FEPS Newsletter 9 December 2025 – 🇪🇺 A call to Europe to deliver wellbeing for all

People must be at the heart of our policies- If you have problems displaying this […]

09/12/2025
People must be at the heart of our policies-

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Europe's wellbeing

With the multiple challenges we face today, it is important to have one clear goal in mind. For our recent “Call to Europe” conference in Copenhagen, we decided to set it on “Wellbeing for all”. From human security to peace, from young workers’ rights to the green and digital transition, we put people at the heart of our policies. Catch up with what was discussed in Denmark!

Call to Europe Denmark 2025

29 NOV – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Call to Europe Denmark 2025

Wellbeing for all 

By FEPS, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nordic Countries and with the support of Socialdemokratiet and the S&D Group 

 

FEPS was in Denmark for its flagship conference Call to Europe, looking at ensuring the EU delivers wellbeing for all.

 

Held in the context of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this edition included panels on:

✊ Promoting wellbeing for young workers

🌎 Advancing human security in a changing geopolitical context

♻️ Ensuring a green transition for all in Europe

 

📺 Watch the full recording of the conference!

28 NOV – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Meetings on Europe’s defence and digital future

By FEPS, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nordic Countries and with the support of Socialdemokratiet and the S&D Group 

 

FEPS visited the Danish Parliament for a series of expert meetings, opened with a special welcome from Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen. Together with leading experts, we explored the future of EU defence and the prospects for a progressive digital Europe.

Meetings on Europe's defence and digital future
Policy brief on defence and digital

We also discussed, in presence of the authors, the three new policy brief on defence and digital:

THE PROGRESSIVE POST MAGAZINE

Does peace still have a chance?

 

From the war in Ukraine to the devastation of Gaza since 2023, the words ‘war’ and ‘peace’ dominate the headlines. But what kind of peace can be built in the future? 

 

Among this issue’s highlights, we debate war and defence, underlining the urgent necessity of peace. We look at the European Commission’s budget proposal, particularly the fate of the cohesion funds, and at the EU’s international partnerships and ask whether the EU can pursue its strategic interests while simultaneously promoting its partners’ genuine development. Finally, we address COP30 and the issue of fossil fuels, which was intentionally ignored during the negotiations held in Brazil.

Does peace still have a chance?
Housing

Housing is a fundamental right under threat, with rents and prices outpacing incomes across Europe. 8.8% of households in Europe spend over 40% of their income on housing, and nearly 900,000 people are homeless.

 

With one week to go before the European Commission releases its highly anticipated housing package, we must maintain the pressure for a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable approach to tackle the housing crisis.

Tackling the housing crisis in Europe

9 DEC – EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Tackling the housing crisis in Europe

Progressive ideas for affordable and sustainable housing policies 

By FEPS, in collaboration with Eteron, the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation and the Progres Institute

 

We were in the European Parliament to present our new policy brief “Tackling the housing crisis in Europe“, which outlines progressive ideas for affordable and sustainable housing policies, to members of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU, policymakers, civil society representatives and experts.

The policy brief argues that the housing crisis must be tackled on three critical fronts:

  • Addressing the chronic shortage of public and affordable housing
  • Reducing energy poverty as part of the “green transition”
  • Regulating short-term rentals and touristification
 

⏱️ Short on time? All recommendations have been synthesised into a handbook and country fact sheets.

Tackling the housing crisis in Europe
Events

Past events

See all past events

Silver Rose Awards 2025

3 DEC – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Silver Rose Awards 2025

An event by SOLIDAR with the support of FEPS, S&D Group, PES, PES Women, YES and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

 

FEPS joined the Silver Rose Awards 2025 in celebrating solidarity and social justice.

 

Congratulations to this year’s winner! 

  • Just Transition Award: La Via Campesina
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Agnes Jongerius

In the face of a challenging political context with shifting priorities, it is more important than ever to highlight people who work tirelessly to keep Just Transition and social justice on the agenda.

News
Is a bad COP outcome better than no outcome at all?
 

Friends of the Western Balkans’ joint statement

 

Following the meeting in Belgrade, the Friends of the Western Balkans have issued a joint statement addressing:

 

🇷🇸 The situation in Serbia and in support of the students’ protests

🇪🇺 The future of enlargement

📉The implications for enlargement of the European Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework

It is high time that the  goal is set on “Quality”
 

It is high time that the

goal is set on “Quality”

FEPS commentary on the

Quality Jobs Roadmap

 

The European Commission has just published its Quality Jobs Roadmap. Not any job is a good job and progressives have always fought for dignity, respect, and empowerment for workers.

 

Read the commentary from László Andor, FEPS Secretary General and François Balate, Policy Analyst on Social.

Photo credits: European Union, 2025

Is a bad COP outcome better than no outcome at all?
 

Is a bad COP outcome better than no outcome at all?

FEPS Commentary on COP30

 

Providing an answer is difficult, when the stakes are as high and diverse as they were at COP30 in Belém. 

 

Read key takeaways in this commentary written by Chloé Deffet, Policy Analyst on Climate and László Andor, FEPS Secretary General.

Photo credit: © UN Climate Change – Zô Guimarães

Brussels, my love? Ursula von der Leyen cracks the whip on gender parity
 

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues at the T20 South Africa Summit in Johannesburg

 

In her speech at the T20 South Africa Summit, FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues addressed issues such as the role of regional organisations, like the EU, in strengthening global governance and enhancing the G20 as a platform for fostering dialogue, bridging divides, and coordinating collective action on global challenges.

Photo credit: Mktouchmedia

Progressive Post

DOSSIER

COP30: looking past the elephant in the room 

 

COP30 closed in Belém with a decision that failed to address the phase-out of fossil fuels, even though they are the main culprit of the climate crisis.

COP30: looking past the elephant in the room

Photo credits: European Union, 2025

Read the new dossier of the Progressive Post with articles on:

📚 Read more.

 

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