Projects
- Current projects of the Observatory
- Combatting child poverty: a European child guarantee
- EU Monitoring: Current socio-political developments in Europe
- The Union of Equality: EU Strategies Against Structural Discrimination
- Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness
- Economic independence of women in Europe: Between self-sufficiency, equality, and agency
Current projects of the Observatory
On this page, we present the projects we are currently working on or that we have just completed with recent publications.Economic independence of women in Europe: Between self-sufficiency, equality, and agency
In Europe, economic independence for women is not yet a norm in society. Despite progress, structural inequalities between the sexes persist, particularly to care work, paid employment, income, wealth, and provisions for old age. These inequalities impact people throughout their lives and often lead result in long-term economic dependency.
However, economic independence means more than simply securing a self-sufficient livelihood. It enables self-sufficiency and participation, strengthens individual agency, and is a crucial prerequisite for achieving genuine gender equality.
In an Expertise and accompanying Dossier to be published at the end of November, the Observatory presents key EU legal and political measures designed to promote women's economic independence. Particular attention is paid to the diverse life circumstances and experiences of discrimination that significantly influence opportunities for economic independence.
EU Monitoring: Current socio-political developments in Europe
Our EU monitoring provides a regular overview of the activities of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the European civil society organisations in social policy.It highlights our key issues in the areas of children and youth policy, family and reconciliation policy, equality policy, and policy for older people. In addition to the EU Monitoring, we publish focus issues and background information that present the European Union's social policies and strategies.
If you would like to receive the EU-Monitoring by e-mail, please write to us stating your name and organisation: beobachtungsstelle (a) iss-ffm.de
Please note that the EU monitoring is only published in German.
Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness
The first Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness was adopted by the EU Commission on March 5, 2026. It was developed through a multi-phase process involving the EU Policy Lab and a European Citizens’ Panel.The strategy aims to establish intergenerational fairness as a guiding principle in policymaking, ensuring that current decisions always take into account the long-term consequences for all generations. This is intended to ensure a fair distribution of opportunities and burdens among all generations.
The focus issue of the EU-Monitoring examines the EU Commission's strategy on Intergenerational Fairness.
Please note that the focus issue of the EU-Monitoring is only published in German.
The Union of Equality: EU Strategies Against Structural Discrimination
The 'Union of Equality' is a key objective of the European Union, as defined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2019. Adopting an intersectional approach, the goal is to establish a society that respects diversity and ensures equal opportunities and rights for all.Specifically, the report outlines how the 'Union of Equality' will be realised institutionally, structurally and politically within the EU. Adopting an intersectional approach, it sets out to implement five core strategies of the European Commission, with a particular focus on gender equality, LGBTIQ+ equality, combatting racism, the rights of disabled people, and the equality, inclusion, and participation of Roma.
Please note that the background information is only published in German.
Combatting child poverty: a European child guarantee
Child poverty is widespread in Europe, even in economically strong countries. One in four children in the European Union is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The coronavirus pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated existing inequalities even further.In March 2021, the EU Commission adopted the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, which aims to reduce the number of children at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the EU by at least five million by 2030. To achieve this, an integrated approach is needed that focuses on the causes of poverty and social exclusion, and that breaks the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
On 14 June 2021, the EU Member States adopted a Council recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee. It aims to prevent and combat the social exclusion of children in need by guaranteeing access to different key services, e.g. early childhood education and care, education, healthcare or healthy nutrition and adequate housing. The EU Commission has called on the EU Member States to establish a national action plan covering the period until 2030 to implement the European Child Guarantee.
On May 6, the EU Commission presented a new social plan, a package of various measures to combat poverty. The EU's stated goal is to completely eliminate poverty by 2050. The social plan includes, among other things, the first EU strategy for combating poverty and a communication from the European Commission on strengthening the Child Guarantee.
Please note that the background information is only published in German.
