At the beginning of the year, ENSIE shared its analysis of the Autumn package with members launching its work on the EU Semester process and calling members, at EU level, to undertake advocacy work with regards to the published documents (analysis and recommendations) to influence the publications of the Spring package which presents country reports and country
specific recommendations.

In July, ENSIE analysed the Spring package and shared its position as well as country fiches on country specific recommendations (CSRs) from the EC for each member country calling again for action. The ENSIE position on the Spring package was also share with SPC and EMCO during a virtual meeting. A separate email was sent to draw the attention of members to the new EU fiscal rules and potential advocacy actions to lead (with a template and toolkit on how to act).

Consequently, 7 members expressed their interest in taking part in the EU Semester process (Austria, Czechia, Finland, France, Latvia, Romania and Sweden). With Austria, Czechia, Finland and Latvia work on influencing the next Spring package 2025 is
ongoing. Sweden contributed to the NRPs and work is ongoing on contributing to 2025 Spring Package. France provided a contribution and met its European semester and desk officers from DG EMPL explicating challenges and presenting recommendations to better support work integration of vulnerable groups in France. Romania, with support from ENSIE, sent an email to its Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity on mid-term fiscal structural plans (MTFSPs) highlighting the importance of civil society in being involved in their drafting to ensure budget is not cut to the detriment of vulnerable people and social policies.

Concerning the MTFSPs, in November 2024, based on the analysis of 21 out of 27 available plans (Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden), initiatives undertaken by European countries to address employment, social inclusion, and sustainable growth were analysed and an info sheet was drafted.

In addition, ENSIE drafted an analysis on the implementation of the NRRPs in Member States. The focus of the analysis is on the measures aimed at supporting the employment and social inclusion of vulnerable groups, improving their skills and encouraging the development of the social economy and responsible public procurement. The analysis is based on the 27 country reports published on the 19th of June 2024 by the European Commission under the European Semester Spring Package.
Moreover, a webinar on the “EU Semester for beginners” was organised organised gathering representatives from Social Platform expert the field of the EU Semester, one Romanian European semester officer and a Lithuanian desk officer.

One capacity building session for members was organised also on the EU Semester’s Spring package.
Finally, the ESO and desk officers contacts database was updated.