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Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Agenda 2026

European Employment and Social Rights Forum 2026 banner

Social Europe: Empowering people in times of change

3-4 March 2026, Brussels

Agenda

Agenda - Tuesday, 3 March

How can we maintain Europe’s social model while staying competitive on the global stage?  

What policies are needed to support workers and businesses through change, and to prepare the next generation for a rapidly evolving world of work?  

This day’s agenda will explore how we can secure quality jobs, fair opportunities, and effective social protection, while adapting to technological progress, economic pressures, and an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. 

The discussion will be structured around three building blocks: quality jobs, the fight against poverty, and fair labour mobility.

  1. 12:30-14:00
    Registration and lunch
  2. 14:00-14:10
    Introduction
  3. 14:10-14:15
    Welcome remarks

    Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission

  4. 14:15-14:30
    Opening speech

    Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

  5. 14:30-14:40
    Keynote speech – A social Europe for prosperity

    Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs (remote live intervention)

  6. QUALITY JOBS and FAIR LABOUR MOBILITY
  7. 14:40-15:40
    Adapting to a new world of work: Quality Jobs and Fair Labour Mobility

    Introduction by Yolanda Díaz, Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Spain (video message)

    Panel discussion

    • Li Andersson, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Employment Committee
    • Esther Lynch, General Secretary of European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
    • Markus J. Beyrer, Director-General at BusinessEurope
    • Alice Burks, Director of People Success, Deel
    • Menno Bart, Head of Policy Advocacy, Adecco Group
  8. 15:40-16:20
    Coffee break
  9. 16:20-16:40
    Prepare, protect, empower people in times of change

    Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission

  10. THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY
  11. 16:40-17:00
    Live Q&A on Sport as a driver of equal opportunity and socio-professional inclusion

    Vincent Kompany, Head Coach at FC Bayern München and Founder of BX Brussels (remote live intervention)

  12. 17:00-17:40
    Can Europe deliver on its 2030 promise?

    Panel discussion:

    • Petre-Florin Manole, Minister of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Romania
    • Aleksandra Gajewska, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Poland
    • Marie Toussaint, Member of the European Parliament, Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Fighting Against Poverty
    • Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
    • Maria Nyman, Secretary General of Caritas Europa
  13. 17:40-17:50
    Priorities of the Presidency of the Council on social rights and employment

    Marinos Moushouttas, Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Cyprus

  14. 17:50-18:05
    Fireside chat: Breaking the cycle: why investing early on in life pays off
    • Sidsel Marie Kristensen, CEO of the LEGO Foundation
    • Mario Nava, Director-General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission
  15. 18:05-18:15
    Closing remarks

    Mario Nava, Director-General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission

  16. 18:15-19:30
    Networking reception

Agenda - Wednesday, 4 March

  1. 08:30-09:30
    Registration and welcome coffee
  2. 09:30-09:35
    Introduction by moderator
  3. 09:35-10:00
    Welcome fireside chat
    • Ylva Johansson, Chair of the European Skills High-Level Board
    • Mario Nava, Director-General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission
  4. 10:15-11:45 
    BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1
  5. The first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy – key elements and the way forward 

    More info

  6. The power of quality jobs – Europe’s path to sustainable and inclusive growth

    More info

  7. Empowering NEETs Through ALMA (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve): transforming results into stronger support for youth 

    More info

  8. Pact for Skills: Future skills needs and developments

    More info

  9. 11:45-13:00
    Lunch break
  10. 13:00-14:30
    BREAKOUT SESSIONS 2
  11. Microfinance: Poverty reduction through the social and financial integration of the most vulnerable in Europe

    More info

  12. From evidence to action: lessons on EU funding towards a more Social Europe

    More info

  13. Growing wealth across EU Member States: who benefits and who falls behind?

    More info

  14. Pact for Skills: Closing the skills gap for a competitive Europe

    More info

  15. 14:30-15.00
    Coffee break
  16. 15:00-16:30
    BREAKOUT SESSIONS 3
  17. Mind the Gap: Social protection today for a dignified old-age tomorrow

    More info

  18. Fair labour mobility

    More info

  19. Resilient Societies: Strengthening social policy through research

    More info

  20. Pact for Skills and the Clean Industrial Deal: Opportunities for synergies

    More info

  21. 16:40-16:55
    Closing remarks
  22. 16:55-18:00
    Networking drinks

 

The European Employment and Social Rights Forum is organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. It is the EU’s annual flagship event on employment, social protection and social rights policies.