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FEPS Newsletter 1 Oct 2024 – 🇪🇺 Forging the new EU agenda

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01/10/2024
For a Commission that works for everyone –

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Forging the new EU agenda - Progressive Economic Policy Conference

How can we shape the future of the new EU agenda with progressive policies? This was the question that leading progressive forces reflected upon at the Progressive Economic Policy Conference – Forging the new EU agenda, convened by FEPS and FES, in collaboration with ETUC and the S&D Group.

 

How can we ensure that the new European Commission keeps a solid focus on social rights, equality, jobs, and care? It’s certainly about having the right people in key positions and designing policies that work for everyone in Europe. 

 

Find here a few of the highlights of this high-level conference!
 
Anchoring equality in the new European agenda

Anchoring Equality in the new European Agenda, with Commissioner Dalli
 

In the last legislature, a lot has been done to promote gender-parity, anti-discrimination and care, but achievements are endangered by sidelining equality in the upcoming Commission. A dedicated Commission portfolio is essential to prevent backsliding and to put into practice the legislation passed in this past mandate.
 

These are some of the messages that resonated louder among the participants at the event with Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli.

“Despite significant progress, we remain far from having achieved equality. It is important to continue building a #UnionOfEquality until we reach this goal,” stated Dalli during her speech. 
 

Dalli also discussed her work on the EU Care Strategy and combating gender-based violence across Europe, two core priorities for FEPS.
 

🎥 Video extracts of this event will be available soon.

Supporting workers in the transitions and ensuring quality jobs
 

The disappearance of Social Rights and Employment in the new Commissioner-designate title is a worrying wake-up call – we must continue to work on implementing the Social Pillar to protect social rights in the new EU mandate!
 

ETUC Secretary General Esther Lynch and S&D MEP Gabriele Bischoff urged the EU institutions to deliver on #QualityJobs and improve working and living conditions, emphasising that Europe is currently facing a social justice emergency, with many fearing for their economic and employment future. 
 

🎥 Video extracts of this event are available.
Supporting workers in the transitions and ensuring quality jobs
Forging the new EU agenda - Progressive Economic Policy Conference

Forging the new EU agenda

Progressive Economic Policy Conference
 

This high-level conference centred on key topics for the new legislature, identifying policies and strategies that progressive forces can jointly champion on:

  • Governance and tools for the social pillar
  • Digital public infrastructure
  • Global sustainable supply chains
  • Trade and competitiveness
  • European investment capacity
  • Industrial policy, clean-tech, and territorial cohesion.

The six expert roundtables showcased contributions from an impressive array of speakers, including representatives from progressive governments, Members of the European Parliament, leading scientists and academics, European public servants, trade union leaders, and civil society.
 

📕On this occasion, we also launch the policy study ‘How to ensure a just transition in times of industrial transformation‘.

VIDEO CAMPAIGN

Your Future is Social – A Pillar for Our Rights

A project by FEPS in collaboration with Social Platform, Solidar, AK Europa and European Policy Centre
 
Your Future is Social – A Pillar for Our Rights

The future of the European social agenda is in danger. We must safeguard the role of the European Pillar of Social Rights, as a compass and counter-crisis narrative for our Union.
The Social Pillar and the future of the EU Social Agenda

We are launching a series of short videos to remind us why Social Rights must remain a priority on the EU agenda and to highlight some of the policies the Union should advance.
 

The Social Pillar implementation is central to ensuring that  no one is left behind in the face of evolving labour markets and environmental challenges. 
 

🎥 Check out the first video of the series featuring László Andor, FEPS Secretary General!

📕 Read the policy study ‘The Social Pillar and the future of the EU Social Agenda‘.
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
Computer in command
 

📅  16 OCTOBER

📍  EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

🖥️  HYBRID

Computer in Command

Do the consequences of Algorithmic Management for workers require EU policy action?
 

Join us online or in person for an engaging debate on the impact of algorithmic management on workers. Speakers will include Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, MEP Brando Benefei, Lucie Studničná, President of the EESC Workers’ Group, and Isabelle Schömann, Deputy General Secretary of the ETUC. 

 

We will present key findings from the research ‘Computer in Command’. Register here. 
>
Summit of the Future

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

Eastern Germany votes

Far-right gains and European implications

With Sabrina Repp and Matteo Dressler
 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube
Listen to the podcast 'Eastern Germany Votes: Far-Right Gains and European Implications with Sabrina Repp'

The success of Austria’s Freedom Party in the recent Austrian General Elections demonstrates the need to understand why people are increasingly voting for the far right. In this last episode of FEPS Talks and following the success of the far right in the Eastern Germany elections, Sabrina Repp, the youngest S&D MEP in the new mandate, discusses the role of young voters, the rise of radical right parties, and how Social Democrats can better connect with younger generations.
News
Notice of vacancy – Policy Analyst on Climate and Environment

Photo credit: Shutterstock/Aa Amie
 

Vacancy notice

Apply for our Policy Analyst position!
 

We are hiring! Are you passionate about shaping EU policy to align with social justice goals? Do you want to influence the EU’s approach to climate and environmental challenges?
 

Join our team in Brussels as a Policy Analyst on Climate and Environment. Apply before 25 October!
Enhancing gender equality to counter the backlash

Photo credit: Shutterstock/christinarosepix
 

Enhancing gender equality

to counter the backlash
 

Read this article from Social Europe by Lina Gálvez Muñoz, FEPS Vice-President and Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, where she emphasises that enhancing gender equality is crucial to countering the rising democratic backlash.
 

We need a robust agenda for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. The time is now.
 

On a related note, sign and share Agnès Hubert’s open letter urging the return of gender equality at the heart of EU decision-making.

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Ue, la competitività non è nulla senza i diritti sociali

by La Repubblica 06/05/2026
"In the EU, competitiveness is nothing without social rights" In this article published in La Repubblica, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer and that only social sovereignty will make it stronger

Une révolution civique, pas encore une révolution sociale

by Fondation Jean-Jaurès 06/05/2026
“A civic revolution, not yet a social revolution” Interview with László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, published by Fondation Jean-Jaurès (FR), analysing the electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán, the emergence of a broad opposition movement in Hungary, and the prospects for democratic renewal, EU relations and social change following what he describes as a “civic revolution” that has yet to deliver a social transformation.

Anna Diamantopoúlou, Nicolas Schmit und László Andor über eine Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, die ohne soziale Rechte wertlos ist

by Tageblatt 06/05/2026
"Competitiveness is nothing without social rights" In this article published in Tageblatt, Former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen), and Anna Diamantopoulou (FEPS Bureau member) warn EU leaders that deregulation is a path to economic decline. They argue that Europe’s true strength lies not in cutting rules, but in achieving social sovereignty

Jön a pénz! Magyar Péter beváltja az ígéretét?

by KlikkTV 04/05/2026
“Money is coming! Will Péter Magyar deliver on his promise?” Video Interview published on KlikkTV (HU), featuring László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, discussing EU funds to Hungary, their political conditionality, and the importance of fair distribution, rule of law and social investment within the European Union.