The profound changes experienced by rural areas in Europe over the past couple of decades have resulted in obvious disadvantages: loss of employment due to changes in the agricultural sector, migration of young people towards urban centres, leading to a demographic imbalance, and insufficient...

This is the report of a conference held in Lisbon on 8-9 November 2007, organised by the Foundation in cooperation with the European Commission Leader+ Observatory, the Leader+ Network in Portugal and the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries (Ministério da...

This report presents a comparison of national industrial relations systems in the EU25, exploring the differences between individual systems and their effects on the economy. The report is based on the more detailed findings of a research project entitled "Quality of industrial relations:...

The Belgian collective bargaining system is highly institutionalised and coordinated. Over 90% of employees are covered by a collective agreement, placing Belgium among the countries with the highest coverage in Europe. Also, the Belgian trade unions have a relatively high level of membership...

The legal basis of collective bargaining in Germany is laid down by the Collective Agreements Act, 1949. Collective agreements can be concluded between employer associations (or individual employers) and trade unions. In contrast, works councils – statutory employee representation bodies...

This study examined best practice examples of social partner involvement in greening the economy in different Member States. It analysed the role of the trade unions and employers’ associations as well as employees, their direct representatives and company management in selected projects at...

This report is an attempt to gain a better understanding of public attitudes towards European integration by relating general and specific developments in societal values and expectations to underlying socio-economic trends. The analytical point of departure is the thesis that European values...