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Event
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21 September 2026

Child Guarantee

As part of the Irish EU Presidency programme of events, the 'Break the Cycle Conference' on 24-25 September 2026, in partnership with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Eurofound, Eurochild, Tusla and the Children’s Rights Alliance, is a unique opportunity for civil society stakeholders to learn from best practice examples and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the delivery of prevention, early intervention and family support services.

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Article

21 September 2026

Bridging the gap: Inequalities in access to early childhood education and care
Page

3 June 2024

European Child Guarantee monitor
Research report

31 July 2025

Working for children matters: An overview of service delivery and workforce in Europe
Topic

21 September 2026

Care

Publications

Explore Eurofound's recent publications.

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21 September 2026

Article
New

Bridging the gap: Inequalities in access to early childhood education and care

While early childhood education and care (ECEC) has been at the heart of a number of recent EU initiatives, there is a risk that some children are being left behind. This article looks at participation rates in ECEC and seeks to examine how children at risk of poverty or social exclusion can access this important part of the education system.
A teacher engages young children seated around a table with educational toys in a colorful classroom.
Read more about Bridging the gap: Inequalities in access to early childhood education and care

16 September 2026

Article

AI is already in use in Europe’s workplaces, but not at the expense of young workers

The rapid adoption of AI over the last few years has prompted debate over whether the technology is weakening employment outcomes for young people. This article examines the evidence across the EU27 by comparing labour market outcomes for young and prime-age workers between 2011 and 2025, while distinguishing actual generative AI use from potential exposure to it.
Three people analysing data on a computer with multiple monitors, displaying graphics and code, in a futuristic office setting.
Read more about AI is already in use in Europe’s workplaces, but not at the expense of young workers

14 September 2026

Research report

Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Agriculture sector – 2026

This study provides information allowing for an assessment of the representativeness of the organisations involved in the European sectoral social dialogue committee for the agriculture sector. Their relative representativeness legitimises their right to be consulted and their capacity to negotiate agreements. The aim of Eurofound’s studies on representativeness is to identify the relevant national and European social partner organisations in the sector. This study identifies the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT), representing employees, and the Employers’ Group of Professional Agricultural Organisations in the European Union / Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations in the European Union (GEOPA-COPA), representing employers, as the most representative European-level social partner organisations in the agriculture sector.

A green combine harvester works in a golden wheat field, while sheep graze in the foreground.
Read more about Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Agriculture sector – 2026

9 September 2026

Eurofound research paper

Mapping green behavioural public policy in the EU

This paper maps how far Member States have built capacity to develop and deploy such behaviourally informed policies. It finds substantial disparities across the EU, with a troubling pattern: the countries under the greatest transition pressure are often the least equipped to design the human-centred policies that would ease it.
A large group of cyclists riding together in a city, some carrying children in rear seats; a scenic backdrop of hills and buildings is visible.
Read more about Mapping green behavioural public policy in the EU

1 September 2026

Research report

Minimum wages in 2026: Annual review

Minimum wage setting across the EU has become an increasingly dynamic and closely watched policy area, shaped by the transposition of the EU Minimum Wage Directive and a decade of sustained real-terms growth in statutory rates. This report examines the wage-setting discussions that took place across Member States and Norway in 2025, focusing on the countries with and without a national minimum wage, the interplay between minimum wages and collective bargaining in low-paid sectors, and the growing role of indicative reference values in shaping national decisions.
Two women in a pet store: one holding a small white dog, the other handing over a brown paper bag. Shelves of pet products in the background.
Read more about Minimum wages in 2026: Annual review

31 August 2026

Research report

Involvement of employer organisations and trade unions in the European Semester in 2024–2025

This report examines the role of trade unions and employers’ organisations in shaping the medium-term fiscal structural plans and the 2025 annual progress reports. It analyses social partners’ involvement at national level with governments, as well as their engagement with the European Commission in fact-finding missions, country reports and country-specific recommendations, and assesses their participation in the broader European semester, including the new social convergence framework.
Three speakers at a podium in a conference room discuss the European Semester 2025 Spring Package, with attendees seated in the audience.
Read more about Involvement of employer organisations and trade unions in the European Semester in 2024–2025

Confident male potter with arms crossed standing outside ceramic shop by tunedin / Adobe Stock

The European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) 2024 provides a comprehensive picture of the everyday reality of women and men in today's world of work. Building on the long-established questionnaire, new questions were asked in this edition to cover the key policy and research agenda around the future of work, including the impact of COVID-19, digitalisation and decarbonisation at work. The results from the 2024 survey identify emerging issues and trends in the Member States and beyond.

Explore the EWCS 2024

Join the EU-wide digitalisation survey for social economy organisations

Eurofound has launched a study on digitalisation in the social economy across the 27 EU Member States. The survey is addressed to social economy entities in the EU and runs until 31 October 2026. Your insight helps build the evidence base for better policy and support.

Fill out the survey
Read more

Podcast and Blog

Explore content from Eurofound's blog and podcast series.

