What changed

OPINION

The Committee on CultureWomen's Rights and EducationGender Equality calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

Discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union

A. whereas Article 8 TFEU mandates the Union to aim to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality between men and women in all its activities; whereas equality is a fundamental right under the Treaty of Lisbon and a priority for the Union with the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) supporting Union institutions and Member States in achieving that aim;

1. Notes the efforts of the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union (‘the Centre’) to enable and promote multilingualism in the Union, for example as regards communications of the Union agencies and the development of terminology in specialised subject areas to improve the quality of translations;

B. whereas in 2023 EIGE’s work focused on two thematic priorities: the European Green Deal and gender-based violence; whereas crises exacerbate women’s vulnerability and exposure to violence, intensifying existing structural inequalities and aggravating all types of gender-based violence, including physical, sexual and psychological; whereas the effectiveness of EIGE’s actions on the European Green Deal, which needs to be revised and updated to set achievable targets in general to achieve equality and support women, especially in the Union, is questionable;

2. Welcomes the setting up of a working group on artificial intelligence (AI) in June 2023 and the decision to take the work of that group further in a new advisory group on AI;

1. Has serious concerns that EIGE’s mission was diverted from improving equality by its focus on the European Green Deal; points out that EIGE achieved 92,76 % of its work programme objectives;

3. Is pleased with the Centre’s multi-engine machine translation strategy, which allows for clients’ documents to be translated on site in combination with the intervention of human translators, which is essential for delivering high-quality translations; encourages the Centre to continue its efforts in that area;

2. Notes that the 8,5 % increase in EIGE’s staff costs can be attributed to the continued high inflation rate as well as a 2,7% indexation of salaries, and that the average number of staff remained at 45; notes that two contract agents were engaged and funded by the IPA contribution agreement with the Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations; acknowledges the persisting understaffing of EIGE and suggests that EIGE focus its work programme on violence against women and girls while deprioritizing actions related to the European Green Deal where necessary in light of current staff capacities;

4. Welcomes the fact that the Court of Auditors, in its annual report on EU agencies for the financial year 2023, confirms the legality and regularity of the revenue and payments underlying the Centre’s accounts;

3. Acknowledges that specific measures were taken in the area of financial management to ensure a proper implementation of interinstitutional framework contracts.

5. Observes with concern the Court’s findings with regard to various public procurement procedures, which led to irregular payments; encourages the Centre to continue its efforts in improving its monitoring of contracts and its procurement procedures; recommends the establishment of robust oversight mechanisms and regular training for staff to ensure compliance and mitigate risks;

6. Notes that the Centre has still three open observations that have not yet been remedied; encourages the Centre to comply with the ECA's recommendation for corrective action;

7. Notes with concern the underrepresentation of women in senior and middle management positions as well as on the management board; urges the Centre to implement a comprehensive gender balance strategy, including measurable targets and proactive recruitment initiatives, to ensure equitable representation at all levels;

8. Welcomes the fact that the Centre approved its 2023-2024 internal control and anti-fraud action plan, with a focus on raising awareness among staff with regard to identifying and registering exemptions and non-compliance events, on the prevention of fraud and on ethics;

9. Notes the fact that the Centre has contracted a specialist consultancy to design and implement an EMAS-compliant environment management system; strongly encourages the Centre to pursue its efforts to obtain an EMAS certificate.

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The rapporteur for the opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Date adopted

30.1.2025

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

20

0

2

Members present for the final vote

Nikolaos Anadiotis, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Alma Ezcurra Almansa, Sunčana Glavak, Catherine Griset, Hannes Heide, Giusi Princi, Emma Rafowicz, Sabrina Repp, Nela Riehl, Sandro Ruotolo, Malika Sorel, Marco Squarta, Eugen Tomac, Zala Tomašič, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski

Substitutes present for the final vote

Maria Guzenina, Erik Marquardt, Carolina Morace, Sabine Verheyen

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Elisabeth Grossmann

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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