Report from the Networking Meeting and Conference on the Social Dimension of the Latvian EU Presidency December 8-9 2014 | Riga, Latvia

December 8-9 2014 | Riga, Latvia

Download the full report here.

KEY MESSAGES

  • Social investment is an economic priority. The EU must stop viewing social issues as a cost, but rather see them as an investment, with long-term economic benefits. The EU cannot be truly competitive – one of the Latvian Presidency’s priorities – without social investment.
  • Use EU funds to achieve the aims of the Europe 2020 Strategy. The EU is still failing to meet the targets of the Strategy on poverty and social inclusion, employment and education. Funds including the European Energy Efficiency Fund can also be applied to help reach these goals.
  • All services across the EU should comply with the principle of minimum requirement: affordability, accessibility, quality, universality, availability and accountability.
  • Financial support to local and national NGOs is vital for EU involvement. Local and national NGOs have expertise that would contribute to European solutions; financial contributions from the EU to ensure membership of European umbrella organisations would enable participation in this process.

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