European Semester

Our work on the European Semester

What is the European Semester?

The European Semester is the main tool at European level to monitor national progress on economic and fiscal policies. Born as a macro economic tool within the Europe 2020 strategy, it has become also the tool through which the Commission also makes recommendations for social policy reforms at national level.  It is part of the European Union’s economic governance framework which aims to detect, prevent and correct problematic economic trends such as excessive government deficits or public debt levels. Its focus is on the 6-month period from the beginning of each year, hence its named the ‘semester’.

Graphic by the European Commission

During the European Semester Member States are supposed to align their budgetary and economic policies with the objectives and rules agreed at the EU level. The European Semester starts with the publication of the Annual Growth Survey (AGS). The AGS sets out the broader EU objectives for the year to come, with a focus on the economy. Members States produce National Reform Programmes (NRPs) addressing how they implement reform, that are then analysed by the European Commission and the European Council. The European Council replies to the Member States with Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) as an assessment of their efforts to achieve the EU objectives addressed to their countries.

The Europe 2020 Strategy

The Europe 2020 strategy, which was initiated on 3 March 2010, aims at creating a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy in the European Union and defines 5 measurable ‘headline’ targets for the whole EU to be achieved by the year 2020:  employment rate at 75%, reduction of poverty with 25%, school drop-out rates below 10%, annual investment in research and development of minimum 3% of the GDP and the ‘green 20%-20%-20%’ target rates. Member States are expected to ‘translate’ these EU headline targets into national targets and report annually to the European Commission on the progress achieved and on the challenges encountered through the European Semester mechanism.

Our work in relation to the European Semester and hence Europe 2020 Strategy:

Annual Growth Survey (AGS)

Short analytical analysis of the AGS 2019 For a stronger Europe in the face of global uncertainty. 

Short analytical analysis of the AGS 2018   What priorities does the Commission highlight that impact rehabilitation services? December 2017

Letter in response to AGS 2016 – EPR joint work with Social Services Europe – Highlighting the importance of social investment – EPR joint work with Social Services Europe – February 2016

Letter to the European Commission making recommendations to the 2016 AGS – EPR joint work with Social Services Europe – October 2015

Analysis of National Reform Programmes (NRPs)

EPR Letter to the European Commission: analysis of and proposals for the European Semester – April 2016

Analysis of Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs)

Our Information Note on the CSRs 2019 highlights key recommendations on employment, education and training and their relevance for our members.

Our short analysis on the CSRs 2017 focuses on the main recommendations given by the European Commission to national governments on Social protection, Education, Training and Employment.

CSRs – What opportunities for VET, health and social service providers? – June 2016

Overview CSRs Employment – 2015

Analytical papers

The impact of the European Semester and the UNCRPD on the right to work for people with disabilities – December 2015

Training Seminars

Online training on the impact of the European Semester and the UNCRPD on the right to work of people with disabilities – 4 November 2015

Training Seminar on European Semester mechanism – 27 March 2015

European and National Consultations

EPR contribution to the Public Consultation on the Europe 2020 Strategy