EFA Visit to the Basque Country

The EFA Group in the European Parliament is visiting the Basque Country with a focus on economic innovation, and how small nations and regions can be innovators in stimulating economic growth. There will be a focus on the co-operative movement, high-tech innovation and green jobs. This is particularly relevant as Europe goes through unprecedented economic upheaval, with youth unemployment in some areas at critical levels. Yet the Basque Country seems to have bucked the trend in some respects and is by far outperforming Spain in economic terms. Whilst unemployment in Spain currently stands at 27.2%, in the Basque Country this is significantly less at 13.8%. President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament, Jill Evans MEP said: "Revitalising the economy is our top priority and the Basque Country is a good example of what can be done in transforming a small country economy. "We will be meeting key players to discuss their economic success and what lessons we can learn from that. "The story of how Mondragon grew into the world's largest worker co-operative employing over 80,000 employees in 256 companies will be of great interest to us." __________________________ EFA Visit to the Basque Country: Day One EFA Visit to the Basque Country: Day Two EFA Visit to the Basque Country: Day Three EFA Visit to the Basque Country: Day Four