power player or lame duck? The eu’s role in shaping social policy

structure Tour de table Social Europe? A state of play EU tools: the European Semester & the European Pillar of Social Rights Case study: Austria Group work 7/13/2019 M&E Network meeting: Diaconia as a bedrock for social cohesion

Social Europe? a state of play Principle of subsidiarity ‘Soft power’ (appeal) vs. ‘hard power’ (coercion) Influencing social policies through: i) EU Funding instruments ii) Exchange of practices (OMC) iii) Non-binding Recommendations Subsidiarity is a principle of social organization that originated in the Roman Catholic Church. In its most basic formulation, it holds that social and political issues should be dealt with at the most immediate (or local) level that is consistent with their resolution. The Oxford English Dictionary defines subsidiarity as, "the principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed at a more local level 7/13/2019 M&E Network meeting: Diaconia as a bedrock for social cohesion

Charting the future of (social) europe EU role fixed by treaties, BUT: interpretive leeway & treaty change possible 2017: reflection process on future of (Social) Europe: i) White Paper on the future of Europe ii) 5 ‘Reflection papers’ on core topics, including social dimension Rationale: ’’Many Europeans consider the Union as either too distant or too interfering in their day-to-day lives. Others question its added value and ask how Europe improves their standard of living’’ Aftermath of financial crisis Increasing influx of migrants Disconnect with citizens BREXIT 7/13/2019 M&E Network meeting: Diaconia as a bedrock for social cohesion

Reflection paper on the social dimension of europe Only free movement Those who want to do more, do more Deepening the social dimension together No EU funding for social investment ‘Social Europe a la carte’ Deepen cooperation on common challenges No exchange of practices on employment & social protection Easier to build political concensus Binding targets & benchmarks Increase of social divergence Less transparency of decision-making More difficult to build political consensus Less EU regulation, ‘cutting of red tape’ Politically unfeasible? 7/13/2019 M&E Network meeting: Diaconia as a bedrock for social cohesion

part ii: a closer look at eu tools

Europe 2020 10-year strategy for Europe's development until 2020 Stimulate ‘’smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’’ 5 headline targets, including: Reduction of Poverty and social exclusion: ‘’Reduce the number of persons at risk of poverty by at least 20 million’’  High-level political commitment to fight poverty To understand the european semester 7/13/2019

The european semester Key instrument to realise Europe2020 Operationalisation: 2010-2020 Annual cycle of political activities: Annual Growth Survey Country Reports National Reform Programmes Country-Specific Recommendations So what is the connection? 7/13/2019

National Reform Programmes Country-Specific Recommendations Annual Growth Survey Country Reports National Reform Programmes Country-Specific Recommendations Description Commission instructs Member States on social & economic priorities Commission analyses key economic and social trends in Member States Member States respond to the AGS & Country Report by outlining concrete policies Commission makes policy recommendations to Member States Political Importance High Medium Space for diaconal involvement Low Low/Medium 7/13/2019 M&E Network meeting: Diaconia as a bedrock for social cohesion

European pillar of social rights Key social initiative of the Juncker Commission: 2016-2019 Aim: Promoting ‘’upward social convergence’’ between EU Member States (reduce national differences) Improve labour market access & social protection systems across Europe Three chapters: 1) Equal opportunities & access to employment 2) Fair working conditions 3) Social protection and inclusion European semester is barosso commission Juncker commission launched new initiative 7/13/2019

European pillar of social rights 10 principles for improved social protection and inclusion: Minimum income Healthcare Old-age income & pensions Social protection Long-term care Inclusion of persons with disabilities Housing & assistance for the homeless Adequate childcare Unemployment benefits Access to essential services Eu2020 continues to exist, but no delivery on its targets.. Time for reboost under new Juncker commission 7/13/2019

Social scoreboard Public support / Social protection and inclusion Impact of public policies on reducing poverty 11.Impact of social transfers (other than pensions) on poverty reduction (Difference, among total population, between the share of people at risk of poverty rate before and after social transfers, by gender) Eurostat General government expenditure by function (General government expenditure as % of GDP, by function (social protection, health and education)) Aggregate replacement ratio for pensions (Ratio of the median individual gross pensions of 65-74 age category relative to the median individual gross earning of 50-59 age category) Early childhood care 12.Children aged less than 3 years in formal childcare (Children in formal childcare (proportion of children in same age group - age 0 – 3)) Healthcare 13.Self-reported unmet need for medical care (EU SILC) (% of total population who reported unmet need for medical care, by gender) Healthy life years (at the age of 65) Out-of-pocket expenditure on health care Digital access 14.Individuals’ level of digital skills (Share of population with basic overall digital skills or above basic overall digital skills by gender) Connectivity dimension of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI): Fixed broadband take up (33%), mobile Broadband take up (22%), speed (33%), and affordability (11%) Digital Scoreboard  7/13/2019 M&E Network meeting: Diaconia as a bedrock for social cohesion

1) EU commitment to improving social protection across MS Opportunities: 1) EU commitment to improving social protection across MS 2) Promising list of principles 3) Monitoring & omplementation through European Semester & Social Scoreboard Obstacles: 1) Applies primarily to Eurozone  two-track Europe? 2) Prioritisation of social partners  limited role for civil society? 3) Not binding: ‘’principles’’, not rights 7/13/2019

Group work 1) Do you consider the Semester and the EPSR to be relevant advocacy tools for your organisation? Why/why not? 2) What is needed for a better link between strategies on EU and national level? 3) How can Eurodiaconia support your engagement with the Semester and the EPSR? 7/13/2019 M&E Network meeting: Diaconia as a bedrock for social cohesion

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