On 25 March 2025, Social Platform hosted an event to discuss the future of the European Social Agenda. We focused on key priorities for the coming years: working conditions, social protection, and accessible services — all within the framework of the new Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights.
The event gathered high level stakeholders, including Members of the European Parliament, representatives from the European Commission, and members of Social Platform to discuss the future of the European Social agenda, and their priorities on working conditions, social protection, and accessible services within the framework of the new Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Hugh Frazer, Professor in Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University, moderated the discussion and Laura de Bonfils, Secretary General of Social Platform welcomed attendees with a call to action, highlighting “2025 marks 30 years of Social Platform, but there’s still much to do to keep social rights high on the agenda.”
Laura de Bonfils called for an ambitious EPSR action plan containing proposals for binding legislation, warning that “welfare states are eroding, leading to poverty, exclusion, and people are answering voting for far right political groups.”
The urgency of Social Europe
The event focused on maintaining European social policies as a priority amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic competitiveness.
The upcoming new European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan is a key opportunity to advance social policies in the European Union.
“The warfare vs. welfare discussion is very dangerous for the EU, we should not go in that direction.” – Maria Ohisalo MEP, EMPL Committee Coordinator for the Green / EFA group
Key Priorities for the Next Action Plan
Social Platform speakers identified the following key priorities for the EPSR Action Plan:
- Access to essential services: Ensuring affordable, high-quality public services for all, including housing and care.
- Fair working conditions & quality jobs: Beyond skills—ensuring stable, quality employment for all.
- Social protection & inclusion: Adequate income and anti-poverty strategies to combat growing inequalities.
“If we fail to deliver for people, there is a significant risk that they will feel unheard on issues like social protection and quality jobs, allowing far-right parties to exploit these insecurities.”– Estelle Ceulemans, MEP, EMPL Committee Coordinator for the S&D
Challenges and policy gaps
- Growing social inequalities: Welfare states are eroding, leading to increased poverty and political extremism.
- Lack of binding legislation: Many social targets remain principles rather than enforceable laws.
- Budget priorities: While billions are allocated for defence, investment in social policies is still insufficient.
“At times of crisis we must think about the core values of the EU. Our social model is what makes the EU more powerful, it must be strengthened.”
– Leïla Chaibi MEP, EMPL Committee Coordinator for The Left
2025: A Pivotal Year for Social Change
- 2025 is a crucial year: The 30th anniversary of Social Platform, a moment to reinforce the social agenda.
- Social policies and the social agenda are key to the EU’s legitimacy: Without them, citizens feel left behind, leading to democratic challenges.
- Action is needed now: The next EPSR Action Plan must be ambitious, well-funded, and legally binding.
“The fight against poverty must be a strong priority.” – Jana Toom MEP, EMPL Committee Coordinator for Renew Europe.
What needs to happen next…
- Push for stronger social legislation: Minimum income directive, AI regulations at work, add social conditionalities in the review of the public procurement directive.
- Secure adequate funding: Protect social investment funds like ESF+ and the Child Guarantee.
- Ensure CSO involvement: Civil society must be consulted to actively shape and monitor the next EPSR Action Plan
