Search

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

For a Commission that works for everyone – If you have problems displaying this email, […]
All Topics
Search topic

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

If you have problems displaying this email, follow this link
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.

Was this email forwarded to you?

Copyright © 2024 FEPS Europe, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you participated in one of FEPS’ events and/or have registered for FEPS’ newsletter.

If you wish not to receive FEPS’ communications anymore, please click here: unsubscribe now
 

Foundation for European Progressive Studies
Avenue des Arts, 46 – 1000 Bruxelles

+32 223 46 900 – info@feps-europe.eu
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
05/03/2026
Nicolas SCHMIT

Poverty is not a fatality

In 2024, more than 93 million Europeans, representing 21 per cent of the EU-population have […]
05/03/2026
Marit MAIJ

Poverty is the result of political choices

On 12 February, the European Parliament voted on the report of the parliament’s committee on […]
Find all related Magazine
Magazine
  • cover book

    # Issue 29 Progressive Post

# Issue 29

From the war in Ukraine to the devastation of Gaza since 2023, the words ‘war’ […]
COP EU budget EU Defence Global peace
  • cover book

    # Issue 28 Progressive Post

# Issue 28

European Social Democracy at historical crossroads
BRICS Education LGBTIQ+ Social Democracy
  • cover book

    #Issue 27 Progressive Post

#Issue 27

The EU in uncharted waters
Find all related publications
Publications
See all
03/03/2026
Policy Brief

Digital sovereignty and a new multilateralism for the AI era

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming not only economies but the very nature of global power, […]
03/03/2026
Policy Study

Progressive pathways for a resilient (re)construction of Ukraine: Towards a new social contract

This policy study places labour at the centre of reconstruction planning for Ukraine as the […]
03/03/2026
Policy Brief

European sovereignty and the social dimension

Reasserting Europe’s social-democratic model in turbulent times
29/01/2026
Book

Progressive Yearbook 2026

In an eerie manner, 2025 resembled the ‘time of monsters’, which, according to the great […]
Find all related news
News
See all
05/03/2026

FFPPVC commentary on the new EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030

Commentary by the Feminist Foreign Policy Progressive Voices Collective (FFPPVC)
03/03/2026

Wag the dog?

FEPS commentary on the US-Israel attack on Iran
03/03/2026

Closing ceremony of the Progressive Ukraine programme

The graduation ceremony completed the programme which was part of the Open Progressive University (OPU).
29/01/2026

Maria João Rodrigues departs from FEPS Presidency, transitions to Nicolas Schmit

After completing eight years in the role, Maria Joâo Rodrigues has departed the role of […]
Find all related in the media
In the media
See all

Africa and Europe Must Rethink Clean Energy Partnership After COP30 Setback

by News Ghana 27/02/2026
Read this article from News Ghana on the highlights of FEPS' event "Governing the global just transition", where diverse stakeholders discussed the EU's role in supporting a just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in Africa

EUfória podcast Andor Lászlóval: Mire képes az EU saját erejéből és mennyire van kiszolgáltatva a világnak?

by EUrologus 26/02/2026
Listen to the EUfória podcast with László Andor, Secretary General of FEPS, on what the EU can achieve on its own, how to tackle its competitiveness challenge and how the Hungarian government’s stance shapes the EU’s image.

Can the EU ever become a superpower?

by Euronews 20/02/2026
In this episode of the podcast Brussels, My Love, FEPS President Nicolas Schmit discusses the informal meeting of the Antwerp European Industrial Summit and the Munich Security Council.

España los forma, Europa los contrata: así es el mapa de la nueva fuga de cerebros

by El Confidencial 10/02/2026
Spain trains them, Europe hires them: the map of the new brain drain: László Andor, FEPS Secretary-General, discusses the 'brain drain' as a result of the EU’s single market and highlights the need for a fairer mobility and retention strategy across the EU.