Assessing the socio-economic impact of social reforms

In regards to their systems of social protection European countries are often facing similar challenges. Hence, an exchange of ideas on best practice solutions has increasingly gained in importance in the modernisation of the social protection systems.

At the same time, there is a constant requirement to monitor the impact of social reforms and whether they actually meet the intended effects. It is in particular the process of constant assessment and evaluation of the status quo and the evolution of social protection which helps to enhance mutual exchange and learning. This goes beyond a mere description of legal regulations, but has to focus in particular on the actual socio-economic impact of social reforms.

To this aim, the European Commission has established an independent expert network which provides up-to-date information on social protection developments, the national debates, and present-day research in the fields of pensions, health, and long-term care.

This is of relevance also against the background of a renewed social policy agenda of the EU and the strengthening of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) which implies, amongst other things, an enhanced academic evaluation of social policy reforms.