This publication by Iain Begg, Fabian Mushövel and Robin Niblett sets the scene for the challenges currently facing the welfare state in Europe and to enable an informed discussion. It is published in the framework of the pan-European project “Vision Europe” in partnership with the Jacques Delors Institute.

The challenges and chances mentioned in this first publication are further developed in three policy papers on economic, social and governance aspects of the welfare state. They were launched on 17-18 November 2015 in Berlin at the occasion of the first annual Vision Europe Summit, where high-level experts and politicians discussed ways towards sustainable welfare states.  

The Jacques Delors Institute takes part to the Vision Europe project, a consortium of think tanks and foundations collaborating to address some of the most pressing public policy challenges facing Europe. Through research, publications and an annual summit, we aim to be a forum for debate and a source of recommendations to improve evidence-based policy-making at both a national and EU level and to foster as appropriate European integration. In 2015 we commonly work on “The Future of the Welfare State”, developing innovative policy recommendations on how to ensure the long-term sustainability of national welfare systems.
 
Vision Europe other participating organizations are:
– Bertelsmann Stiftung (Germany)
– Bruegel (Belgium)
– Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Portugal)
– Chatham House (UK)
– Compagnia di San Paolo (Italy)
– The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra (Finland).
 
For more information about the project please refer to www.vision-europe-summit.eu
and follow the twitter hashtag #VisionEurope.