Today EU leaders proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights at the Social Summit in Swedish Gothenburg, which was presented earlier this year by the EU Commission.

The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. It is structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; social protection and inclusion. It is primarily conceived for the euro area but applicable to all EU Member States wishing to be part of it. Delivering on the principles and rights defined in the European Pillar of Social Rights is a joint responsibility of Member States, EU institutions social partners and other stakeholders.

The European Pillar of Social Rights has the potential to deliver the framework for a more inclusive Europe, where youth can find its place. That is why it is important that the Pillar should be implemented by national governments with a focus on specific measures for youth.

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City authorities play a crucial role in fighting poverty and social exclusion, and combine this with knowledge of the local context.

Considering that most social policies, such as combating youth unemployment, are implemented at local level, city authorities should be strongly involved in the design and implementation of policies related to the social pillar.

One way to turn the European Pillar of Social Rights objectives into more concrete initiatives would be to link it to the Urban Agenda for the EU. The urban partnerships, including the one on jobs and skills in the local economy, offer an already existing multilevel governance model that could be used in the fight against youth unemployment.

Read more on the issue in the EUobserver article “Youth worst affected by labour market gaps” published by Andreas Schonstrom.