50 years of supporting better policies for a strong social Europe: Eurofound launch event for its anniversary campaign

On 26 March 2025 Eurofound hosted the launch event for its 50th anniversary campaign at the European Parliament Office in Dublin.

As the only EU agency based in Ireland, Eurofound plays a pivotal role in providing knowledge to support the development of better social, employment, and work-related policies. For 50 years, it has delivered analysis, expertise, and comparative research findings across EU Member States, helping policymakers address key challenges in these areas.

This event marked the first major milestone in the agency’s year-long anniversary campaign. Opened by Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Niamh Smyth, it brought together up to over 60 distinguished stakeholders, including Government representatives, MEPs, the European Commission, trade unions, employers, and key think tanks as well as academic institutions, who joined in a lively Q&A with guest speaker Andriana Sukova, Deputy Director-General in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, with Fearghas O’Béara, Head of Office, European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, and with Maeve von Heynitz, EU Director General, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland.

The event was an opportunity to reflect on how social and employment policy has evolved over five decades, and to discuss Europe’s future direction and policy responses to emerging challenges. It was also a chance to highlight Ireland’s role in shaping Europe ahead of its 2026 chairing of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Photos from the event can be viewed on Eurofound’s Flickr page.