“It’s a dynamic sector, huge in scale, which in the years to come will provide many opportunities for work and form an important element of the EU strategy for growth and employment. The social services represent a pillar of the European social model (…)”, declared the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Vladimir Spidla in presenting the first Communication adopted by the Commission on social services of general interest (SSGI). The aim of the document is to review the situation in a sector in continuous evolution and, more particularly, one that is managed differently in the various member states. The Communication – which describes the specific characteristics of the SSGI and provides examples of EU funding in support of the various projects – also serves Brussels to launch a consultation requested by the institutions involved (“member states, social partners, NGOs and operators of social services”) so that “a greater legislative clarity may help the services sector to continue its own modernization without contravening European norms”. The Commission has also announced the publication (from 2007 on) of a series of studies relating to the situation of the SSGI in the various EU countries, their development and the legal framework in which they operate.
