As part of the social commitment of the Social Summit in Porto, the partners have brought together around three headline targets for 2030, set out in the Commission’s Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights. The participants in the meeting marked the following goals: At least 78% of people between the ages of 20 and 64 must be employed; At least 60% of all adults should take part in training each year; The number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion should be reduced by at least 15 million people, including at least 5 million children.
The summit marks a key moment for social rights in Europe, as the social partners and civil society call on EU Heads of State and Government to support the action plan and its headline targets, as well as to set ambitious national targets that can adequately contribute to achieving European goals.
The EU Social Summit aims to strengthen the commitment of Member States, the European institutions, the social partners and civil society to the implementation of the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen has put the European Pillar of Social Rights at the heart of the Commission’s action to ensure a fair and inclusive recovery.
The social summit and the informal meeting of EU leaders in Porto are taking place on two consecutive days. The Social Summit will take place today, focusing on the best way to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa addressed the CoR’s plenary session last week, stressing the role of cities and regions as key partners in the success of Europe‘s fair, green and digital recovery.
EU leaders met in Porto on May 8th to agree on specific quantitative targets and deadlines for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights, which was announced in 2017 in Gothenburg.
As stated in the Plan presented by the European Commission in March, the new headline targets assume that by 2030 at least 78% of people between the ages of 20 and 64 must be employed, at least 60% each year. of all adults should participate in training, and the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion should be reduced by at least 15 million.
The European Social Fund + will be one of the main instruments for the socio-economic recovery of the European Union from the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund’s budget for the next programming period 2021-2027 will amount to 99.26 billion euros. The European Fund for the Most Deprived will be integrated into the ESF +. It will provide food and basic material assistance to the most vulnerable groups in society.
In their Strategic Agenda 2019-2024, EU leaders have underlined that the Pillar needs to be implemented, turning its principles into action at Union and Member State level with due regard for the respective competences. In its resolutions on a Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions and on the Child Guarantee, the European Parliament also strongly emphasised the need for a strong shared commitment to the materialisation of the Pillar rights and principles. In the debates developed by the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions the relevance of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan was stressed.
ESF + funds will support social innovation, the labor market and the most vulnerable in society. Support will be given to people who have lost their jobs or are counting on reduced incomes. The 2021-2027 Human Resources Development Program will receive nearly BGN 4 billion from the total ESF + budget. Special emphasis will be placed on measures aimed at young people who want to improve their skills or improve their education in order to find a better job.
The projects will stimulate lifelong learning, equal opportunities on the labor market and improve labor mobility. Over the next seven years, training will be provided to develop the skills needed for digital and green transitions.
