European Semester

In order to support countries in achieving the objectives and the targets planned in the Europe 2020 Strategy, the European Commission put in place a process of economic reforms and surveillance. This process, called European Semester, it’s an annual cycle during which the European Commission and members states exchange information and plan economic and social reforms including in the fields of employment, education and poverty reduction.

The European Semester process is too complex and seemingly it does not have explicit connections to people’s every day concerns. In reality, it affects directly our lives since it includes social reforms in the field of social protection (pensions, disability allowances, support services, long-term care), employment and education policies. It is important that the right reforms are identified by the European and national authorities.

EDF follows the European Semester cycle very closely. It advocates for a European Governance that is more socially oriented investing in people and protecting EU citizens’ rights from austerity measures.

EDF is member of the European Semester Alliance. A partnership to advocate for a social dimension of the different phases of the European Semester.

Related Documents

More information

European Commission webpage on the European Semester

 

 

Europe 2020 Strategy

In 2010, the EU adopted a ten years economic strategy for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, called Europe 2020 strategy. The Strategy covers the period 2010-2020. The Europe 2020 sets five ambitious targets to be achieved by 2020:

  1. Employment:75% of the 20-64 year-olds to be employed.
  2. Research & Development: 3% of the EU’s GDP to be invested in R&D.
  3. Climate change and energy sustainability: greenhouse gas emissions 20% (or even 30%, if the conditions are right) lower than 1990 20% of energy from renewables 20% increase in energy efficiency.
  4. Education: Reducing the rates of early school leaving below 10% at least 40% of 30-34–year-olds completing third level education.
  5. Fighting poverty and social exclusion: at least 20 million fewer people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

In 2014, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy.

More information