Employment and Social Situation: Quarterly Review indicates little improvement despite first signs of recovery

31/03/2014The recent economic recovery has not yet been able to create new jobs and the social situation in the EU shows little signs of improvement so far, according to the European Commission's latest Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review.

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=2054&furtherNews=yes

ANEC study on models of special accommodation for older people across Europe

Between 2008 and 2012, ANEC contributed to the development of the first European standardisation initiative in the area of social welfare: Sheltered Housing for Older People. That process ended with the publication of a weaker deliverable than expected and highlighted the need to consider the diversity of models of accommodation and care for older people in possible future standardisation work.

ANEC recently published a study, proposed by the ANEC Services and Design for All Working Groups, with a view to informing future work on standardisation related to accommodation and care for older people.

The study confirms a geographical categorisation of these services, and shows the provision of care support to older people in their homes is affected by the cultural specificities. In some countries, evidence has shown an increasing focus on enabling older people to remain at home, or in supported housing, where they retain independence while having access to support when needed.

Taking stock of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

This communication sets the scene for a future review of the Europe 2020 strategy. The European Council will hold a first discussion, based on the Commission's findings, at its meeting on 20-21 March.

Given the scale of the change that the EU has undergone as a result of the crisis, the Commission considers it necessary to launch an EU-wide public consultation to gather the views of all interested parties on how to develop the Europe 2020 strategy over the next five years. The consultation will start later this spring and conclude in the autumn.Following the consultation, the Commission will make further proposals for the strategy early in 2015.

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/pdf/europe2020stocktaking_en.pdf

NGOs call on decision makers to ensure access to basic bank account

AGE co-signed a letter to decision makers involved in the negotiations on the Payment Accounts Directive to call on them to ensure the legislation protects vulnerable users.

Part of the legislation is regarding ensuring access to a basic bank account and key elements Eurodiaconia supports are under threat in the negotiations between national governments and the European Parliament.

The letter is coordinated by the Social Platform and can be read here.

Comments welcome on Discussion Paper on EU Road Map for Adequate Minimum Income

The European Minimum Income Network (EMIN) is a two year project (2013-2014) funded by the European Commission, that has the aim of building consensus to take the necessary steps towards the progressive realisation of adequate and accessible minimum income schemes in EU Member States, in line with the European Commission’s Active Inclusion Recommendation of 2008, the Europe 2020 strategy and in the context of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion.
EMIN is asking for comments to the  Discussion Paper “EU Roadmap for the progressive realisation of adequate minimum income schemes”  before the end of March.  

Webinar: Fuel poverty and energy savings consultation for private households – Lessons learnt around Europe

The Energy-Check for Low Income Households – EC-LINC – motivates and enables people with low income to live more energy efficiently by applying no-cost or low cost measures. The pilot projects of EC-LINC in Berlin, Berchem, Budapest and Vienna help these households to change their consumer behaviour.

A Webinar “Fuel poverty and energy savings consultation for private households – Lessons learnt around Europe” on Feb 11th 2014 was attended by ca. 50 participants from all across Europe and from varying organisations and backgrounds. The online-event has been recorded and can be (…) » read more

Social Security Compass for Europe

This 2013 edition of the database and brochure also includes a detailed examination of the subject of “Disability”, a very significant and differentiated topic in social policy.

This publication is made available as part of the public relations work of the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. http://www.bmas.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/PDF-Publikationen/a802-sozial-kompass-englisch.pdf?__blob=publicationFile