Social Agenda n°42 presents the European Commission's proposal to tackle long-term unemployment.

For the long-term unemployed, the European Commission proposes a European framework for a pathway back to work, with a comprehensive assessment between 12 and 18 months of unemployment, a single contact person for all aspects of life and a contractual back-to-work agreement.

Social Agenda n°42 presents this proposal from several angles. It has similarities with the Youth Guarantee which, two years after its launch, has created focus and momentum. This issue of Social Agenda also explains the on-going ESF simplification revolution and how the European year for development 2015 relates to employment, social affairs and inclusion.