1. Žarko Šunderić Center for Social Policy Belgrade, December 10, 2018
Analysis of EI instruments for welfare state reforms in the Western Balkans
Žarko Šunderić
Center for Social Policy
Belgrade, December 10, 2018

2. EU and Social Policy
The national social welfare systems in the EU are very heterogeneous – in spite of the fact that problems are similar
EU member states have remained the main actors – and not the EU itself – in employment and social policy, and general social sectors
EU Acquis and EU values are to be reached through the EU Negotiations process
Policy harmonization is promoted through EU strategies and flagship initiatives – through joint goals, targets and selected indicators
Coordination is strengthened through the Open Method of Coordination
Priorities are funded through the EU structural funds
Up to Croatia’s accession, policy reforms in social sectors in EI process are promoted through: Joint Inclusion Memorandum (JIM) and Joint Assessment of the Employment Policy Priorities (JAP)

3. New instruments for the EU member states…

4. European Semester (2011)
Since the euro crisis, the EU has introduced a series of changes in its socio-economic governance architecture
European Semester is the process for coordination of national budgetary and economic policies and umbrella framework for policy coordination
Through the European Semester EC reviews performance of the National Reform Programs
Country-Specific Recommendations (CSR) are issued to member states, backed up in some cases by possible financial sanctions
Brings together a wide range of EU governance instruments with different legal bases and sanctioning authority
Brings social policy somewhat closer to the EU governance mechanisms, although focusing mainly on fiscal consolidation

5. Social aspects of European Semester
Responsibility for employment and social policy remains primarily with national governments…
However, EU economic governance generally does have an impact on domestic welfare states
For about half of the socially relevant country-specific recommendations member states have made at least ‘some progress’ regarding their implementation
The European Semester involves for some CSRs ‘hard’ reform pressure, such as monetary sanctions in case of non-compliance
The rate of implementation of ‘social’ CSR is higher for the eurozone countries than for the group of non-eurozone countries

6. The European Social Policy Network (2014)
Provides the European Commission with independent information, analysis and expertise on social policies
ESPN supports the Commission in monitoring progress towards the EU social protection and social inclusion objectives set out in the EU2020 strategy and in European Semester
Gives an overview of policies addressing key challenges in the areas of social protection (such as pensions, health, long-term care) and social inclusion
Assess on whether the policies reflect the social investment approach
Covers candidate countries and potential candidate countries

7. European Pillar of Social Rights (2017)
Sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well- functioning labour markets and welfare systems
It is primarily conceived for the euro area but applicable to all EU Member States wishing to be part of it
Building a fairer Europe and strengthening its social dimension is a key priority for this Commission
The European Pillar of Social Rights is accompanied by a ‘social scoreboard’ which will monitor the implementation of the Pillar
Tracking trends and performances across EU countries in 12 areas and will feed into the European Semester of economic policy coordination

8. New instruments for the EU candidates and potential candidates countries…

9. Economic Reform Programs – ERP (2015)
JIM and JAP replaced with Employment and Social Reform Programs (ESRP), but only for some countries and for few years… No process around ESRP anymore
Since 2015, all EU candidate countries and potential candidates prepare ERPs on an annual basis, with 3-year macroeconomic and fiscal policy frameworks and ”comprehensive structural reform agendas”
ERPs prepare the enlargement countries for their future participation in the EU’s economic policy coordination procedures
Key role in improving economic policy planning and steering reforms
9 structural reforms areas, including education and skills (7), employment and labor market (8) and social inclusion, poverty reduction and equal opportunities (9)
Structural reform – public policies that:
tackle obstacles to the fundamental drivers of growth
facilitate the use of resources and productive factors as efficiently as possible or
contribute to a more equitable and inclusive economy.

10. Overview of the ERP process in the Region
ERP guidance gives opportunities to countries to propose relevant policies:
policies that strengthen access to and quality of the education system at all levels…
policies that promote quality employment…
policies that modernize social protection systems, such as inclusion at the labor market and society, sustainability and adequacy of pension systems and access to quality services such as childcare, education, training, housing, health services and LTC
In reality, structural reforms cover measures which are less relevant for public spending (no reforms in pension, health, long-term care or mainstream education, while employment equals to AEM)
Mainstream policies have not been tackled through the ERP process – low effect on meeting major national goals or EU integration goals
Structural reforms are too narrow, which limits the utility and impact of ERPs
No sanctions if countries do not implement structural reforms, no award if they do well…

11. Enlargement Strategy (2018)
EC announces the new flagship initiative to enhance support for socio- economic development. It will include:
expanding the Western Balkans Investment Framework
a significant boost in the provision of guarantees to crowd in private investment
support to start – ups and SMEs and greater trade facilitation
more focus on employment and social policies
increased financial assistance to support the social sector, in particular education and health, funding under Erasmus+ will be doubled
Proposes holding of an annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial meeting on social and employment issues to exchange views…
Proposed initiative avoids major social protection policies and challenges
No explicit issues of sustainability, quality and governance in social sectors

12. Recommendations – within the borders of reality
A stronger focus on social sectors is needed within EI process, with more balanced arrangement of fiscal, macro-economic and social key indicators. EPSR can serve as a starting point
Develop regular social impact assessments of economic policy measures and reforms
Flagship initiative on socio-economic development should focus on the real challenges and the issues of sustainability, quality and governance in social sectors
ERPs should be strengthened with social protection policies and measures which are heavier part of national budgets (similar to European Semester for the EU MSs)
Ensure/support implementation of ERPs
EU funding must be linked to the social welfare challenges and reforms
Introduce incentives for performers and sanctions for non-performers
Promote evidence-based dialogue on social policy through high-level annual meetings to discuss challenges, priorities, concepts and progress (with civil society and academia involved)
Ensure the ‘buy-in’ of all levels of governance, including the local
Support development of quality and reliable statistics – quality data are prerequisite for better policies (indicators set; reliability and quality of data; access to data)
Organize regular regional technical peer review meetings where countries and experts can discuss challenges and reforms in social sectors

13. This project is funded by the European Fund for the Balkans through the Think and Link 2018 Grant, implemented by the Center for Social Policy (Belgrade), Finance Think (Skopje) and Economic and Social Analytics (Tirana)