Social policies

The European Pillar of Social Rights, endorsed in November 2017, is built upon 20 key principles, structured around: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; and social protection and inclusion. On 4 March 2021, the European Commission presented its action plan to fully implement the Pillar, turning the principles into concrete actions to benefit EU citizens, while also supporting the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines three EU-level targets to be achieved by 2030 and that will help to steer national policies and reforms:

• At least 78% of the population aged 20 to 64 should be in employment by 2030
• At least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year
• The number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion should be reduced by at least 15 million by 2030, including at least 5 million children

Implementation of the Pillar largely depends on the actions of the Member States, who primarily hold responsibility for employment, skills and social policies. The Commission supports Member States in achieving these targets by providing guidance and coordination of national economic and social policies via the European Semester process, including related country-specific recommendations, in order to strengthen employment and social policies and to invest in social services and social infrastructure.

In the social policy area, in June 2021, the Commission launched a European Platform on Combating Homelessness and in September 2022, presented a new European Care Strategy, including an initiative on long-term care and the revision of the Barcelona targets. Also in 2022, it put forward a proposal for a Council Recommendation on minimum income. It has also launched in 2021 a high-level expert group to study the future of the welfare state.

The European Social Policy Network (ESPN), set up by the Commission in 2014, provides independent information, analysis and expertise on social policies. The principles in the Social Pillar provide an extensive basis for development of new initiatives. 

• European Commission: European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
• European Commission: European Platform on Combatting Homelessness
• European Commission: A European Care Strategy for caregivers and care receivers
• European Commission: Recommendation on minimum income
• European Commission: Making the social welfare state fit for the future: Commission launches new EU High-Level Group
• European Commission: European Social Policy Network (ESPN)