1. European Ombudsman Seeing the future more clearly: adapting to thrive
Use of own-initiative powers 

2. Strategy – towards 2019

3. How best to serve 500 million European citizens?

4. New focus on strategic investigations
New mechanism for own-initiative inquiries
Identify key problems in EU administration
Strategic investigations of systemic importance
Use full scope of EO’s powers

5. Strategic investigations
Use limited resources for maximum impact in the interest of the public
Focus on strategic own-initiative investigations (e.g. lobbying transparency)
Identify key problems in EU administration
Use full scope of EO’s powers (OIIs, access to all EU documents)
Only do what others cannot do

6. TTIP transparency TTIP transparency
Concerns about key documents not being disclosed, alleged granting of privileged access
July ‘14: EO opened investigations against Council and Commission
Oct. ‘14: Council published negotiating directives
Nov. ’14: Commission announced broader access to TTIP documents
Jan. ‘15: EO welcomes these steps, but makes 10 recommendations on how to further increase TTIP transparency

7. TTIP transparency Oct: Council publishes the EU negotiating directives
2014: EO calls on COM and Council to publish more TTIP documents and details of meetings with stakeholders
6000 replies to public consultation
Oct: Council publishes the EU negotiating directives
COM publishes more position papers, factsheets, legal texts
Jan’15: concrete proposals to make TTIP negotiations more transparent (no US veto, consolidated texts, meetings with lobbyists, agendas, minutes)
Final EO analysis published this week

8. EU cohesion policy investigation
Cohesion funds: 350 billion EUR for
Commission has to act on violation of fundamental rights, even if it does not directly manage funds
Feedback from ombudsmen, civil society organisations
EO finalised guidelines to Commission this week

9. Main concerns
Disability and child protection: funds are being used to build large institutions instead of community-based facilities
Roma population: inappropriate programmes are being implemented
Civil society organisations complain about not being invited as partners for the national agreements
How can civil society report problems to the Commission, what is the follow-up?
Are national redress mechanisms efficient and effective?

10. Possible guidelines to the Commission
Raise awareness in the Member States (training, technical support, etc.)
Focus efforts on preventive measures, to ensure that Member States comply with the Charter from the outset
Assess the success of EU financed programmes according to how they contribute to promoting respect for fundamental rights
Verify that national redress mechanisms are efficient
Use sanctions when Member States do not fulfil their obligations with regard to fundamental rights
Create a transparent framework in which civil society can contribute to the Commission's supervisory role

11. The Ombudsman and Frontex
EU in shock about recent tragedies in the Mediterranean
Frontex plays an important role as it coordinates EU border security with Member States
EO looks into how Frontex is complying with human rights standards
Special report about Frontex’ refusal to establish complaints mechanism
Now in the EP

12. Forced returns of migrants
Frontex coordinates joint return flights of rejected asylum seekers (JROs) to their home countries
Since 2006: More than people
Ombudsman commends Frontex’ work to date but submits proposals on how to improve JROs
More transparency as regards individual JROs, monitors’ reports, complaint procedures in EU and third countries
Improve JRO Code of Conduct as regards medical examinations, use of force, human rights training for escorts
Special treatment of pregnant women and children
Stronger engagement with the Member States

13. The European Citizens’ Initiative
Own-initiative finalised in March 2015
Including public consultation
Eleven proposals for the Commission on how to strengthen the role that ECIs play in democratic political debate at the European level

14. Proposals for the Commission
Better guidance for ECI organisers
Stronger involvement of the EP and the Council
More pressure on Member States so that all EU citizens can sign an ECI, regardless of where they reside
Explain rejections of ECIs better
Explain political choices as regards follow-up to ECIs that have obtained one million signatures better
Improve online collection system software
Improve quality checks to ensure that funding and sponsorship information are correct

15. Expert groups investigation
Commission relies on advice of hundreds of expert groups for legislation and policy
Concerns about lack of balanced representation of interests and appointment of members "in a personal capacity"
Public consultation: 60 contributions received from trade unions, business organisations, civil society organisations, individuals
Separate investigation on DG AGRI’s 14 "civil dialogue groups"

16. Ombudsman proposals Legally binding framework for all expert groups
Definition of what balanced representation in different groups should look like
Reduce potential conflict of interest situations (background checks, CVs)
Publish more information about the work of the groups (agendas, minutes)

17. www.ombudsman.europa.eu @EUOmbudsman