At the service of citizens
When exercising its policies, the European Union strives for the greatest possible proximity to its citizens. Policy is only conducted at European level when doing so proves more efficient than implementing it at the local, regional or national level.
The European Ombudsman
The European Ombudsman serves as an intermediary between European authorities and citizens by receiving complaints lodged by individuals, companies and EU institutions or anyone residing or domiciled in a Member State. The complaints in question concern the poor administration of European institutions (including discrimination, abuses of power, a lack or total absence of information, delays and procedural errors).
SOLVIT
Every EU citizen has the fundamental right to go and live, work or study in any Member State. Companies, too, are entitled to set up shop, provide services and transact business anywhere in the EU. However, sometimes a lack of information, differing interpretations of Community legislation by national administrations, errors and misunderstandings make it difficult to assert these rights. To overcome these difficulties, the EU founded SOLVIT, an online problem-solving network established in each Member State, including Belgium, as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Complaints are submitted via forms that are filled out online.
Europe Direct
The European Commission also offers a public information service, dubbed Europe Direct. In Belgium, information centres were set up in most provinces in 1997. They are also supported by these provinces.
