2017, social Europe is coming for you!

New year, new beginnings – no other year in Social Platform’s history has this expression been more apt.

As the door has well and firmly shut on 2016, we welcome 2017 with fresh faces, open arms, and a brand new four-year Strategic Plan and one-year Work Programme.

From 2017-2020 our policy, advocacy and communications work will be divided into three main areas:

1. Leaving no one behind – Prioritising people in vulnerable situations
2. Reducing inequalities through a just economy
3. Building bridges – Engaging with EU civil society, linking to the grassroots level

These three strategic actions are designed to build upon the expertise of our 48 members who cover a whole range of important issues in the social sector, and capitalise on where we can have the greatest impact.

At times it has felt like the path towards a strong social Europe has felt like…well, like this:

via GIPHY

Now, as the largest civil society alliance fighting for social justice in the EU, we are optimistic and excited about the opportunities ahead of us for bringing into reality a social Europe that works for its people and finally closes the chasm between our decision-makers and people living in (and at risk of) vulnerable situations.

Specifically, here’s what lies ahead for us in the next 12 months:

Leaving no one behind – Prioritising people in vulnerable situations

  • Equality in practice – Leading by example
  • Equal access to services and benefits
  • Social and economic inclusion of migrants and ethnic and religious minorities

We believe that change begins at home. For this reason we will begin to look at civil society – including ourselves – and obstacles that exist for promoting diversity and equality.

Building on our work in previous years, such as on EU funds, we will be advocating for investment in services to improve their quality, availability and accessibility for all – not just those who live in affluent areas or can afford to pay. A new dimension of this work for us will be digital inclusion, to ensure that digital advances in the provision of services don’t result in some people not being able to access certain services. We’ll also continue to promote adequate income support, which has long been one of our social standards.

As well as embarking on an intensive mapping exercise of stakeholders working on the inclusion of migrants and ethnic and religious minorities, we will collect examples of successful inclusion practices and present them at an event towards the end of the year.

Reducing inequalities through a just economy

  • Promoting the social economy and social enterprises
  • Quality employment
  • Tax justice

Conducting business in a way that has a positive impact on people and the environment as well as the economy is possible; this is why we will be highlighting the added-value of the social economy and social enterprises through in-depth research and by reaching out to businesses, universities and other stakeholders that wish to work together to promote these forward-thinking models. We will also be continuing our work on quality employment and developing our position on tax justice, calling out unfair tax practices that benefit the rich at the expense of society as a whole.

Building bridges – Engaging with EU civil society, linking to the grassroots level

  • Engaging with EU civil society
  • Countering populism and engaging people in the European project

There is a saying that “a good workman is only as good as his tools”. This is why it’s important to go back to our roots and make it easier for our members to participate in the work of Social Platform as much as possible. Whether it be a lunch debate in one of our Steering Group meetings or taking the floor at a European Parliament hearing, our credibility will come from the fact that our passion and positions are first and foremost member-led. In doing so we hope to improve our links with national and grassroots level organisations so that we are truly representative of the needs of people on the ground. As a strong network of European members, we will also invest in developing our relationships with key EU and national stakeholders and networks, and build new ones wherever we can.

Looking back on the trials and tribulations of 2016, it’s little wonder that “post-truth” was chosen as the Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year. The rapid spread of populism, xenophobia and extremist views has been facilitated  by social media and the growth of fake news sites. To begin to confront this, we will monitor populist trends that threaten our values and devise fact-based arguments. The journey won’t be an easy one, but a post-post-truth era is possible!

Recapping our Work Programme in this blog serves to remind me what a big task lies ahead of us – but it is certainly one worth undertaking. So to all pro-European, progressive defenders of social rights: we’re counting on your support to make 2017 THE year for social Europe!