Coronavirus: European Commission calls for action in protecting seasonal workers

Each year, hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers help to underpin hugely important sectors of the EU's economy, such as food and agriculture.

European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience

It is time to make lifelong learning a reality all across Europe and unlock a skills revolution, leaving nobody behind.

ESF Tackling the Coronavirus Health Crisis in Poland

The European Social Fund is supporting the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region in Poland during a health crisis caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Fair minimum wages are part of the recovery

The Commission launches the second-stage consultation of social partners on how to ensure fair minimum wages for all workers in the EU as recent events have further increased the need for EU action.

Employment rate of people aged 20 to 64 in the EU reached a peak at 73.1% in 2019

In 2019, the year before COVID-19 containment measures were widely introduced by EU Member States, the employment rate of people aged 20 to 64 in the European Union stood at 73.1%.

EU reports on key socio-economic challenges for member countries

Starting with good news, poverty continues to decline on the back of good labour market conditions, but important pockets of vulnerability remain.

Passionate about Social Rights?

The EU supports your rights in its European Pillar of Social Rights.

Seville, Spain: EU supports social housing project

Promoting social cohesion is among the EU bank's key objectives. For over 60 years, the European Investment Bank has been working to promote inclusive growth and improve people's quality of life.

Competitiveness gives sustainability a boost in Portugal

COMPETE 2020 is the largest programme in Portugal for 2014-2020, involving three EU funds. What are the most significant results these competitiveness-supporting instruments have achieved in the country’s economic and social structure?

European Social Fund: making a real difference in people's lives

The European Social Fund is funding tens of thousands of projects across the EU countries that have made a positive impact on lives of people.

What's on the European Commission's agenda this year?

The focus for 2020 is kick-starting the transition to a fair, climate-neutral and digital Europe.

Lowest unemployment rate in the EU since 2000

According to Eurostat, the unemployment rate in the 28 EU countries was 6.2% in December 2019, continuing the steady decline in the previous months.

The Just Transition Mechanism

The Just Transition Mechanism is a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no one behind.

First reflections on building a strong social Europe for just transitions

It is time for action on social rights.

Let's tackle food waste at home

In the EU, an estimated 20% of the total food produced is lost or wasted, while 43 million people cannot afford a quality meal every second day.

How the EU is clamping down on unfair business practices

“A cross-border business like ours needs protection against unfair pricing at the European level.” - Antonio Marco Riquelme

European Pillar of Social Rights

From helping the elderly in Slovenia to re-training factory workers in Sweden, find out how the European Commission is supporting the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights in these stories.

New Horizon 2020 energy efficiency projects are fighting energy poverty

Under the 2018 call of Horizon 2020 Energy Efficiency, around 6 million Euros were granted to 3 innovative projects focusing on advising consumers on low-cost energy efficiency solutions, implementing practical sustainable energy measures and developing innovative energy poverty schemes across Europe.

Good news for Croatian start-ups with environmental and social impact

The Juncker Plan will invest in startups operating in financial inclusion, agriculture and farming, circular economy, education and healthcare sectors.

Children are our future. What about their rights?

The European Pillar of Social Rights protects the rights of children to affordable early childhood education, good quality care, and protection from poverty.