Setting strategic priorities
The EU’s overall political strategy is developed jointly by its institutions: the European Parliament, European Council, Council of the European Union, and European Commission.
In particular, the European Council provides the EU’s direction and goals for a 5-year period in the EU Strategic Agenda.
Every five years, at the beginning of a new Commission term, the President of the Commission also determines the political priorities for its upcoming term of office.
Every year, in the speech on the State of the Union, the President of the Commission presents and debates with the European Parliament the achievements of the Commission during the previous year and announces key initiatives planned for the year to come. These initiatives are also shared with the President of the European Parliament and with the rotating Council Presidency in a so-called 'letter of intent'.
Based on this and on the 5-year overarching priorities, a plan of action for the next calendar year is set out in the Commission work programme. It describes how the political priorities will be turned into concrete actions.
Through strategic foresight, the Commission also seeks to embed future insights into its policy-making, strategic planning, and preparedness.
Planning by departments
Commission departments produce strategic and management plans showing how they will contribute to the Commission's priorities and setting clear objectives and indicators for monitoring and reporting.
For all major legislative and policy defining initiatives, Commission departments prepare an impact assessment to analyse the likely economic, environmental and social effects of the proposals.
A list of planned Commission initiatives and a list of adopted Commission initiatives is updated regularly and sent to other EU institutions to help them organise their own activities.
Developing and implementing policies
EU policies are designed to bring benefits to citizens, businesses and other stakeholders in the EU. Better regulation tools ensure that each new policy is based on evidence and best available practice.
The Commission develops and implements EU policies by
- proposing laws to the European Parliament and Council of the European Union
- helping EU countries implement EU legislation
- managing the EU's budget and allocating funding
- ensuring that EU law is complied with together with the Court of Justice
- representing the EU outside Europe together with the EU's diplomatic service, the European External Action Service
The EU budget
The EU budget is the tool that allows the EU to deliver on its policy priorities and invest in large-scale projects that EU countries could not finance on their own. By pooling resources, the EU budget creates added value, strengthens Europe’s economy and geopolitical standing.
Reporting
The Commission plans and reports on its work in a yearly cycle known as the strategic planning and programming cycle. The Commission regularly publishes reports resulting from each cycle.
At the end of the budget year, all Commission departments produce an annual activity report on their performance in achieving their objectives. These reports are collated in a synthesis report communicated to the European Parliament and the Council. As of 2016, the synthesis report is included in the annual management and performance report for the EU budget.