Languages

Resize Text

+A A -A

Change Colors

You are here

Press Releases

European Commission to Member States: invest in inclusive labour markets!

The European Commission launched on 17th November their Autumn Package, outlining their economic and social priorities for the year ahead. The package outlines the Commission’s view that additional investment is now needed to achieve an economic recovery which benefits all. EASPD welcomes this positive re-alignment from the European Commission to invest in people and social infrastructure.

Social Inclusion must be a priority in Juncker Investment Plan 2.0

EASPD believes the extension of the European Fund for Strategic Investment must include a stronger focus on supporting and empowering those most disadvantaged in society to thrive. Supporting adequate investment into social infrastructure must be a priority for the European Union to achieve Jean-Claude Juncker’s social triple A for Europe. In a position paper launched today, EASPD outlines three major steps for EFSI to achieve this: capacity building for social actors, better targeting the social sector and earmarking for social projects.

It’s not the disability, but the ability of a person that matters!

For its 20th anniversary, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) organised on Thursday 20th October the conference “Developing together the support services of tomorrow”. Over 250 delegates from across Europe participated in the discussions on how to develop together the support services of tomorrow, enabling the full inclusion in society for persons with disabilities.

Suspension of Structural Funds to Portugal and Spain will hit disadvantaged most

Next Monday 3rd October, the European Parliament will discuss with the European Commission about their proposal to suspend part of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) for Portugal and Spain in 2017, as part of their non-compliance with the European Union’s budgetary rules. In a letter to Members of the European Parliament, EASPD – alongside the Social Platform and Social Services Europe – strongly opposes the suspension of any ESI fund which supports human rights enjoyment, labour market integration and social inclusion.nd social inclusion.

European Pillar of Social Rights must make a difference for people

Following the State of the Union address by Mr Jean-Claude Juncker on 14 September 2016, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) announces its opinion on the European Pillar of Social Rights. During the speech, the President of the European Commission called on the EU to do more for social fairness. In its position paper, EASPD welcomes and supports the Pillar as an important opportunity to implement this in practice, whilst recommending three main changes to make this successful.

Time for the EU Investment Plan to do more for social services

EASPD organised in the European Parliament (EP) the seminar "Implementation of the European Fund for Strategic Investment: unlocking investment for social services" [8-09-2016]. During the Seminar participants discussed how to ensure that EFSI can contribute significantly to social inclusion in Europe, in particular through investment in high-quality social services.

EASPD and its key partners call on the EU to act on social care

EASPD organised a policy seminar on job creation in social services in the European Parliament on the 28th of June. Members of the European Parliament (MEP), representatives from social services, trade unions and organisations representing persons with disabilities called on the European Commission (EC) and the European Parliament (EP) to do more to support high quality social care – through adequately trained professionals - in Europe.

EASPD presents models of good practice on legal capacity and early childhood intervention at United Nations

The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities organised two side events in cooperation with the European Union and the Zero Project during the 9th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). Models of good practice on supported decision making mechanisms and on early childhood fueled the debate on the sustainable development goals and the steps required for the implementation of a human rights approach.

EC must safeguard adequate investment in community-based services in Country Specific Recommendations

The European Commission (EC) recently published its 2016 country-specific recommendations (CSRs) to Member States. Following positive statements on the way social care and support should be provided in the last few years by the European Commission, the European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-Based Care (EEG) welcomes several recommendations promoting quality care and support and access to employment and inclusive education for disadvantaged groups. Nonetheless, the overall focus on austerity will be detrimental to the transition to community-based services in Europe, if no safeguards are made available for public investment in this area.

Pages