Grüne on Europe

The Greens want EU funding to go into new projects and innovation rather than plugging existing budget gaps. Funded projects should demonstrably contribute to climate protection, biodiversity and digitalization.

The EU gives money to regions that are changing. The Greens want to use this money for new projects. It should not fill gaps in the budget. The projects should help the climate, nature and digitalization.

According to the platform, the EU uses its funds to help the economy meet climate targets and to support regions undergoing structural change. In NRW this covers not only the coal regions but all regions with CO2-intensive industry. The money is to add value on top of national programs and spark innovation. When funds are distributed, care should be taken that projects actually serve the goals on climate, species protection and digitalization.

The Greens name a European federal state in the form of a federal republic as their goal and want to actively support the Conference on the Future of Europe to that end. Their reasoning is that the social and ecological consequences of climate change can only be handled internationally.

The Greens want Europe to grow closer together. In the end, there should be a European republic. In it, the countries work together like in one federal state. The Greens say: no country can solve big problems like climate change alone. NRW should also stand up for human rights in the EU.

According to the platform, North Rhine-Westphalia benefits from European integration as an economic region in the middle of Europe. From NRW, the party wants to stand up for human rights and the rule of law within the EU. Further member state exits after Brexit are to be prevented. The party wants to push back against antidemocratic attacks.

The Greens want to found a state Europe foundation that promotes European values and democracy in education inside and outside schools. It is meant to coordinate the many scattered offerings in NRW and strengthen exchange between municipalities and regions across Europe.

The Greens want to found a Europe foundation. The foundation should teach people about Europe and democracy. This should happen in schools and outside of schools. The foundation should connect cities across Europe. This way, people can experience the EU where they live.

The foundation is to serve as a coordination and contact point for the decentralized Europe-related offerings in the state. Through Europe-wide exchange between municipalities and regions, it is meant to renew European cohesion and make the EU's achievements tangible for citizens. The party wants to implement the EU programs Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe in a way that reaches as many people as possible.