The Active Ageing Index (AAI) measures to what extent the potential of older people is used to contribute to the economy and society through paid and unpaid activities and through living independent, healthy and safe lives. Developed within a joint management project of the European Commission...

Belgium introduced the 'Housing First' (HF) model in eight cities to support homeless people with special needs: homeless people move into permanent housing as quickly as possible, and receive intensive social support in their homes whenever needed. The setting of HF within Belgium's...

Ireland is in the process of developing a more coordinated and integrated approach to children's services, aimed at tackling the complex problems of disadvantaged families in a more joined-up and holistic way. This Peer Review (Ireland, February 2016) looked at Irish good practice and harnessed...

The Dutch government's declared aim is to move from a welfare state to a "participation society" built on citizens' self-reliance and networking. Large parts of the social security system have been devolved to the municipalities, which are expected to follow an integrated approach to social...

The Peer Review held in Prague in November 2015 discussed Czech family policy at a time of change, and more specifically the future shape of the country's early childhood education and care. Drawing on the experience of peer countries, international experts, the European Commission as well as...

Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) are payments to people who meet certain conditions. CCTs are increasingly being used to encourage families to invest in their children. However, there is limited scientific evidence on the effects of such programmes. The Peer Review in Budapest (8-9 October...

The Peer Review "The Active Ageing Index and its extension to the regional level" (Poland, 15-16 October 2014) focused on the usefulness of the Active Ageing Index in terms of policy making. This report summarises the key issues discussed during the Peer Review as well as the lessons learned. It...

This Peer Review (Italy, 11-12 December 2014) - and the P.I.P.P.I. programme (Programma di Intervento Per la Prevenzione dell'Istituzionalizzazione - Programme of Intervention to Prevent Institutionalisation) which is its focus - is especially interesting for its efforts to enable children to be...

The Belgian government's Children First initiative has been funding a pilot project to set up local 'consultation platforms' on child poverty. The platforms engage a wide range of local actors - from e.g. anti-poverty associations to child daycare centres, schools, sports clubs and student...

Slovenia is preparing a major reform of its fragmented long-term care (LTC) system introducing long-term care insurance. A Peer Review held in Ljubljana on 18-19 November brought 12 Member States and stakeholders together to discuss the question on how to ensure adequate and sustainable...