The Commission presented within its EU Budget 2014-2020 project, the proposals for the new Health for Growth and Consumer Programmes which include €446 million and €197 million respectively. With these two new proposals, the Commission intends to foster a Europe of healthy, active, informed and empowered citizens, who can contribute to economic growth.

The EU Budget 2014-2020 project includes now two new programmes, Health for Growth and Consumer Programmes. The EU Multiannual Financial Framework proposed was presented last June. Also in June the European Parliament asked for increasing this financial framework. Generally speaking the Commission proposes both programmes in order to foster healthy, active, informed and empowered citizens, who can contribute to economic growth.

The Health for Growth Programme aims to support and complement the work of Member States to develop innovative and sustainable health systems; increase access to better and safer healthcare for citizens; promote health and preventing disease; and protect citizens from cross-border health threats. On the other hand, the Consumer Programme has as main objective to place consumers at the centre of the Single Market throughout enhancing product safety through effective market surveillance; improving consumers' information, education and awareness of their rights; consolidating consumer rights and strengthening effective redress, especially through alternative dispute resolution; and strengthening enforcement of rights cross-border.

The proposals will be discussed by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers, with a view to adoption by the end of 2013, to allow for the start of the new health and consumer programmes in 2014. Negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for the whole EU budget will continue in parallel.