Expert Network for Analytical Support in Social Policies (ESPAN and MISSOC)

The European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPAN) brings together independent experts on social inclusion and social protection. It

  • provides timely and high-quality information to the European Commission on social protection and social inclusion policies (and related socio-economic developments and trends) and
  • supports the European Commission in monitoring progress within the European Semester framework and against the achievement of the 2030 social targets.
  • supports the Commission in identifying and promoting the exchange of good practices and the development of dynamics of mutual learning that can support the achievement of the EU’s social objectives.

The Mutual Information Systems on Social Protection (MISSOC) network of national delegates, whose members are appointed by the authorities of participating countries (EU Member States and EEA/EFTA countries), ensures exchange of information on national social protection systems by preparing comparative legislative tables (addressed mainly to professional users) and social security guides for the general public.

Applica is responsible for coordinating the work of MISSOC and for communication activities (seminars, publications and online resources).

ESF+ Data Support Centre

The ESF+ Data Support Centre aims to support Member States and the European Commission at the production of ESF, FEAD and ESF+ (shared management strand) statistics, including methodological and harmonisation aspects.

It provides methodological support to the Commission and Member States; develops and reviews ESF, FEAD, and ESF+ data plausibility and consistency checks; and aggregates and synthesises ESF, FEAD, and ESF+ monitoring data.

The ESF+ Data Support Centre is run by ICF SA in association with Alphametrics Ltd, Ockham IPS and Applica.

Support for Social Protection Statistics (ESPROSS)

The project was conducted for Eurostat by the consortium composed of Applica (leader) and Alphametrics. The overall purpose of the project was to support Eurostat in the continued undertaking of ESSPROS related activities and to assist in the work to further develop the ESSPROS system.

Main tasks in the project:

  • developing the existing ESSPROS data collections.
  • supporting the extension of the ESSSPROS system through the development of the methodological basis for a new data collection on the number of recipients/beneficiaries of social benefits in the unemployment function.
  • assisting Eurostat in the preparation and delivery of meetings that underpin the ongoing process of exchange and consensus building amongst ESSPROS stakeholders.
  • statistical training for ESSPROS domain.

Study on the adequacy and sustainability of social protection systems: attitudes in the EU

The overall purpose of the study is to collect and report policy-relevant evidence on preferences of the citizens for social protection. The analysis aims, in  particular, at identifying the type of social contract that is favoured by people, at providing a clear overview of the factors that influence the demand for social protection and solidarity, and at exploring the potential for EU-wide solidarity and protection.

European Social Policy Network and MISSOC

The European Social Policy Network (ESPN) brought together independent experts on social inclusion and social protection and government experts on social protection systems (the Mutual Information Systems on Social Protection – MISSOC).

The ESPN provided high quality and timely independent information, advice, analysis and expertise in monitoring progress towards the EU’s social (protection and inclusion) goals and helped the Commission to identify and stimulate debate and discussion on effective policy developments and innovative developments in Member States.

Applica was responsible for coordinating the work of the government experts on social protection systems (MISSOC) and for communication activities (seminars, publications and online resources).

The EU Social Situation Monitor

The aim of the project is to analyse trends in income distribution, poverty, social exclusion and material deprivation as well as health across the European Union, the position of different groups in society in these regards and the social welfare systems in place in different Member States for tackling problems of inequality and deprivation.

European Social Policy Network and MISSOC 2014-2018

The European Social Policy Network (ESPN) brings together the work previously done by the independent experts on social inclusion for the assessment of national social inclusion policies,  the independent experts for the analytical support on social protection reforms and by the government experts on social protection systems (the Mutual Information Systems on Social Protection – MISSOC).

The ESPN will provide high quality and timely independent information, advice, analysis and expertise in monitoring progress towards the EU’s social (protection and inclusion) goals and will help the Commission to identify and stimulate debate and discussion on effective policy developments and innovative developments in Member States.

Applica is responsible for coordinating the work of the government experts on social protection systems (the Mutual Information Systems on Social Protection – MISSOC) and for communication activities (seminars, publications and online resources).

Net social protection benefits (ESSPROS)

The objective of this project is to assist Eurostat in the preparation, collection and validation of the pilot data collection on net social protection benefits to be carried out in all Member States by the end of 2008 and the preparation of feasibility studies to improve the data.