ENSIE recently hosted an online capacity-building session for its members on the renewed European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), providing an opportunity to explore the latest developments, ENSIE’s perspective and the broader debate on the future of Social Europe.
The European Pillar of Social Rights provides a framework of 20 principles covering areas such as equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, social protection and inclusion. Against the backdrop of the renewed EPSR, the session offered ENSIE members a space to reflect on what these developments mean for Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) and the people they support.
ENSIE was pleased to welcome Dr Viola Shahini, researcher at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), who shared insights from her research on the implementation of social rights across EU countries.
A central message of her contribution concerned the gap that can emerge between the recognition of social rights at European level and their implementation in practice. Effective implementation and enforcement are essential to ensure that these rights do not remain only “on paper”, but lead to tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The discussion also explored the opportunities and remaining gaps in the renewed EPSR, including the role of the social economy in delivering its objectives.
For ENSIE, stronger recognition of WISEs and the wider social economy is essential. As actors rooted in local communities, WISEs contribute directly to the Pillar’s ambitions by creating inclusive employment pathways, providing quality jobs and supporting people who face barriers to accessing and remaining in the labour market.
Capacity-building activities such as this session allow ENSIE members to strengthen their understanding of evolving EU policy frameworks, exchange experiences and connect developments at European level with the realities faced by WISEs across Europe.
ENSIE warmly thanks Dr Viola Shahini for sharing her expertise and insights, as well as all ENSIE members who joined the session and contributed to the discussion.
Want to explore ENSIE’s position in more detail? Read ENSIE’s reaction to the renewed European Pillar of Social Rights.