The European Commission is setting up a High Level expert group on the future of social protection and of the welfare state in the EU. It will study the future of the welfare state, its financing and interconnections with the changing world of work and will present a report and recommendations by the end of 2022.

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The High level group will be composed of up to 12 members, all appointed in a personal capacity. They will be selected through an open call for applications which is open until 17 September 2021.

The main aim of the High-level expert group is to reflect on how to make social protection systems and the welfare state fit for the future, particularly in light of trends such as:

• the demographic changes resulting in a shrinking workforce and an ageing population;
•  transformations on the labour market accompanying the digital and green transitions, including the increase in non-standard forms of work;
• globalisation and the emergence of new risks.