Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Europeans appreciate that the EU provides expertise and helps member states design and implement reforms across a wide range of policy areas. This is one of the main conclusions of the Eurobarometer survey conducted in April 2023, which confirms the importance and necessity of the support provided by the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) of the European Commission and.

Through TSI, the Commission provides technical support for reforms in the EU, at the request of national authorities. TSI can also assist Member States to design, amend, implement and review transformative reforms included in their Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs).

How can the European Union help member states?

The survey asked Europeans what areas member states could benefit most from EU support for the design and implementation of reforms. This is what they answered:

42% of Europeans believe that the EU can promote the exchange of good practices between member states;
42% stress the importance of EU support to member states in managing crises, such as epidemics, natural disasters or conflicts.
34% believe that the EU can provide knowledge and experience to member states in designing and implementing reforms.
34% said the EU could provide financial support for member states' reforms;
31% believe that the European Union can help improve skills and competencies in the public administration of member states.
Europeans want a more efficient public administration

According to the survey, public administrations in member states could be more effective and efficient. For example, more than 45% of citizens believe that public administration in their country is complex, cumbersome, and slow.

To increase confidence in public administration in their country, Europeans believe it should be less bureaucratic (52%) and more transparent (44%) about decisions and the use of public funds. About a third of respondents believe that more communication and simplified interaction with citizens, and better-skilled civil servants, would help improve confidence in public administration.

Almost half of Europeans believe that public administration should be closer to people using various direct communication channels, including personal interactions, as well as providing clearer information about procedures and services. Europeans also requested more digital services (31%) and more user-friendly e-government services (35%).

Reforms are urgently needed in the areas of health and education

Europeans believe that reforms in public health (56%) and education (50%) are urgently needed. In 11 member states, more than 60% of citizens are urging public health reforms.

The survey confirms that TSI provides valuable assistance

The results of this European survey confirm the importance of the RSI. In fact, TSI responds to member states' requests for support in their identified reform needs. Through TSI, the EU provides expertise and technical support, enables and enhances the exchange of information between countries, and develops capacities in public administrations: all actions that citizens consider a role for the EU.

To date, more than 400 TSI projects – including several new projects for 2023 – have contributed to the preparation or implementation of Member States' regional response plans, including reforms to enhance capacity building of public administrations.

The results of this survey will inform the implementation of TSI reform projects. For example, the Public Administration Cooperation Exchange Initiative (PACE) will already in 2023 support more than 300 civil servants from 18 Member States to gain knowledge of good practices in other administrations, to transfer skills and build expertise. More exchange opportunities will be introduced in 2024.

The Flash Eurobarometer (526) was conducted between 3 April and 18 April 2023 through telephone interviews. 25,631 respondents from the 27 member states of the European Union were interviewed. When responding to the questions, the respondents were asked to select up to three responses from a list.

On 21 March 2023, the Commission approved a new round of 151 projects under the TSI, to support all Member States in preparing, designing and implementing up to 326 cutting-edge reforms in 2023.

The supported projects respond to the reform needs expressed by the Member States and are in line with EU priorities for modern and efficient public administrations, sustainable growth strategies and resilient economies. Several reform projects are also linked to the REPowerEU Plan and implemented through the REPowerEU chapter of the RRP.

It is part of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and builds on the success of its predecessor, the Structural Reform Support Program (SRSP). Since 2017, more than 1,500 technical support projects have been implemented in all Member States with the support of TSI and SRSP.