Brussels Briefing: The role social services play in European resilience - Applying lessons from the pandemic

New Eurofound findings show how EU government spending on social services – social protection, education, and health – reached a significant 35% of GDP in the EU during the COVID-19 crisis, demonstrating the level of EU commitment to social issues. The recent pandemic highlighted the critical contribution of social services to the resilience of European societies. However, structural issues such as staff shortages, poor working conditions and lack of digitalisation limited the ability of social services to deliver on their mission during the pandemic. Unless these structural issues – many linked to jobs in social services that are strained, stressful and under-resourced – are urgently addressed, these challenges will persist into the post-pandemic future.

Eurofound’s research highlights the value and importance of nurturing collaboration with stakeholders in social services sector, including (informal) carers. This informal off-the record expert briefing with Tadas Leončikas, Head of Eurofound’s Employment Unit, will be an opportunity to get behind the data and discuss how lessons learnt from the pandemic can be carried through. It will also facilitate an exchange with those closest to these services and sectors and stakeholders and decision-makers on how to apply these lessons.

Agenda