1. Europe 2020 and European Semester Policy Update July 2018
Sian Jones
Policy Coordinator
European Anti-Poverty Network

2. Outline Reminder of the European Semester cycle
Key drivers of the process
EAPN Action March July 2018
What’s coming up?
Focus in this meeting: CSRs and NRPs, Key messages to AGS

3. The European Semester Cycle
Annual Growth Survey (AGS) 2018 – 22 November 2017
Country Reports / Winter Package – 7 March 2018
National Reform Programmes (NRP) and Stability or Convergence Programmes (SCP) – Mid-April 2018
Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) – 23 May 2018
Revision of MS budgets from Euro area – Mid-October 2018
Bilateral meetings – COM and MS on implementation – all year
Annual Growth Survey (AGS) 2018 – November 2018

4. Key drivers of the process4a
Key drivers of the process
Annual Growth Survey (and JER) 2018
Semester aims to identify economic and social priorities and convergence, and support the Social Pillar as a ‘compass’ for ‘fair and functioning labour markets and welfare systems’. However, same 3 priorities: boosting investment, structural reforms and responsible fiscal policies.
The European Pillar of Social Rights, adopted in Gothenburg on 17 November 2017, will be delivered primarily through the European Semester:
Social Scoreboard supposed to underpin AGS, Country Reports, CSRs
Member States expected to incorporate the Pillar in the NRPs
Employment Guidelines: amended to reflect the Pillar, provide CSR legal basis
Poverty Reduction Target of Europe 2020
118 million, still more than Scoreboard more visible than Target.

5. EAPN Action March 2018 to July 2018
Presented initial findings on Country Reports and proposals for CSRs at Social Protection Committee (SPC) on 25 April.
EC Seminar: Social Pillar and European Semester – spoke on panel on social protection/inclusion. (17 April)
Participated with 20 members in Annual Convention including workshop on European Semester, organized side event on New Ways of Work (ETUC, EESC, Solidar)
Finalized EAPN Assessment of Country Reports and proposals for CSRs based on member inputs, disseminated to EU institutions and key stakeholders (May 2018)
Meeting with Chair of SPC Indicators Sub Group on Social Scoreboard (8 May)
Presented initial findings on CSRs at SPC (30 May)
Finalized EAPN Assessment of 2018 CSRs with Country Annex (June 2018) sent to Commission and other EU institutions and stakeholders.
Participated in DG Employment Strategic Dialogue Meeting – CSRs (2 July)
Invited by DG ECFIN and Juncker’s Cabinet to meet (June 2018)

6. Annual Growth Survey and Joint Employment Report
EAPN’s response: Five key priorities for action
Ensure macroeconomic policies are coherent with social rights
Set out a roadmap with EU funding to implement the Social Pillar and reduce poverty
Give equal weight to adequate minimum income and social protection as a right, ensuring adequate financing
Promote quality jobs, as part of integrated Active Inclusion approaches
Make Civil Society equal partners in the Semester!

7. CSR 2018 EAPN proposals Ensure Progress on poverty and Social Pillar
Prioritize the fight against poverty/social exclusion through rights-based integrated strategies and impact assessment
Require higher investment in social policies and raise social protection levels including minimum income
Guarantee universal access to affordable quality services, including health and housing inline with the Social Pillar
Invest in inclusive labour markets, with pathway to quality jobs
Shift narrative from austerity to social investment in social rights and standards; finance strong welfare states through tax justice.
Leave nobody behind – design complementary support and integration strategies for groups at risk.
Take active steps to promote meaningful civil dialogue including people experiencing poverty.
Make Civil Society equal partners in the Semester!

8. 4a
CSR 2018 EAPN Response More audacity to fight poverty and ensure social rights.
Poverty and inequality lack visibility and consistency of approach – including integrated strategy underpinned by social rights.
Systematic follow up needed on key target groups facing worst risk of poverty
Stability-driven spending cuts and focus on efficiency undermine delivery on poverty and social rights.
Mainstream design tax/benefits to reduce poverty and inequality
Prioritise adequate minimum income and social protection and stop pressures to cut spending/carry out austerity measures.
Inclusive labour market + quality employment still get only limited attention, with narrow focus on getting people into any job.
Some positive proposals on inclusiveness and quality education but still primarily perceived as a labour market tool
No CSRs demanding rights for civil dialogue.

9. What’s coming up? Timeline June - September 2018
July EUISG: Exchange on NRPs and CSRs and finalize questionnaire on NRPs by 12 July and
Exchange with Commission on key messages and gaps in Country Reports! (10 July)
July- Sept: Draft NRP Assessment report disseminated to members in early August until 4 September. Then finalized with key messages. Draft letter to Juncker/AGS
June – October: Poverty Watch Reports: preparation during EU ISG meeting, exchange in Sept meeting and completion early October national events; launch in EP Intergroup in December
September EUISG: Exchange on poverty watch and final key messages to AGS.
2nd October – DG Employment Structured Dialogue Seminar – Input to Country Reports
Mid October – final date of analytical input to country reports.
15 October – Eurozone MS present budgets to EC.
Autumn to February: Bilateral meetings in preparation for Country Report between Commission, Member States and some stakeholders?
Mid November: Annual Growth Survey and draft Joint Employment Report adopted.
December: EAPN Response.

10. Focus in this meeting: CSRs and NRPs
Plenary:
Update on EU processes, feedback on national engagement.
Exchanging on the NRPs and CSRs 2018 in groups:
NRPs – Poverty/social rights: What are the positives/negatives, what’s missing?
CSRs – Poverty/social rights: What are the positives/negatives, what’s missing? Improvement on 2017? Do they reflect the Pillar of Social Rights?
What are your main key messages to the AGS?
After the meeting:
Complete NRP questionnaire and send to policy team by 13 July
Staff team prepares synthesis report and circulates for comments
See also: Toolkit on Engaging with the European Semester & the European Pillar of Social Rights 2018

11. Thank you for your attention!
For more information, please contact Sian Jones EAPN Policy Coordinator