Neither the notion of non-standard employment nor the concept of self-employment are well-defined at national and EU-level. For non-standard employment, we rely on the ILO definition. By people in self-employment, we understand people working for their own account. One of the challenges of...

This Synthesis Report examines the extent to which 35 European countries (28 Member States and seven other countries) have strengthened or further developed their policies/ approaches and programmes for children since 2013 in ways that are consistent with the EU Recommendation on Investing in...

This Social Protection Committee (SPC) background report on sick leave and sick pay/sickness benefit schemes in the European Union sheds light on the huge variations in the way Member States address absence from work in case of temporary professional incapacity due to sickness. It is important...

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...

In 2008, the European Commission Recommendation on active inclusion set out common principles and practical guidelines for a comprehensive strategy based on three integrated pillars: adequate income support, inclusive labour markets and access to quality services. This built on the 1992 Council...

The present Synthesis Report addresses the work-life balance of carers of dependent persons by examining three main social policy arrangements: leave schemes, cash benefits and benefits in kind. To this end, the 35 ESPN Country Teams provided, first, a brief description of the main features of...

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...