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Podcast episode
New
Episode 47
24 September 2026

Ireland in the EU: In conversation with Noelle O’Connell

Mary McCaughey,
Noelle O'Connell
Ireland in the EU: In conversation with Noelle O’Connell

In this episode of Eurofound Talks, Mary McCaughey speaks with Noelle O'Connell, former CEO of European Movement Ireland, Vice-President of European Movement International, and founder of Merrion Advisory. Together, they reflect on Ireland's evolving relationship with the European Union, the country's growing influence in European policymaking, and the challenges and opportunities facing Europe in the years ahead.

Recently published blog posts and podcast episodes

  • Podcast episode

    10 July 2026

    Employment and working conditions of the most vulnerable workers
  • Blog post

    5 June 2026

    Overheated and underprepared: How can we shield Europe's most vulnerable?
  • Podcast episode

    29 May 2026

    Behind the scenes of the European Working Conditions Survey
  • Podcast episode

    22 April 2026

    Are Europeans prepared for climate change?
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Eurofound logo

Eurofound is the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Eurofound is the tripartite EU agency providing knowledge to assist in the development of better social, employment and work-related policies.

About Eurofound

Topics

Eurofound's work focuses on topics in the areas of working conditions and sustainable work, industrial relations and social dialogue, employment and labour markets, as well as living conditions and quality of life.

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Topic
16 September 2026

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to machine-based systems designed to operate with varying levels of autonomy that infer, from the input they receive, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments

Recently updated topics

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Platform work
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Digitalisation
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Minimum wage
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Gender equality

Data and monitoring tools

Eurofound provides various monitoring tools, dashboards, databases and individual data visualisations.

See surveys & data

Highlight

Dashboard
Open in data catalogue
New dashboard

European housing dashboard

Recently added data items

  • Data table

    21 September 2026

    Percentage of children from the age of three up to the age of the start of compulsory primary education who do not participate in ECEC, selected Member States, 2024
  • Data visualisation

    21 September 2026

    ECEC participation rate of children who are AROPE and who are not AROPE by age group, EU27, 2016–2025 (%)
  • Data visualisation

    16 September 2026

    Share of new hires by occupational AI use, EU27, 2011–2025 (% of the age band’s hires)
  • Data visualisation

    16 September 2026

    Occupational AI use by employees aged 15–29 and 30–49, EU27, 2011–2025, indexed values

Surveys

Learn more about surveys

  • European Working Conditions Surveys (EWCS)

    Since its launch in 1990, the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) has provided an overview of working conditions in Europe.
    Rounds available
    202420212015
    Read more

  • European Quality of Life Surveys (EQLS)

    Eurofound’s European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) documents living conditions and people’s social situation, and explores issues pertinent to the lives of European citizens.
    Rounds available
    202620162012
    Read more

  • European Company Surveys (ECS)

    The European Company Survey (ECS) has been carried out regularly since its inception in 2004–2005 as the European Establishment Survey on Working Time and Work–Life Balance (ESWT).
    Rounds available
    2019201320092004
    Read more

  • Living and Working in the EU e-survey

    Since its launch in 2020, Eurofound's unique Living and Working in the EU e-survey has provided an overview of the ever-changing developments in living and working since the onset of the pandemic, through the recovery measures and during a time of constant change.
    Rounds available
    202620252024
    Read more

Events

Learn more about Eurofound's upcoming and past events.

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In-person event
External event

Meeting of the EU Employment Committee (EMCO)

24 – 25 September 2026Dublin, Ireland
Meeting of the EU Employment Committee (EMCO)

This is a 1.5-day informal meeting of the EU Employment Committee (EMCO). This meeting enables deeper policy exchange and strengthens collaboration, helping to shape and advance EU-wide policy and working priorities in the area of employment.

Other events

In-person event
External event

Joint Break the Cycle Conference

Date24 – 25 September 2026
LocationDublin, Ireland
Photo of Dublin city with Ha'penny bridge in highlight
See details : Joint Break the Cycle Conference
In-person event
Own event

Brussels Briefing: What is flexible working doing to our working lives?

DateThursday, 8 October 2026
LocationRésidence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040, Brussels, BE
A person with curly hair works on a laptop at a cafe, seated by a window with coffee and water on the table, surrounded by plants.
See details : Brussels Briefing: What is flexible working doing to our working lives?
In-person event
External event

Mental Health Ministerial Conference

DateThursday, 15 October 2026
LocationCork, Ireland
Aerial view of Cork city with colorful buildings, a river, and two prominent church spires at sunset.
See details : Mental Health Ministerial Conference
In-person event
Joint event

Joint Meeting of the Chief Medical Officers, Chief Nursing Officers and Chief Dental Officers

DateThursday, 15 October 2026
LocationDublin, Ireland
Dublin city along the river with glass buildings, a unique spiral structure, and the Samuel Beckett bridge under a clear blue sky.
See details : Joint Meeting of the Chief Medical Officers, Chief Nursing Officers and Chief Dental Officers
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