The EU Social Investment Package
ECOS-V/042
The EU Social Investment Package
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- appreciates the strategic approach proposed by the Commission through the Social Investment Package (SIP) to devote more attention to enhancing people's capacities and supporting their participation in society and the labour market in order to increase individuals' prosperity, boost the economy and help the EU emerge from the crisis stronger, more cohesive and more competitive;
- regrets that the Commission's SIP neglects the role of local and regional authorities. Local and regional authorities have first-hand knowledge of social problems and play a key role in coordinating and implementing actions to address them;
- notes that many local and regional authorities are already developing and implementing successful programmes to address the challenges mentioned in the SIP. Local and regional authority exchange of best practices should therefore be promoted;
- calls on the EU to consider the possibility, in agreement with the Member States, of setting out a European social housing framework, as social housing plays a key role in tackling homelessness and in delivering the housing-led and preventative homeless strategies called for by the Commission;
- points out that ESF should better address citizens' real needs by giving local and regional authorities greater flexibility to establish objectives at local level;
- calls on the Commission to develop a concrete implementation plan for the SIP. This should include mechanisms for monitoring, coordination, transnational exchange and mutual learning on thematic priorities such as youth unemployment, education, homelessness, child poverty and care for people with disabilities and dependent people.
- appreciates the strategic approach proposed by the Commission through the Social Investment Package (SIP) to devote more attention to enhancing people's capacities and supporting their participation in society and the labour market in order to increase individuals' prosperity, boost the economy and help the EU emerge from the crisis stronger, more cohesive and more competitive;
- regrets that the Commission's SIP neglects the role of local and regional authorities. Local and regional authorities have first-hand knowledge of social problems and play a key role in coordinating and implementing actions to address them;
- notes that many local and regional authorities are already developing and implementing successful programmes to address the challenges mentioned in the SIP. Local and regional authority exchange of best practices should therefore be promoted;
- calls on the EU to consider the possibility, in agreement with the Member States, of setting out a European social housing framework, as social housing plays a key role in tackling homelessness and in delivering the housing-led and preventative homeless strategies called for by the Commission;
- points out that ESF should better address citizens' real needs by giving local and regional authorities greater flexibility to establish objectives at local level;
- calls on the Commission to develop a concrete implementation plan for the SIP. This should include mechanisms for monitoring, coordination, transnational exchange and mutual learning on thematic priorities such as youth unemployment, education, homelessness, child poverty and care for people with disabilities and dependent people.
