Social Protection & Social Inclusion

The EU coordinates and encourages national governments to

• combat poverty and social exclusion
• reform their social welfare systems by learning from each other and identifying what policies work best (in the fields of poverty and social exclusion, pensions, health & long-term care)
• tackle the challenges posed by demographic change and to prepare for the effects of population ageing by focusing upon the emerging opportunities
• report regularly with data which is directly comparable across the EU.

The European Commission funds studies and analyses relating to poverty and social exclusion, pensions, health and long-term care.

Working together  

EU countries work together in this field using a framework for political cooperation called the open method of coordination.  This involves agreeing common objectives and common indicators, which show how progress towards these goals can be measured. 

National governments translate the common objectives into national plans – submitted as national strategic reports. 

The national reports are assessed by the Commission and Council in joint reports. These reports reflect what EU-level initiatives have achieved in individual countries.

The Commission also works with countries that have applied to join the EU to help them reform their social welfare systems.  Priorities for action are set out in 'Joint Inclusion Memoranda'.

Monitoring at EU level   

The Commission produces reports on the social situation in the EU and developments in selected areas, supplemented by statistical data – Commission social situation reports. 

The European Observatory on the social situation analyses social and demographic trends to assist the Commission in its duty to report on the social situation. It consists of three multidisciplinary, international networks monitoring

• income distribution and living conditions
• demography
• health status, health care and long-term care