Social Europe Debate: The Future of Social Policies in the European Union

The Hub Social in Barcelona will host Social Europe 2025, an event bringing together representatives from the third social sector and regional actors to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the negotiation of the European Union’s new Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). The discussion will focus on how current geopolitical, socioeconomic, technological, and climate-related factors will influence the transformation of European social policies.

The event will begin with doors opening and accreditation at 9:30 a.m., followed by an institutional welcome at 10:00 a.m. from Enric Morist, President of the Third Sector Social Platform of Catalonia; Laura Foraster, Secretary General of Catalonia International; and Josep Antoni Rom, Rector of Ramon Llull University.

At 10:20 a.m., the first roundtable, titled “Where do we come from and where are we going in terms of the European social agenda?”, will assess the implementation of EU social policies from 2019 to 2024 and the key factors that will shape the upcoming legislative period. Speakers will include:

• Maria Nikolopoulou, Vice-President of the Equality Group and the NAT Section (Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
• Benedetto Zacchiroli, President of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR)
• Carlos Susías, President of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) and EAPN-Spain
• Pilar Muro, Professor at the School of Communication and International Relations at Blanquerna – Ramon Llull University

After a coffee break at 11:30 a.m., the second roundtable will begin at 12:00 p.m., under the title “What priorities should be defended to expand the Europe of rights?”. This session will focus on the new European social agenda, the importance of multi-actor collaboration, and ways to strengthen public policy. Speakers will include:

• Hamza Bennis, Policy Officer for Employment, Digitalization and Public Services at the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
• Delal Atamaca, Director of the DaMigra network (Germany)
• Bàrbara Mitats, Head of Programmes and Federated Services at the Mental Health Federation of Catalonia
• Raffaella Scalisi, Coordinator of International Relations and Strategic Projects at Torino Social Impact (Italy)

The event will close at 1:15 p.m. with remarks by Mònica Martínez Bravo, Minister of Social Rights and Inclusion of the Government of Catalonia.

Those interested in attending will soon be able to register via the website of the Third Sector Social Platform of Catalonia.