REPORT: Public debate | Green and Digital — Did We Miss Social?
At a time when competitiveness and defense dominate the European policy agenda, Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic, Director for Social Rights and Inclusion at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), delivered what she called a “crash course on EU social policy”. Framing her presentation within the context of the green and digital transitions, she offered a thorough overview of the current state of play, ranging from legislation and strategic frameworks to ongoing debates, institutional instruments and implementation challenges. Her account was particularly valuable for practitioners and researchers looking to understand the evolving direction of EU social policy.
The Director’s presentation was thoughtfully tailored to the Czech context. Drawing on the 2024 Eurobarometer on Social Europe, she noted that while Czech respondents often express relatively low support for specific EU-level social-policy measures, there are clear indications of public concern for social justice. According to the data, 74% of Czech citizens consider a social Europe personally important, and 84% believe the green transition should not leave anyone behind. She underlined the key role of the Social Climate Fund (SCF), designed to support vulnerable groups in the shift to climate neutrality, and stressed its link to the Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS2). At EUROPEUM, Rebeka Hengalová has written extensively on ETS2 and the SCF, including by providing recommendations on how these instruments could better support decarbonisation among lower-income strata. Together with former Green programme head Jana Abíková, she has also examined the potential of ETS2 to address transport poverty in Czechia. For work on the complementary Just Transition Fund (JTF), Klára Votavová’s research has explored the Czech state’s capacity to access JTF resources and the regional disparities in preparedness to draw from this fund.
Ivanković-Knezević also reflected on recent policy outcomes, both at the EU level and in Czechia. She highlighted the underutilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers, from which Czechia has so far received just €323,820 out of a total €691 million invested across the EU. She attributed this partly to an overly complex application process. At the same time, she commended Czechia’s performance on employment, with national targets for 2030 already exceeded. Less progress has been made on adult learning, where participation remains far below the goal of 45% of all adults engaged in training by the end of the decade.
Looking ahead, and in light of the Commission’s priorities on social policy, Ivankovic-Knezevic expressed optimism. She pointed to a series of new and upcoming ambitious initiatives, including a New Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the New Pact for European Social Dialogue and the first EU anti-poverty strategy. While acknowledging that current political momentum is shifting towards competitiveness and security, she emphasised that member states remain committed to investing in social policy and recognise the risks of inaction. In her view, the social dimension does not only complement Europe’s other priorities, but it is essential to their long-term success.
- Carlos Gómez del Tronco
