Future EU enlargements require the involvement of the social partners and a deepening of the social dialogue - both in the EU and in the candidate countries. On 26 March 2024, AK EUROPA and the  EU Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) hosted the launch event of the Central European Trade Union Network (CETUN). The discussion focussed on the challenges and opportunities of EU enlargement to include the Western Balkans region. It was agreed that the social dimension must be given greater consideration.

Given the political significance of this European election year, the Benchmarking Working Europe Report 2024 provides a retrospective assessment of the state of Social Europe. Important achievements of the past EU legislative period are recognised, but shortcomings are also identified. The report also points out the necessary political steps in the coming EU legislative period to ensure the continuation of the social paradigm shift.

21 member organisations of the European Alliance for a Just Transition have signed a joint letter on an EU policy framework for just transition, with the aim of putting the issue more centre stage in the next EU policy cycle. The letter was sent on 11 March to the relevant ministers and to the Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU. They are called on to raise the ambition of the forthcoming Environment Council Conclusions and other relevant decisions in the coming months.

The creation of an EU Job Guarantee could counteract long-term unemployment, tackle poverty and at the same time contribute to a green and just transition. In February 2024, AK EUROPA organised an event in Brussels to advance the debate on this at EU level. Existing Job Guarantee models and the challenges and opportunities of their implementation were discussed.

On 23 February 2024, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the EU Commission hosted the joint event "Meet the Champions of Excellence". AKNÖ was also represented with pioneering projects. The event offered young people from all over Europe a place for networking, innovation and vocational education and training. The Lower Austrian Chamber of Labour and AK EUROPA also took part.

On 31 January 2024, the European Trade Union Confederation, the European employers' organisations, the European Commission and the Belgian Council Presidency met at Val Duchesse Castle in Brussels for a Social Partners' Summit. As part of the European social model, social dialogue plays a key role in shaping the ecological and digital transformation of the world of work in a fair way.

For some years now, the EU has been severely affected by massive crises: the worst pandemic in more than a hundred years, the worst military aggression on European territory in 80 years owing to Russia's attack on Ukraine, the biggest energy crisis since the 1970s, the highest inflation rate since the euro was created, geopolitical upheavals and, as a result, refugee movements to the EU and a constantly worsening climate crisis. This accumulation of crises is having a significant impact on the EU budget, which requires appropriate adjustments.

In order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU are to be reduced by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels: With this new recommendation, the EU Commission is setting the direction for the next legislative period. Parallel to the communication on the 2040 climate target, a communication on industrial carbon management was presented, which is intended to make a significant contribution to reducing emissions.

The EU has a large number of general social objectives and principles. However, in practice, market-liberal orientations and restrictive fiscal rules have often taken a higher priority. The 2024 elections to the European Parliament represent an important window of opportunity for the debate on strengthening the social orientation of the EU.

Around 100 guests from European institutions and partner organisations attended the traditional New Year's reception of the European offices of the Chamber of Labour and the Austrian Trade Union Confederation in Brussels on 29 January. This year's theme was the protection of democracy and the importance of participation in EU and AK elections.