The European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care (EEG) has prepared its recommendations to the implementation of the European Semester and the integration of the European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar) in the European Semester.

The Social Pillar is a European Commission initiative which is intended to act as driver for social change in Europe and serve as a guide towards efficient employment and social outcomes when responding to current and future challenges.

Over one million adults and children, including adults and children with disabilities, are still living in long-stay residential institutions across Europe. A horizontal and efficient implementation of the Social Pillar’s principles, especially those on disability, childcare, long-term care, healthcare and housing, would give the opportunity to effectively protect social rights, improve the quality of lives and promote the right to family and independent living.

The adequate implementation of the Social Pillar would also be in line and provide a tool for the enforcement on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) which has been ratified by the European Union (EU) and, to date, 27 Member States.

For these reasons, the EEG recommends the EU to:

• Define a clear implementation plan for each principle of the Social Pillar;

• Reform the European Semester process to rigorously apply the Social Scoreboard;

• Put in place a rigorous and transparent monitoring system;

• Meaningfully involve civil society organisations;

• Create as many synergies as possible among policies and funding;

• Propose packages with legislative and non-legislative initiatives;

• Further invest in the Social Pillar when designing the post-2020 EU budget and Cohesion Policy.

More information can be found in the EEG paper on the European Pillar of Social Rights and its potential to build an inclusive Europe for all.