The launch event took place on 7 February 2023 in Brussels.

The High-Level Group on the future of social protection and of the welfare state in the EU was initiated at the end of 2021 by the Commission as announced in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan.

The main task of the High-Level Group was in particular to analyse the expected impacts of megatrends such as demographic changes, resulting in a shrinking workforce and an ageing population, transformations on the labour market and the digital and green transitions, as well as the emergence of new risks on the social protection and on the welfare systems. 

The members of the group furthermore analysed the implications of these impacts for the design and scope of social protection systems and the financing of social protection and developed key strategic recommendations to both national and EU levels for the future of social protection.

In its final report, the High-Level Group developed a vision on how to reinforce social protection systems and the welfare state considering ongoing and new challenges, in a medium to long-term (looking ahead to 2030).

The launch event will bring together around 300 policymakers, social partners, key stakeholders and high-level experts onsite and online and will enable a discussion about the implications and visions of the report.

Programme

The aim of the event is to foster a debate about challenges and opportunities of the welfare states between all participants. The event will begin with the presentation of the report on the future of social protection and of the welfare state in the EU, after which a high-level debate on main findings with key stakeholders will follow.

In the afternoon, three parallel sessions will discuss topics such as

• participation to social protection for all
• quality jobs and enabling working environments throughout the life cycle
• social services

The event will end with a forward-looking plenary session discussing the challenges and opportunities of the near future.

Watch the recording

You did not have the chance to attend the meeting? Watch the recording.