Call: Social policy innovations supporting reforms in social services

The Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme is a financing instrument at EU level to promote a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions.

Objectives:

• Strengthen ownership of EU objectives and coordination of action at EU and national level in the areas of employment, social affairs and inclusion
• Support the development of adequate social protection systems and labour market policies
• Modernise EU legislation and ensure its effective application
• Promote geographical mobility and boost employment opportunities by developing an open labour market
• Increase the availability and accessibility of microfinance for vulnerable groups and micro-enterprises, and increase access to finance for social enterprises

In pursuing these objectives, EaSI will:

• pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, such as young people
• promote equality between women and men
• combat discriminations
• promote a high level of quality and sustainable employment
• guarantee adequate and decent social protection
• combat long-term unemployment
• fight against poverty and social exclusion

The PROGRESS axis of EaSI helps the EU and its countries to improve policies in three thematic sections:

• employment, in particular to fight youth unemployment
• social protection, social inclusion and the reduction and prevention of poverty
• working conditions

Objectives:

• Develop and disseminate high-quality comparative analytical knowledge
• Facilitate effective and inclusive information-sharing, mutual learning and dialogue
• Provide financial support to test social and labour market policy innovations
• Provide organisations with financial support to increase their capacity to develop, promote and support the implementation of EU instruments and policies

Link to programme's website here.