The main work of the Social Affairs Forum (SAF) in 2017 will be focusing on four priorities:

• social cohesion and integration of refugees
• inclusive labour markets
• tackling deep-seated poverty and homelessness
• influencing the shaping of the European Pillar of Social Rights 

The SAF will continue its work on policy dossiers such as long term and youth unemployment, housing, homlessness, innovation in social services, smart social inclusion, education, active and healthy ageing, migration and Roma inclusion that are at the core of the EU social agenda. This work will be supported by a partnership with the European Commission (2014-2017) under Employment and Social Innovation programme.

 

The forum will also further develop implementation of the Work Declaration and inclusion of asylum seekers through the "Solidarity Cities" initiative and the "Cities GROW" project. The forum will also look at how the European Social Fund it is put into practice in cities especially in relation to youth employment, preventing early school leaving, improving access to services and supporting the integrated approaches to tackling social disadvantage.

 

Over the past six years, the SAF’s work on active inclusion has helped develop and consolidate the cities’ activities. The Forum will continue to draw lessons on past work and projects such as Cities for Active Inclusion, Integrating Cities and labour market inclusion, including green jobs and social procurement. Best practices on ntegrated services for employment, social inclusion and social investment at local level will be built upon.

 

The Social Affairs Forum plans to work together with the other policy forums in 2017, in particular with the economic development forum, on themes that link social inclusion with other policy areas, such as sharing economy.