A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ISPRA SITE

14/07/2020 , No comments



Ispra, 13th July 2020
 
  NOTE TO THE ATTENTION OF
  MR STEPHEN QUEST- DIRECTOR GENERAL of the JRC
 
 
Subject:  A vision for the future of the Ispra site

Dear Mr Quest,

Preparedness and robust organisational structures have emerged as important assets in times of crisis. Indeed the coronavirus outbreak demonstrated that organisations and governments which had greater flexibility and shorter communication chains proved to be more resilient. This is undoubtedly the case for the JRC!

R&D Ispra anticipated much of this several years ago when we looked to the future and posed questions about the organisational and operational challenges we face as the Science arm of the Commission (see Annex for further details). What was true then is even more valid today - a more streamlined JRC and a stronger Ispra site are an asset for all.

Ispra hosts the third largest Commission site, and this is our vision for its future:
   
1. Free the JRC to focus on its role to underpin and enhance policy-making through high quality science delivering data, knowledge and options for action. Science services go beyond mere explorative research, and routine tasks not compatible with the JRC strategy can be entrusted to the direct control of policy DGs, which ensures the highest policy impact1.  These staff should nevertheless be located at Ispra to maximise interaction and information exchange;

2. Consider Ispra as the hosting site of some current and future new Commission structures, enabling synergies with existing and future JRC activities in related areas;
 
3. The Ispra site already hosts a very advanced crisis management infrastructure, and can provide increased resilience through decentralisation and geo-distribution of vital Commission services, thus guaranteeing business continuity in case of extreme events impeding their normal functioning at other major locations;
   
4. Renaissance of the idea of applied science diplomacy, as formulated in the treaties, making the Ispra site the hub of an active partnership between Europe, Africa and the Middle East;
   
5. The enabling factor: from "OIB and JRC site management" to OII (Office Infrastructure for Ispra). A neutral and independent management of the site infrastructure guarantees harmonised services to any DG that wishes to host staff at the Ispra site. We are thinking, for example, of EUROPOL, for whom a specially constructed facility has been created at Ispra.

We understand that our strategic perspective for the Ispra site would imply significant changes. We trust that you will find the time for an in-depth analysis and reflection with your senior management team. We would also appreciate the possibility to further discuss our ideas with you in more detail at your convenience.

Your Sincerely,

Gianfranco Selvagio                    Robert Kenny
President, R&D Ispra                     Political Secretary, R&D Ispra

 
 Cc : Bernard MAGENHANN, Marinus STROOSNIJDER
   
Annex – Supporting information and links to previous communications with Commissioners

 1 While in the JRC implementation review 2017 some of these activities are flagged for possible outsourcing, we consider more reasonable and effective to attach them and their related staff directly to the relevant policy DG (In some cases, legal constraints make externalisation impossible).

Supporting information and links to previous communications with Commissioners

Ispra hosts the third largest Commission site, it is located at the very heart of Europe and it is nearby major transport links. Due to its unique geographical position, the site offers itself an ideal hub for science diplomacy with focus on the Mediterranean, Danube region and beyond, thus offering new impulses to the EU integration process and the leading global role the EU strives for. We are convinced that the Commission would greatly benefit from a more intensive employment of the facilities and know how available at Ispra, as well from increased investments in the site.

In a previous note sent on 26th May 2016 to VP Georgieva, referring to the major JRC reorganisation that took place on 1st July 2016, we anticipated that "we consider the JRC reorganisation as a first step setting the framework to be followed by further moves towards a full integration of the Ispra site within the framework planned for the whole Commission." In her reply, VP Georgieva recognised the validity of the points raised by us, stating at the same time that "the Director General of JRC decided that the best way forward was to create a dedicated entity within JRC to ensure the infrastructure governance for all JRC sites".
In a follow-up note to Commissioners Oettinger and Navracsics dated 14th December 2017 we made further proposals for a stronger and more streamlined JRC. In their reply, they noted that some of our proposals were worthy of further discussion, while also stating their belief that the current approach to site management was the most efficient.

We believe now is an appropriate time to review the major reorganisation implemented on 1st July 2016 (as well as the fine-tuning of 1st January 2018) continuing a path that is consistent with our initial proposal: all Ispra infrastructure and logistics services having been brought together under a single Department called "Site Management Ispra".

We ask now for you to take the final step to merge this JRC Department (JRC.R.I) with "OIB Ispra" (which is already in charge of Ispra social infrastructure), thus forming a unique Office for Infrastructure, e.g. as a new Office for Infrastructure Ispra (OII). This would mean that the Ispra site would be structured and function as any other major Commission site with a management capable of interacting with the host national authorities and performing the legal role provided for by the appropriate agreements (e.g. Treaty of Rome, EURATOM).

Further benefits deriving from our vision:
•          A comprehensive and consistent use of "Offices" promises an increased efficiency and the reduction of the cost of support functions;
•          It will encourage breaking down of silos, and facilitate staff mobility;
•          Investments aimed at growing the Ispra site may help to reduce the strain caused by infrastructure shortages and high costs of rented buildings in Brussels and Luxembourg;
•          Contractual Agents working for "Offices" may be offered contracts that are not limited to 6 years duration as is the case for JRC staff;
•          A clear line of command related to Health and Safety on the Ispra site, where the leadership of the OII could become the single responsible according to Italian law.

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