Social protection in European Union development cooperation

This document is the first ever communication on social protection in international development. It outlines how future EU aid should work to help putting in place social protection policies and systems. It includes proposals such as supporting nationally-owned policies; introducing measures to support job creation and employment; bringing in the civil society and the private sector; and tackling the underlying causes of vulnerability – particularly those that affect women – to readdress the balance, but also sharing EU experience in the matter. These proposals have been made after a broad consultation process which over 250 stakeholders and 17 Member states took part in.

European Commission, August 2012