EU priorities: Working for a strong social Europe

The new von der Leyen Commission took office on 1 December 2019. Having adopted its first work programme on 29 January 2020, the Commission sets out its plans for a transition to a fair, climate-neutral and digital Europe. It outlines six top priorities. The work programme ‘also reflects the main priorities for the European Parliament and those in the European Council’s Strategic Agenda for 2019–2024’.

• European Commission: A strong social Europe for just transitions
• European Council: A new strategic agenda for the EU 2019–2024

As part of the priorities outlined by the Commission, a number of initiatives are foreseen in 2020 and early 2021, as shown below.

Eurofound’s work directly feeds into a number of these key areas aimed at creating a strong social Europe. Explore where Eurofound’s research can provide you with the most current findings relevant to the EU policy priorities.

Priority 1: An economy that works for people

Working for social fairness and prosperity 

This priority includes the following EU initiatives:

• Fair minimum wages, initiating a first stage consultation of the social partners on 14 January 2020
• New Gender Equality Strategy, for publication on 5 March 2020, followed by binding pay transparency measures
• Industrial policy focusing on job creation
• Reinforced Youth Guarantee
• Action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights (2021)
• European Child Guarantee (2021)

Eurofound topics linked with this EU priority

Other related content

• Survey: European Company Survey 2019: Overview report
• European Industrial Relations Dictionary: European Semester
• Blog: Fears and hopes around future minimum wages
• News: EU Datathon 2020: Creating an economy that works for people – Eurofound data provides critical contribution

Priority 2: A Europe fit for the digital age

Empowering people with a new generation of technologies. This priority includes the following initiatives:

• Revised Skills Agenda for Europe
• Platform work summit

Eurofound topics linked with this EU priority

Other related content

• Pilot project: Future of manufaturing in Europe (FOME)
• Publication: Telework and ICT-based mobile work: Flexible working in the digital age
• Data: Platform economy repository
• Event: Flexible working in the digital age - Is everyone a winner? - Webinar

Priority 3: Promoting our European way of life

Building a Union of equality in which we all have the same access to opportunities. This priority includes the following initiatives:

• New pact on migration and asylum
• SMEs strategy
• Green paper on active ageing

Eurofound topics linked with this EU priority

Other related content:

• Blog: Europe – a world-class place to live and work?
• Publication: How your birthplace affects your workplace
• Publication: Concept and practice of a living wage
• Publication: Challenges and prospects in the EU: Quality of life and public services

Priority 4: A European Green Deal

Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent. This priority includes the following initiative:

• European Green Deal to ensure a transition to a climate-neutral continent which is fair and just for all and where ‘no one will be left behind’

Eurofound topics linked with this EU priority

Other related content

• Publication: Employment implications of the Paris Climate Agreement
• Blog: Europe’s low-carbon transition makes economic sense
• Pilot project: Future of manufaturing in Europe (FOME)

Priority 5: A stronger Europe in the world

Europe to strive for more by strengthening our unique brand of responsible global leadership. This priority includes the following initiative:

• EU campaign for declared work

Eurofound content linked with this EU priority

Other related content

• Publication: Working conditions in a global perspective
• Publication: Life and society in the EU candidate countries
• Blog: Europe – a world-class place to live and work?
• About Eurofound: Stakeholders and partners

Priority 6: A new push for European democracy

Nurturing, protecting and strengthening our democracy. This priority includes the following initiatives:

• Review of the  urban agenda for Europe
• Long-term vision for rural areas (2021) 

Eurofound topics linked with this EU priority

Other related content

• Data: EU convergence monitoring hub
• News: EU Datathon 2020: Creating an economy that works for people – Eurofound data provides critical contribution
• Publication: Societal change and trust in institutions
• Publication: Is rural Europe being left behind?
• Publication: What makes capital cities the best places to live?
• Publication: Improving the monitoring of posted workers in the EU

Further reading

• See the full list of topics covered in Eurofound research
• European Commission: 6 Commission priorities for 2019–2024
• Publication: Priorities for a new Europe