About: Social services of general interest (SSGI)

Commission puts faith in ‘social innovation’ to tackle exclusion

The European Commission is encouraging civil society groups and so-called 'social entrepreneurs' to participate in a new EU-wide initiative to promote new approaches in the provision of public services.

Belgium to push ambitious social agenda at EU helm

The Belgian Presidency has said it will keep social issues high on the EU agenda in the coming six months, with NGOs hoping the country will ensure that social protection is safeguarded amid a proliferation of austerity budgets announced across Europe.

MEPs raise fears of Services Directive delay

Members of the European Parliament this week urged EU member states to step up their efforts to ensure the Services Directive is implemented into national law within the agreed deadline of 31 December 2009, but more importantly, that they implement it correctly.

‘Confusion’ as EU Services Directive deadline nears

The European Services Directive, which EU member states must transpose into law by the end of this year, is a flawed agreement, Patrick de Bucquois, incoming president of CEDAG, a European umbrella group for non-profit organisations, told EURACTIV in an interview.

Mixed reaction to EU’s social package

The Commission's long-awaited social package aimed at tackling discrimination and strengthening workers' rights, which was unveiled yesterday (2 July), was warmly welcomed by MEPs but business federations and civil society groups were dismissive, saying it falls short.

Social service providers call for protective regulation under EU Treaty

At a conference in Brussels on 28 January, French providers of Social Services of General Interest (SSGI) have called for clarity over the Lisbon Treaty's provisions concerning the sector, particularly regarding regulatory limits to opening up social services to competition. 

Scaled-down public services proposal under fire

The Commission's decision to scale down its ambitions for public service regulation has been met with contempt by trade unions, public employers, NGOs and the Socialist Group in the European Parliament.

Public services ‘safeguarded’ in draft EU Treaty

A broad alliance of organisations, ranging from the Committee of the Regions to trade unions, has welcomed provisions on public services in the draft mandate for the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), which will negotiate a new EU Treaty.

MEPs stress importance of social services over market rules

The European Parliament has adopted a report on social services of general interest, which criticises the Commission for failing to properly define them and calls for their exclusion from competition, state-aid and internal-market rules. 

Trade unions want public services protected

European trade unions have launched a Europe-wide petition calling on the Commission to establish rules to protect public services that are vital to the health and well-being of citizens.

Services row revisited over general interest directive

The Parliament's 26 September 2006 debate on the White Paper dealing with Services of General Interest showed a split along party lines, but also divisions within the larger groups on the need of a framework directive.

Parliament faces crucial enlargement decisions

At this week’s Strasbourg session (25-28 September 2006), the European Parliament is to vote on the Eurlings report on Turkey’s progress, as well as on the Rapkay report on services of general interest. It also awaits the Commission’s statement on Bulgaria and Romania’s EU accession.

Parliament demands clarity on public services

Parliament tells the Commission to clearly distinguish services of 'general interest' from services of 'general economic interest' and to adopt legal rules accordingly.

Commission lays out social services scheme

In a Communication on Social Services of General Interest (SSGI), the Commission has defined what it understands by the term and outlined its position. The paper does not deal with health services, nor does it contain any policy initiatives.