In 2007/8, the EU considered whether to revise the “Integrated macro, micro and employment guidelines” that underpin the Lisbon strategy and process. Despite EAPN and Social NGO lobbying, no changes were made in the Guidelines themselves, but some significant progress was made in the interpretative text in the Employment Guidelines section.
This step forward reflected the effective work carried out together with the European Parliament Rapporteur. ( Anne Van Lancker ( BE).
Our key demands:
- Incorporating social objectives in the Integrated Guidelines to ensure a coherent macro, micro and employment and social model.
- Strengthening the key process at EU and national level, by revitalizing the OMC on social protection and social inclusion,
- Improving active stakeholder involvement particularly from people experiencing poverty and the NGOs that support them,
- Strengthening feeding in and out (ie the mutually reinforcing links) between the National Reform Programmes and the Strategic Reports on social protection and social inclusion, but also to reinforce the demand for Structural Funds to deliver on social inclusion.
- Active debate on broader options – development of a new poverty programme, moving forward on the development of EU horizontal framework on social standards, and increasing expectations of delivery in the EU Year against Poverty.
Interesting links:
- EAPN Lisbon Tool Kit: Engaging in the Lisbon National Reform Programmes 2008-10 (May 2008)
- EAPN’s reaction to the Commission proposals regarding the joint employment report 2008 and the 2008-2010 employment guidelines (February 2008)
- Social Inclusion Scoreboard – EAPN Response to the National Implementation Reports 2007 of the revised Lisbon Strategy (January 2008)
- Growth and Jobs but not Inclusion! – EAPN Response to the 2007 Annual Progress Report (January 2008)
- Strengthening the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy – the EAPN’s response to the Lisbon integrated Guidelines (July 2007)