Keeping an eye on social policy in Europe – The work of the Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe

Changes in social structures, demographic trends and new forms of employment – all of these are sociopolitical developments that represent major challenges for the Member States of the EU. These topics are being discussed not only within the various European Member States, but also at supra-national level right across Europe. As individual Member States develop a variety of policy concepts and initiatives to meet the challenges facing them, a number of interesting strategies have evolved to find solutions to the problems. Learning about such approaches from other countries can also be an informative process for us here in Germany.

This is where the Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe comes into the picture. It analyses sociopolitical trends in EU Member States as well as at European level, and it looks at the effects of these trends on the situation in Germany.

The project hopes to act as an interface between Germany and Europe: by continuously monitoring and comparing current political, academic and practical debate, it hopes to disseminate information regarding European and cross-border developments and trends here in Germany.

The Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe is a cooperation project of the German Association for Public and Private Welfare e. V. (DV) and 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).    

Results of our current work are available on this website as well as in our Newsletter.