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Ahead of this year’s State of the European Union (SOTEU), we outlined 5 solutions that President von der Leyen must adopt to build a more just, equal and inclusive Europe.

While the President’s speech included some major announcements on combatting the energy crisis, a 2023 European Year of Skills and a new initiative focusing on mental health, there were many missed opportunities to make bigger commitments to building a decent life for all Europeans.

So how did this SOTEU measure up to our calls to champion a social Europe?

1. Strong social safety nets through the European Pillar of Social Rights – Despite the increasing need to protect and empower the most vulnerable in our societies, no mention of the Social Pillar was made in the hour long speech. As the cost-of-living crisis spirals impacting living and working conditions, the implementation of Social Pillar, particularly the principle on income, should have been front and centre.

What now? Social Platform will continue to push for a Framework Directive on Adequate Minimum Income and for full implementation of all the principles of the Social Pillar.

2. A union of equality – The need to ensure dignity and respect for all migrants was an important statement from the President – as she acknowledged that a ‘drive for solidarity is still missing in our migration debate’. While the President referred multiple times to the need for solidarity across Europe, in particular regarding support for Ukraine, the fact that many other groups across Europe are in vulnerable situations and still don’t have full access to their rights was not addressed.

What now? Social Platform, driven by our members, will continue its mission to strive for social justice for all, tackling multiple and intersectional discrimination wherever it manifests.

3. Supporting solidarity with Ukraine – The support for Ukraine and the ongoing commitment from the EU to provide financial assistance was clearly set out by the President. Social Platform advocates for a coordinated, well-managed response which cannot function without civil society organisations on the ground to ensure support makes it to where it matters most. Unfortunately, there was no direct mention in SOTEU of a Solidarity Strategy, nor civil society.

What now? Social Platform will champion the role of civil society, showcasing good examples of how we are responding to the needs of those who have fled the war and those still in Ukraine.

4. Empowering social services – the crucial work of civil society, not-for-profit social service providers and social economy actors in providing services that millions of people depend on, was neglected in the speech. In order to implement many of the new initiatives announced in the SOTEU, the EU will need stronger social services.

What now? Social Platform advocates for a Strategy on Social Services to develop a resilient ecosystem, which will enable everyone to lead dignified lives and reach their full potential.

5. An EU with and for its people – President von der Leyen committed in her speech to continue the legacy of the Conference on the Future of Europe, making Citizens’ Panels “a regular feature of democratic life”. The President also called for enshrining solidarity between generations in the Treaties, as well as joining the European Parliament’s call for a European Convention.

What’s next? Social Platform will continue advocating for structured civil dialogue.

Did you miss our live blog? Look back over some of the real-time reactions from Social Platform, our members and our Social Pillar Champions.