News

Bring out the bunting and put on your party hats – this year we are celebrating 25 years of Social Platform!

We’ve come a long way since our formation in 1995. Our network of 19 members has grown to 47 and counting, and thanks to their engagement and expertise we have well and truly earned our place at the EU ‘social’ table. As with any anniversary, our quarter-century gives us pause for thought to reflect on what we have collectively achieved, but most importantly an opportunity to look towards the future and see where we want our network – and social Europe – to be.

With the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in 2017, the EU began writing a new chapter of social Europe. Some improvements to access to social rights have already been made, including on working conditions and work-life balance, and we hope that the new European Commission and Parliament possess the political will to make real and lasting progress on all 20 of the Social Pillar’s principles. To do so, the meaningful involvement of social civil society will be key, including in the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe.

Throughout 2020, we will be marking our anniversary with regular articles in the ‘Social Compass’ newsletter authored by our members and external partners to get their take on the evolution of the EU’s social landscape, and what lies ahead. Our General Assembly meeting on 5 May will include a political panel on ‘Engaging civil society for strong participatory democracy in Europe’, bringing together representatives of EU institutions and civil society organisations, followed by a celebratory reception. The General Assembly will also be the occasion when members adopt our updated strategic documents, setting out Social Platform’s priorities for the next five years.

Let the celebrations begin!

Best wishes,

Piotr Sadowski, President of Social Platform