Today the European Commission has published the long-awaited new Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights. Regrettably, it falls short of the ambition needed to strengthen social rights across Europe.
The first Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights was adopted in 2021, setting common targets to improve employment and skills levels and reduce poverty by 2030.
This second Social Pillar Action Plan was much anticipated and is pivotal, as it lays out how the EU Commission plans to deliver on the Pillar of Social Rights and reach – or ideally exceed – its headline 2030 social targets. As the EU continues to seriously fall behind on its goal to tackle poverty and social exclusion, today was a significant opportunity to put forward bold policy proposals and new initiatives across the Pillar’s 20 principles to drive meaningful progress. Social Platform and our members have consistently demanded a new Action Plan that will have real impact in advancing social progress and improving people’s lives.
While we welcome the EU Commission’s continued commitment to the Social Pillar, particularly the initiatives announced in the recent Social Package of 6 May 2026, the Action Plan has failed to meet expectations.
Social Platform is disappointed to see that behind the ambitious language, the Action Plan is not backed up by the legally binding initiatives needed to address today’s challenges. We are, however, pleased that the Action Plan reaffirms the importance of upcoming initiatives such as the Quality Job Act, the European Care Deal, and the Fair Mobility Package.
The review of the 2021 Action Plan shows progress in some areas but also reveals persistent implementation gaps in achieving the EU’s goals, acknowledging that ‘sustained commitment’ and ‘stronger implementation efforts’ at all levels’ will be crucial going forward.
Despite the clear need to step up efforts in the implementation of the Social Pillar, the European Commission has failed to reflect this in its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework. One of the main funding instruments, the European Social Fund (ESF+) has lost its dedicated budget line, and the money earmarked for social objectives is below the current total ESF+ allocation. The negotiations for the budget are the time to make sure that we do not lose this important instrument for implementing the European pillar of Social rights.
Laura de Bonfils, Social Platform Secretary General said:
“At a time when the EU is falling behind on its own social commitments, this Action Plan should have raised the bar. Instead, it exclusively repackages or, at best, complements existing initiatives when people across Europe need bold action to make social rights a reality. Building a more social, inclusive and resilient Europe requires political commitment, not empty ambition.”
Adopted in 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights is the compass that guides the EU’s advancements towards access to social rights for all. As Social Platform pledged at the 2017 Porto Summit launching the Pillar, our network stands ready to support the EU Commission in fulfilling that promise, and will continue our work to ensure all Social Pillar principles become a reality for everyone.
