Channelling voices, Building solidarity

The Platform of European Social NGOs (Social Platform) is the alliance of representative European federations and networks of NGOs active in the social sector was established in 1995 is now a network with more than 50 members

MISSION The Social Platform promotes social justice and participatory democracy in the European Union. Together we work to build a united, strong European social NGO sector, and to create a European Union based upon our common values

VALUES The Social Platform and its members are committed to the advancement of the principles of equality, solidarity, non discrimination and the promotion and respect of fundamental rights for all, within Europe and in particular the European Union.

VISION The Social Platform bases its common actions upon the following vision:  The eradication of poverty and the elimination of social exclusion  The elimination of discrimination in all its forms and the promotion of equality for all  Equality between women and men in all areas of life  The promotion of participatory democracy  The engagement of social NGOs in an enhanced structured civil dialogue at EU level  The involvement of people experiencing or at risk of poverty, exclusion and discrimination in decision-making processes affecting them

AIMS Strengthening the Sector  support the development of a strong, vibrant social NGO sector Reinforcing Participatory Democracy  strengthen participatory democracy by supporting a process of dialogue between NGOs and a more transparent European Union Shaping Social Europe  positively influence the development of the EU’s social and economic model by focusing our policy work upon the relationship between economic and social policies, and by promoting our common vision for a social Europe Three main aims of the Social Platform for the next five years:

ACTIVITIES Capacity-building  helping its members develop and improve their work Civil dialogue  working together to gain better access to the EU institutions Campaigning  developing common positions and lobbying the EU Communication  raising awareness of Social NGOs and their work

Capacity-building Exchanges of experience between social NGOs: meetings, website, weekly mailing Exchange with other stakeholders eg other NGO sectors; trade unions; academic experts Training for members eg public speaking skills, information about the Constitutional Treaty Networking visits to new Member States and candidate countries

Civil dialogue The Social Platform aims to develop structured civil dialogue to allow for the consistent consultation of civil society by European Union Institutions: Bi-annual meetings with the European Commission Bi-annual meetings with the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Meetings with national employment & social affairs Ministers Frequent informal meetings with these three bodies as well as with other EU Institutions (Economic and Social Committee, Committee of Regions…..)

Advocacy / Campaigns The Social Platform seeks to advance the interests of its members through advocacy of common positions. Examples of key campaigns: Lisbon Strategy EU Social Agenda 2005–2010 and Social Inclusion Services Directive and Services of General Interest Future of Anti-discrimination policies Corporate Social Responsibility Participatory Democracy and Civil Dialogue EU Constitutional Treaty

Communication Internal communication activities: disseminating information to Social Platform members - weekly internal newsletter, s, meetings External communication activities: promoting knowledge of the Social Platform and social NGOs - ‘Social Voices’ magazine, Social Platform website, press releases, articles in the European press

GOVERNANCE The Social Platform is an independent democratic alliance committed to operating on the principles of: Transparency Representativity Democracy Equality Its structure is designed so that all members are able to participate fully in running the Social Platform

How the Platform is run by its members:

SOCIAL PLATFORM MEMBERS (2006) Red Cross EU Office Solidar The European Association of Societies of Persons with Intellectual Disability and their Families (Inclusion Europe) The European Older People's Platform (AGE) The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA-Europe) The European Volunteer Centre (CEV) The International Federation of the Christian Associations of Italian Workers (FAI) Workability Europe Associate members Association des Femmes de l'Europe Méridionale (AFEM) International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (IPPF EN) European Roma Information Office (ERIO) Youth and European Social Work (YES Forum) Observers EuroHealthNet International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW Europe) National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) Pancyprian Welfare Council PICUM Plataforma de ONGs de Acción Social Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Slovenian NCVOS Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) Full members ATD Fourth World International Movement Autism Europe Caritas Europa Combined European Bureau for Social Development (CEBSD) Confederation of Family Organisations in the EU (COFACE) Eurochild Eurodiaconia Euronet European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) European Blind Union (EBU) European Confederation of Workers' Co-operatives, Social Cooperatives and Participative Enterprises (CECOP) European Council for Non-Profit Organisations (CEDAG) European Disability Forum (EDF) European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) European Federation of Older Persons (EURAG) European Federation of Unpaid Parents and Carers at Home (FEFAF) European Liaison Committee for Social Housing (CECODHAS) European Network Against Racism (ENAR) European Network of the Unemployed (ENU) European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) European Round Table of Charitable Social Welfare Associations (ET Welfare) European Social Action Network (ESAN) European Women's Lobby (EWL) European Youth Forum (YFJ) International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) International Save the Children Alliance Mental Health Europe (MHE) Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)

Contact information: Square de Meeûs 18 B-1050 Brussels Belgium T F