About us

The Observatory analyses policies and trends in European states. Our work covers a wide range of topics – from the reconciliation of work and family life to elderly care policies; from equality issues to the organisation of social services. We provide working papers, expertises and reports. In European Expert Meetings, we bring together different stakeholders. We thus promote the exchange and mutual learning across Europe.

The social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the demographic change of an ageing society, or the digitalisation present major challenges for the member states of the European Union. In Europe, issues like reducing child poverty, equality for LGBTI people or combating (digital) violence against women are discussed at the national level, within various member states, as well as at the supra-national level. Individual member states develop a variety of policy concepts and initiatives to meet these challenges. As a consequence, a number of interesting strategies have evolved. Learning about other countries’ approaches provides an asset to the German situation.

This is where the Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe comes into the picture. It analyses sociopolitical trends, both in EU member states and at the European level, and studies their impact on Germany.

It functions as a mediator between the national and the European level providing a forum for dialogue and communication between key sociopolitical actors by continuously monitoring and comparing current political, academic, and practical debates, it aims at disseminating information about European and cross-border developments as well as trends here in Germany.

The Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe is a project of the Institute for Social Work and Social Education (ISS). It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ).

From January 2010 until July 2014 the observatory was a common project of the German Association for Public and Private Welfare e. V. (DV) and the ISS e.V. Please find here further information on the predecessor project Observatory for the Development of Social Services in Europe.