gender equality. Despite the central role women play in agricultural production and farm management, they are often invisible in official statistics and policy design. Access to land, fair remuneration, succession rights and access to CAP funds remain a challenge. As shown in research presented to the FEMM Committee, patterns such as “son as heir” and the undervaluation of women’s contributions still dominate in many Member States, including Poland.
Beyond economics, the report addresses the link between access to services, violence and exclusion. Gender-based violence is a widespread phenomenon that often goes unreported in rural areas due to stigma, lack of services and strong traditional gender roles. The report underlines the urgent need for accessible, confidential, and well-funded support systems, as well as for community-based awareness and prevention measures.
Importantly, this initiative does not only respond to existing inequalities; it also offers a vision. A vision of inclusive rural development where women are not an afterthought but central actors. Where traditional crafts, agriculture, circular economies and digital innovation are not mutually exclusive but intertwined. Where women’s work is visible, valued and supported.
The report is anchored in existing EU legislation and strategies, including the Pay Transparency Directive, the Work-Life Balance Directive, or the Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025. It is aligned with the objectives of the Common Provisions Regulation and the principles of gender mainstreaming and territorial cohesion.
In drafting this report, contributions were considered from academic experts, civil society and Members of the European Parliament. The rapporteur wishes to thank all those who shared their experiences, analysis and practical examples. Their input has helped shape a policy blueprint that is both ambitious and rooted in reality.
Women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas is not a niche issue. It is a question of justice, cohesion and sustainable development. The time to act is now.
ANNEX: DECLARATIONS OF INPUT
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that she included in her report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that she received, in the preparation of the draft report, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that she has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.
1.12.2025
OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
for the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
on women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions
(2024/2124(INI))
Rapporteur for opinion: Anna Strolenberg
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development submits the following to the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Citation -1 (new)
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Citation -1 a (new)
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Recital F d (new)
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Recital F e (new)
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Recital F f (new)
Amendment 28
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Recital F g (new)
Amendment 29
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Recital F h (new)
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Amendment 34
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Amendment 35
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 39
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Amendment 40
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Paragraph 2 c (new)
Amendment 41
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Paragraph 2 d (new)
Amendment 42
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Paragraph 3
Amendment 43
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Paragraph 4
Amendment 44
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Paragraph 5
Amendment 45
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Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 46
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Paragraph 7
Amendment 47
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Paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 48
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Paragraph 7 b (new)
Amendment 49
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Amendment 50
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Amendment 51
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 e (new)
Amendment 52
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Paragraph 7 f (new)
Amendment 53
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Amendment 54
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 55
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Amendment 56
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Amendment 57
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Amendment 58
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Amendment 59
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Amendment 60
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Paragraph 11
Amendment 61
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Paragraph 11 a (new)
Amendment 62
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Paragraph 12
Amendment 63
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Paragraph 12 a (new)
Amendment 64
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Paragraph 12 b (new)
Amendment 65
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Paragraph 12 c (new)
Amendment 66
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Paragraph 14 a (new)
Amendment 67
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Amendment 68
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Amendment 69
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new) (after subheading ‘Farming’)
Amendment 70
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Amendment 71
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Amendment 72
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Amendment 73
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Amendment 74
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Paragraph 15 d (new)
Amendment 75
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Paragraph 15 e (new)
Amendment 76
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Paragraph 15 f (new)
Amendment 77
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Paragraph 15 g (new)
Amendment 78
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Paragraph 15 h (new)
Amendment 79
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Paragraph 16
Amendment 80
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Paragraph 16 a (new)
Amendment 81
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Paragraph 17
Amendment 82
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Paragraph 17 a (new)
Amendment 83
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Paragraph 17 b (new)
Amendment 84
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Paragraph 17 c (new)
Amendment 85
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Paragraph 17 d (new)
Amendment 86
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Paragraph 17 e (new)
Amendment 87
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Paragraph 18
Amendment 88
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Paragraph 18 a (new)
Amendment 89
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Paragraph 18 b (new)
Amendment 90
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Paragraph 18 c (new)
Amendment 91
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Paragraph 19
Amendment 92
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Paragraph 19
Amendment 93
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Paragraph 19
Amendment 94
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Paragraph 19
Amendment 95
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Paragraph 19 a (new)
Amendment 96
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Amendment 97
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Paragraph 20
Amendment 98
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Paragraph 20 a (new)
Amendment 99
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Paragraph 20 b (new)
Amendment 100
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Amendment 101
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Paragraph 20 d (new)
Amendment 102
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Paragraph 20 e (new)
Amendment 103
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Paragraph 21
Amendment 104
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Paragraph 21
Amendment 105
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Amendment 106
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Amendment 107
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Paragraph 21 c (new)
Amendment 108
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Paragraph 21 d (new)
Amendment 109
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Amendment 110
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Amendment 111
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Amendment 112
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
Amendment 113
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 d (new)
Amendment 114
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 e (new)
Amendment 115
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 f (new)
Amendment 116
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 g (new)
Amendment 117
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Amendment 118
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Amendment 119
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Amendment 120
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT
DECLARATION OF INPUT FROM ANNA STROLENBERG
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that she included in her report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that she received, in the preparation of the draft report from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that she has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE