Policy brief – Eastern European Social Policy Network

Taking stock of the Bridge Building and Eastern European Social Policy Network initiatives

This policy brief takes stock of the Bridge Building (BB) and Eastern European Social Policy Network (EESPN) initiatives by capturing stakeholder feedback from the BB region.

This policy brief takes stock of the Bridge Building (BB) and Eastern European Social Policy Network (EESPN) initiatives by capturing stakeholder feedback from the focal regions, i.e. the Western Balkan region and the Eastern Partnership countries. Questionnaires and interviews reveal that the BB and EESPN initiatives respond to the needs of the stakeholders and are promising practices for collaborating, sharing good practices and capacity building. Read more

Posting from a candidate country and its implications for the social protection of workers: the case of Serbia

Posting workers as a concept is not straightforward and it is often confused with some forms of emigration. Four situations are related to the concept of posting. Different situations imply different policy responses, though there are common recommendations for all. The clarification of the workers status is the first step in identifying the social protection mechanisms they are entitled to and the appropriate authorities where to address any issues they might have. This policy brief is available in English and in Serbian. Read more on the Policy brief.

The case of North Macedonia: Posted workers – developing patterns and trends

The policy brief describes the main characteristics of the posting of citizens of North Macedonia to EU and non-EU member states, with a main focus on the construction sector.

The policy brief describes the main characteristics of the posting of citizens of North Macedonia to EU and non-EU member states, with a main focus on the construction sector. Although North Macedonia is not yet an EU member state, the country is already experiencing inflows and outflows of posted workers. The practice demonstrates that the regulatory framework represents an enabler of different patterns of posting. The policy brief also provides recommendations on addressing the identified policy gaps. This policy brief is available in English and Macedonian. Read more

Promoting Social Innovation in long-term care

The InCARE project team has derived the key lessons arising from a decade of European experiences – with a focus on doing rather than analysing social innovation.

In support of policy-makers and organizational stakeholders that wish to engage directly in the implementation of social innovation initiatives in LTC, the InCARE project team has derived the key lessons arising from a decade of European experiences – with a focus on doing rather than analysing social innovation. Read more

Monitoring the progress of the Western Balkan countries regarding the European Pillar of Social Rights

In this policy brief we focus on the six 2020 reports covering EPSR indicators in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, & Serbia.

The progress on the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) has not only been monitored in EU countries, but also in Western Balkan countries. Some progress in social indicators has been recorded in the last few years, but welfare and labour market outcomes remain generally weak in the region. In this policy brief we focus on the six 2020 reports covering EPSR indicators in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, & Serbia. Read more

Here, not to stay! The posting of third country nationals to Austria

This Policy Brief describes the trend of the posting of third-country workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina via Slovenia to Austria and its drivers.

This Policy Brief describes the trend of the posting of third-country workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina via Slovenia to Austria and its drivers. It also discusses why workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina agree to be posted via Slovenia to work in Austria, the challenges they face and the impact posting has on the host country. The Brief concludes with recommendations on how the observed problems could be addressed. Read here

Unleashing transformation through partnerships: The lost potential of SDG 17

This Policy Brief analyses how partnership is understood and promoted in European Union regulations and programmes.

This Policy Brief analyses how partnership is understood and promoted in European Union regulations and programmes. The central argument of the brief is that a much deeper understanding of partnership than that presented in the Sustainable Development Goal 17 ‘Partnership for the Goals’ is required to meet the transformational ambition of the UN Agenda 2030 in Europe and beyond. Available here

Posting in the Western Balkans

Four policy briefs have been published for the full transposition and implementation of the Posting of Workers Directive (96/71/EC) of the candidate countries.

In the frame of the Posting of Workers in Eastern Europe (EEPOW) project, four policy briefs have been published on the existing institutional capacities as well as their needs and requirements for the full transposition and implementation of the Posting of Workers Directive (96/71/EC) into the national legislation of the candidate countries, namely Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. In order for the briefs to be accessible to national practitioners and general audiences, each brief is also going to be published in the local languages by our project partners.

Language barriers and the occupational safety & health of posted workers

In this new Policy brief, the authors present language barriers faced by posted workers in nine European Union countries.

In this new Policy brief, the authors present language barriers faced by posted workers in nine European Union countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain) and discuss the implications these may have for their occupational safety and health (OSH). As the fastest-growing form of temporary cross-border labour mobility in the EU, posted workers are faced with language barriers which significantly limit the capacity of posted workers to realise and exercise their employment rights, including health and safety rights. The Brief offers recommendations for policy that could help reduce OSH risks many posted workers are exposed to due to language barriers.

Integrated Case Management for Employment and Social Welfare Users in the Western Balkan economies

This policy brief provides insights into the application of integrated case management by Public Employment Services and Social Services institutions in the Western Balkans.

This policy brief provides insights into the application of integrated case management by Public Employment Services and Social Services institutions in the Western Balkans. The authors describe the status quo of case management and cooperative practices in the region and discuss the potentials and caveats of implementing integrated case management in such contexts. Based on current practices in the individual countries as well as the lessons learned from EU member states that have developed their own ICM models, the development of Integrated Case Management Standards agreed upon jointly among all actors across all countries is recommended. ICM models, however, should take into account local requirements and make best use of available resident potentials.