The EU policy aims to build a highly competitive EU social market economy, promoting in particular equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions and social protection and inclusion. Education also plays a key role fostering equity and excellence in modern education systems at schools and in higher education, promote career development of researchers and cross-fertilisation between education, research and innovation.

To ensure that unnecessary costs are removed and rules are as effective and efficient as possible, since 2015 under REFIT, 13 initiatives have been adopted. Moreover, 11 evaluations have been finalised and 3 are ongoing.

Initiatives in the area of employment, social affairs, inclusion and education

1. Occupational health and safety
2. Working time Directive
3. Posting of workers – Enforcement Directive
4. Written Statement Directive
5. European Social Security Pass
6. European Works Council
7. European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF)
8. European Social Fund + (ESF+)
9. Creative Europe
10. Erasmus
11. Solidarity Corps