European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
social policy
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Health and social security [Policy Podcast]
While the main responsibility for health and social security lies primarily with the governments of the individual European Union (EU) Member States, the EU complements national policies, especially those having a cross-border dimension. Continue reading
What if we could design better technologies through dialogue? [Science and Technology Podcast]
While we often worry about the acceptance of technology in the face of real and potential public opposition, there are frequently gaps between how regulators, developers and experts conceptualise acceptance and opposition. Continue reading
Inequality [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Inequality has diminished on a global scale in the last 30 years, as more than two billion people have been lifted out of poverty in countries such as China or India. Continue reading
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027 [EU Legislation in Progress]
In preparation for the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) on 30 May 2018. Continue reading
Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders on 22-23 March 2018
On 22 and 23 March 2018, the EU Heads of State or Government will convene in four different formations with varying compositions and levels of formality: a regular meeting of the European Council, a Leaders’ meeting on taxation, a Euro Summit and a European Council (Article 50) meeting. Continue reading
What is the EU doing for people with disabilities?
On 6 December 2017, the European Parliament hosted the 4th European Parliament of persons with disabilities event, bringing together delegates from organisations that represent persons with disabilities from across Europe, Members of the European Parliament and representatives of other EU institutions. Continue reading
Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders on 14-15 December 2017
On 14 and 15 December 2017, EU leaders will convene in four different settings with varying compositions and levels of formality: a regular summit of the European Council, a Leaders’ meeting on migration, a European Council (Article 50) meeting, and an enlarged Euro Summit. Continue reading
Posting of Workers Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
Posting of workers plays an important role in the internal market, particularly in the cross-border provision of services. While the number of posted workers continues to increase significantly, problems such as unfair practices and unequal remuneration persist. Continue reading
Social Summit on jobs and growth for a stronger social Europe
The Gothenburg Social Summit (17 November 2017) is an important milestone in the ongoing discussions on the future of Europe. Continue reading
Amending social security coordination [EU Legislation in Progress]
Approximately 14 million EU residents (mobile workers, unemployed and economically inactive citizens) are not living in their home country. Continue reading
Framework for a pan-European personal pension product (PEPP) [EU Legislation in Progress]
Europe’s population is ageing, due to people living longer and having fewer children, putting increased pressure on pension systems. Continue reading
EU social policies [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, On 26 April, the European Commission presented a European Pillar of Social Rights, which is a package of legislative proposals and recommendations aimed at enhancing work-life balance, fostering equal opportunities and better access to the labour market, as well as improving working conditions. Under the proposal, for example, new fathers would … Continue reading
EU support for social entrepreneurs [Policy Podcast]
Written by Agnieszka Widuto, Social enterprises combine social goals with entrepreneurial activity. They represent a business model focused on having a positive social or environmental impact rather than simply making profit for shareholders. Social enterprises make a valuable contribution to the economy and society, operating mainly in local communities and covering areas such as education, … Continue reading
Outlook for the 9 March 2017 European Council, and the Informal meeting of the 27 Heads of State or Government on 10 March 2017
Written by Susanna Tenhunen and Ralf Drachenberg, At their 9-10 March 2017 meeting, EU leaders will focus on the economic situation in Europe, including the economic and social priorities of the 2017 European Semester, trade policy and delivery of the different single market strategies. The European Council will also discuss migration, security and defence, and … Continue reading
Fostering social innovation in the European Union
Written by Nora Milotay and Giovanni Liva, Strengthening the social dimensions of European Union policies, in general, and of the economic and monetary union, in particular is an increasingly important discourse across the Member States, particularly since the 2008 financial crisis. Social innovation, which is gaining increasing importance in the public, private and third (i.e. … Continue reading
12 Graphs: Five key dimensions of social innovation
Written by Clare Ferguson, The events of 2016 have made it clear that citizens expect policy-makers to come up with some new ideas to meet their needs and contribute to creating a more inclusive and cohesive society through promoting new processes and relationships, innovative solutions, and thus transformation. The EU aims to address this need … Continue reading
Vulnerability of unaccompanied and separated child migrants
Written by Joanna Apap, The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has estimated that in 2015, there were globally no fewer than 100 000 unaccompanied migrant and refugee children. Europol has stated that at least 10 000 unaccompanied child refugees have gone missing after arriving in Europe. There are various reasons why a child may be … Continue reading
Understanding social innovation
Written by Nora Milotay, Social innovation has become an important concept in European policy-making, cutting across sectors and disciplines. However, despite the increasingly frequent use of the term there is no consensus as regards its definition. As a result, in part of extensive research work at EU level, it is currently interpreted as a ubiquitous … Continue reading
European Pillar of Social Rights for a more social Europe [Policy Podcast]
The European Pillar of Social Rights is the European Commission’s latest major initiative in the field of employment and social affairs. It is intended to serve the further ‘socialisation’ of the Economic and Monetary Union by strengthening its employment and social aspects, as stated in the Five Presidents’ Report on ‘Completing Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union’ from June 2015. In March 2016, the Commission published a preliminary outline of the Pillar, which is now undergoing broad consultation. In its final form, the Pillar could help not only the euro-area countries but also the other EU Member States achieve upward convergence of their social and employment performance. Continue reading
Energy poverty in the EU
Written by Dessislava Yougova Two important studies on energy poverty in the EU were published in 2015 (see below), testifying to the importance of the problem on a European scale. According to the European Commission, around 11% of the EU population may experience energy poverty (see press release ). Energy poverty means that households cannot heat their … Continue reading
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