Bridging the Gap for a Social and Sustainable Europe

ongoing

"Social Rights (SR) are fundamental rights and crucial for the well-being of people living in Europe. The European social model is one of our greatest strengths. Yet, this model is often overlooked, and vast disparities remain between Member States. To address these challenges, SOLIDAR, a network of more than 50 CSOs across Europe, has designed the program ""Bridging the Gap for a Social and Sustainable Europe"" (BRIDGE). It aims to contribute to the development and monitoring of social policy, especially under the EPSR, at European, national and local level. The BRIDGE program focuses on: 1.Mainstreaming SR in EU policies by using tools like SOLIDAR’s Social Rights Monitor (SRM) to provide evidence-based insights. These findings are shared with policymakers during processes such as the European Semester to ensure SR are prioritized in decision-making. 2.Strengthening the capacity of members in promoting and monitoring SR at national/ local levels, with trainings, study visits and working groups tailored for them to understand EU policy processes, how to engage with them at relevant levels, and how to access ESF+ funding. 3.Raising awareness among people living in Europe about their SR and their impact on their daily life through tools like the SRM Map, a quick and interactive way for people to inform themselves about SR. 4.Building coalitions and strategic alliances with other CSOs, trade unions, policymakers and academia to promote social justice and address related causes such as just transitions, migrants’ rights, and civic space protection. *SOLIDAR's main target groups are: (1) SOLIDAR’s members, who reach millions of people and (2) EU/national/local stakeholders, including decision makers, other CSOs and Trade Unions. *The main expected results are an improved monitoring and progress toward the implementation of the EPSR, its new Action Plan and related initiatives, as well as an enhanced capacity of the network to influence policies at EU/national levels. "