4 April 2025
This week, SGI Europe representatives attended the ESF+ Technical Working Group meetings to present the LABOUR-INT 3 project to the EU Member States' managing authorities of the fund gathered in Brussels. Held together with representatives of the ETUC and the project-selected external expert, the presentation was an exciting opportunity to introduce the third edition of a longstanding initiative funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to support the integration of migrants and refugees into the European labour markets.
Built on the successes and lessons learnt from the previous editions, the LABOUR-INT 3 finally marks a shift from piloting and advocacy to field-level implementation. A defining feature of this phase is its strategic expansion towards Central and Eastern Europe, regions that are increasingly receiving third-country nationals but often lack well-established and functioning integration structures. Laying on the concept of the multi-stakeholders approach to integration and the collaboration of different actors across different levels, the project supports national and local actors in Poland, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Italy to design and deliver tailored approaches that reflect the countries' unique labour markets and social context.
The presentation given at the ESF+ Technical Working Group meetings served to table a first discussion with the ESF+ managing authorities to understand how to enhance better the synergies between the AMIF and the ESF+ funds, so to ensure that the structures and networks created throughout the three editions of the project can be picked up and scaled through ESF+ funding: with structures, partnerships, and functioning tools now in place, the project demonstrates the readiness of many regions to transition from pilot initiatives to sustainable, long-term integration measures.
Contact: Cecilia Martin
On 2 April, the European Parliament held a plenary session where the European Commission discussed the crucial role of the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) in addressing Europe’s economic and security challenges. While military mobility remains a priority due to the current geopolitical situation, MEPs stressed the need to prioritise public transport and sustainable solutions in the ongoing development of the TEN-T.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport, highlighted the importance of completing the TEN-T to enhance connectivity across the EU, remove infrastructure bottlenecks, and strengthen both the single market and European defense. He noted that completing the network will require an estimated EUR 850 billion by 2040, with additional private investment necessary to meet these costs.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas also emphasised the need for dual-use infrastructure for civilian and military purposes, calling for targeted investments to address existing gaps. He mentioned the creation of four military corridors in collaboration with NATO to facilitate rapid force deployment when needed.
MEPs voiced concerns about sustainable transportation and integrating public transport into the TEN-T framework. Speakers like Merja Kyllönen (The Left, FI) and Valérie Devaux (RE, FR) urged more significant focus on alternative fuels and ecological transitions in transport infrastructure.
In his conclusion, Commissioner Tzitzikostas reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to completing the TEN-T by 2030. The next major step will be the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in July, including new European budget priorities focusing on sustainable transport infrastructure.
Contact: Henriette Gleau
On Tuesday 1 April 2025, the European Commission announced a revision of the EU’s cohesion policy to better support EU competitiveness and decarbonization, affordable housing, water resilience, and the energy transition.
The objective put forward by the EU Commission is to make cohesion policy more effective by encouraging Member States and regions to invest in the European strategic priorities while maintaining the focus of the cohesion policy on reducing economic, social and territorial disparities. Member States will be invited to reprogramme part of their 2021-2027 cohesion funds to new investments in the context of the ongoing cohesion policy's 2025 mid-term review. The European Parliament and the Council will now discuss these amendments to the cohesion policy legislation.
On the same day, the Commission proposed to amend the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to broaden its scope and make it easier to mobilise support for workers. Under the proposed changes, Member States would gain more flexibility to redirect ESF+ funding towards skills development in strategic sectors, such as defence and clean industries.
SGI Europe welcomes the amendment of the ESF+ and the EGF, ensuring flexibility while using their resources towards skills development in strategic sectors, especially in industries active in fields needed to implement a clean and green transition. The revision of the EU policy is also a good signal for SGI Europe members, as it is meant to boost effectiveness and competitiveness of key SGIs sectors such as housing, water and energy management.
Contact: Benoît Casorla
On 1 April, SGI Europe participated in a meeting with the European Commission and the other cross-sectoral social partners to discuss the launch of the consultation process on the upcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap, a key initiative to be published by the end of 2025.
The Roadmap aims to promote quality employment for all workers in the EU, including those in different sectors and the self-employed. The Commission intends to present a comprehensive approach to improving working conditions and fostering fair transitions. The Roadmap will likely address issues such as fair wages, good working environments, access to care services, training, upskilling and reskilling, labour mobility, and stronger collective bargaining. It will also look at how to anticipate and manage restructuring more effectively.
The consultation will include structured exchanges with EU-level social partners, a kick-off meeting with EVP Roxana Minzatu on 16 April, a dedicated hearing for social partners on 5 May, direct outreach to national actors via Commission contact points, and the possibility to submit written contributions during spring 2025.
The consultation process is expected to conclude in June 2025, feeding into a Commission Communication that sets a shared vision for quality jobs in Europe to be published in Q4 2025.
SGI Europe will contribute with the support of its members to the different stages of social partners' consultations on the quality jobs roadmap.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
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