Since the joint proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) was made by the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament at the Social Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden on the 17th November 2017, those committed to creating a more social Europe have been eagerly waiting for the Action Plan outlining concrete measures for the implementation of the EPSR to be published.

As a European network of 52 members in 32 countries delivering social services to the most vulnerable and advocating for social justice, we have long been determined to see the rights enshrined in the Pillar turned into reality for all people in Europe. Therefore, Eurodiaconia has participated in the 10-month-long consultation process on the Action Plan, and we submitted our written input based on the experience and needs of our members. We firmly believe that for our Union to be truly social, it must be both inclusive and non-discriminatory – combining concrete, targeted actions with universal rights and support.

Finally, on 4 March this year, the European Commission launched the Action Plan which immediately generated heated discussions among experts, policy makers and all interested parties debating whether the proposed actions will be broad and strong enough to make meaningful changes in the lives of the most deprived, excluded and discriminated against in the EU.

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