Greening eastern Europe’s growth engines
The region has moved far too slowly in an era in which decarbonisation and climate resilience are essential.
Society
Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on societal issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.
Euronews: public-interest journalism in jeopardy
Workers and their unions are today sounding the alarm for media independence at the heart of Europe.
Steel’s power—and politicians’ lack of mettle
The steel industry’s strategic importance and lobbying power have shielded it from a tightening of the Emissions Trading System.
Elevating the Cinderellas of social care
The pandemic put care workers under terrible pressure, Lisa Pelling writes. Yet unions have been able to win greater recognition for them.
Introducing AI at work: workers must be involved
Rather than being displaced or controlled by AI, workers should be co-designers of its workplace deployment.
Europe needs a social compass
Europe is undergoing multiple transitions. For these to succeed, social dialogue to build consensus will be essential.
How to prevent a housing crisis
The cost-of-living crisis threatens to tip over into a housing crisis. Prevention is better than cure.
EIB: dispensing billions to corporate profiteers
The European Investment Bank is a public institution—yet the public good is not its agenda.
Unlocking vacant properties to tackle homelessness
Europe’s cities have many social outsiders. Lessons are emerging on how ‘housing first’ can include them.
Generative AI needs more than a light touch
Chatbots such as ChatGPT raise huge data-protection and moral questions regulators must address.
Football’s tilted playing-pitch in Europe
The beautiful game is sullied by commodification. Regulation should empower the fans at its heart.
Global cities: crucibles of innovation
Urban geographer Ash Amin explains to Robin Wilson why modern metropoles can be hubs of innovation and dynamism.
Eradicating long-term unemployment
Social enterprises can offer the long-term unemployed an exit from the vicious circle of inactivity, France is showing.
Late retirement: possible for many, not for all
Finland was quick to respond to demographic ageing. What lessons can be learnt from its pension reforms?
Environmental policy: avoiding a social backlash
The Netherlands has become the latest country to face a public backlash to environmental policy.
The promise and peril of generative AI
To ensure tools such as ChatGPT deliver widely shared benefits, we must learn from the last wave of digital innovation.