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Welcome to October’s edition of the Social Compass. In many parts of the EU, we have been experiencing more COVID-19 restrictions alongside darker and colder nights. It is natural for many of us to feel overwhelmed and unsettled amidst all of this uncertainty. Let me begin this editorial with a gentle request to take things easy; to slow down; to be kinder to yourself and to shake things up where necessary.

Here at Social Platform, we’ve been using the past few months to shake up our strategy for 2021 to 2024. We’re excited to be moving forward and entering into fruitful discussions with our Members. As we prepare to launch our progressive agenda for the next three years, I’m reminded of the strength and diversity of our 48 member organisations – all committed to driving forward this collective vision and mission for a better Social EU.

Lying at the core of our strategy is an overarching objective of achieving a Europe for all and with all. We want to utilise our skills, knowledge, and resources, to contribute towards a transformed, sustainable, and socio-economic system that promotes social justice, including a just distribution of wealth, respect for human rights and dignity for all.

This can only be achieved in collaboration with civil society and so we will also channel much of our energy into advocating for a reinforced democratic system, where representative democracy is underpinned by this social and civil dialogue.

The publication of the European Commission’s new Work Programme for 2021 has also given us the opportunity to reflect on where our voice can make the most impact.

We are, of course, pleased to see that the Commission’s work programme has referenced their new Action Plan to implement fully the European Pillar of Social Rights. This is an important step towards ensuring that no one is left behind in Europe’s recovery. Indeed, the Commission’s commitment to introducing a European Child Guarantee, a pact on Migration and Asylum and an EU Disability Rights Strategy, all work towards this collective agenda. Following Ursula von Der Leyen’s State of the Union speech, the work programme has also renewed its commitment to present new strategies for a push towards European democracy.

Yet, without diminishing the potential impact of the Commission’s programme, it would have been encouraging for social affairs to have more prominence, along with a legislative roadmap for key social issues. Further, even though a renewed commitment to European democracy is of course welcomed, there is little reference to how participatory democracy will be mobilised.

Social Platform and our members are known for our bold and ambitious commitment to fighting for social justice, equality, and participatory democracy. As we move towards our new strategy for 2021 to 2024, we will ensure that social affairs and the voices of civil society stay at the forefront of the Commission’s work plan.

Complementing our new strategy, Social Platform’s four individual and two cross-cutting work packages, which we will publish towards the end of this year, will advocate for social justice as a compass guiding all political decisions and social actions in Europe. We will also continue to advocate for a comprehensive approach to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Additionally, we will engage with decision-makers and advocate for civil dialogue – developing new approaches and methodologies to strengthen our influence and advocate for a reinforced democratic system, with civil dialogue at its core.

As we move towards the end of what has been one of the most challenging years in many of our lifetimes, it is so important that we ensure that people finding themselves in the most vulnerable situations in our societies, are championed and included at the forefront of not only our own organisational strategies, but also the operational strategies of our highest institutions.

Let’s make sure we work together. Above all, let’s keep safe, look after ourselves, our families, friends and colleagues.

Piotr Sadowski 
President of Social Platform