The OSE has started a new research project, together with the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), which is in charge of the overall coordination. Funded by the European Commission, the European Minimum Income Network (EMIN) project will first build a network of national experts (social and anti-poverty NGOs and people experiencing poverty) with the aim to review and compare national situations as regards minimum income schemes.
Social inclusion
Within the framework of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity Between the Generations, the OSE was given by the Federal Social Security, the scientific supervision of the closing conference (27 November 2012) at the Belgian level, as well as preparatory hearings (September and October 2012) that should identify the topics most important. The objective is to propose a course of action and reflection for policy makers.
The OSE was awarded a contract with the Belgian Federal Public Service Social Security with a view to writing an “international digest” for the quarterly Belgian Review for Social Security (RBSS/BTSZ). The digest will provide a regular overview of international developments (EU, OECD, ILO etc.) that have a direct or indirect impact on social protection and social inclusion policies and debates.
OSE researchers involved in this project: Cécile Barbier
Ramon Peña-Casas and Dalila Ghailani have been asked to draft, in collaboration with Ides Nicaise from the Higher Institute for Labour Studies (HIVA, KU Leuven ), the Belgian report on “Promoting Social Inclusion of Roma”. This research, part of the EU Network of Independent Experts on Social Inclusion, contributes to following up the 2011 Communication on an EU framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.
OSE researchers involved in this project: Dalila Ghailani
Ramon Peña-Casas and Dalila Ghailani have been asked to draft, in collaboration with Ides Nicaise from the Higher Institute for Labour Studies (HIVA, KU Leuven ), the Belgian report on “Promoting Social Inclusion of Roma”. This research, part of the EU Network of Independent Experts on Social Inclusion, contributes to following up the 2011 Communication on an EU framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.
OSE researchers involved in this project: Dalila Ghailani
The European Social Observatory is part of the four year NEUJOBS Project, funded by the European Commission (FP7). The main objective will be to highlight the opportunities and difficulties that result from the socio-economic and ecological transitions of the labour market. In order to include all stakeholders’ positions in the study, social partners will be actively involved. Results should allow decision makers to take the most appropriate social and economic measures and avoid/reduce negative impacts on some groups of workers (older workers, migrants, Roma, etc.).
The European Social Observatory has been asked to draft, in collaboration with Ides Nicaise from the Higher Institute for Labour Studies (HIVA, KU Leuven), an assessment of the extent to which the measures proposed in the Belgian National Reform Programmes (NRP) are ensuring progress towards the Europe 2020’s social inclusion objectives and target.
The OSE, along with the Research Institute for Work and Society (HIVA, KULeuven), conducted a research project aimed at exploring the practices of Belgian Public Centres for Social Action (PCSA), whose work is related to the social integration of first and second-generation migrants. The research investigated the practices of PCSAs, the partnerships that are mobilised and the interaction with other (social) policy strands. The project combined the findings of a web survey of the 587 Belgian PCSAs with more in-depth case studies.
The OSE has been closely involved in the scientific preparation of the 4th European Roma Platform which took place on 13 December 2010, in the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the EU. At the request of the Belgian Secretary of State for Social Integration and Combatting Poverty (Philippe Courard), Romana Careja and Bart Vanhercke, together with several experts from UNICEF, drafted a Discussion Paper on “Preventing Social Exclusion through Europe 2020: Early Childhood Development and the Inclusion of Roma Families”.
The Public Policy and Management Institute (PPMI) and the European Social Observatory (OSE) wrapped up the European Commission-funded assessment of the PROGRESS Peer Reviews in Social Protection and Social Inclusion.