Over the past 30 years, the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament have emphasised the importance of active inclusion policies and adequate minimum income support. More recently, as part of the Social Investment Package adopted in February 2013, the Commission proposed the use of reference budgets as an instrument to help Member States design efficient and adequate income support and to facilitate the Commission’s task of monitoring the adequacy of income support in Europe.

A pilot project for developing a common methodology for reference budgets in Europe was launched by DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the end of 2013 with three main objectives. The first is to establish a reference budgets network composed of key experts and representative stakeholders, at national and EU level, to share experience and expertise on reference budgets. The second objective is to develop a theoretical framework and a common methodology for developing cross-nationally comparable reference budgets in European Member States. The third goal of the project is to develop comparable food baskets for all 28 Member States and complete reference budgets for a selection of countries.

Related documents:

• Reference budgets – Concluding seminar agenda
• Reference budgets – Practical information
• Reference budgets – travel expenses guide

Note that participation is on an invitation only basis. People who have not been invited will not be admitted.

Contact Details

Loredana Sementini
Seminar Coordinator
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Applica Sprl
37 rue van Campenhout
B-1000 Bruxelles
eventsecretariat@applica.be