Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TransSOL (European paths to transnational solidarity at times of crisis: Conditions, forms, role-models and policy responses)
Période du rapport: 2016-06-01 au 2018-05-31
In light of this, a nuanced and in-depth assessment of European solidarity in times of crisis is crucial for scientists, policymakers and society. TransSOL was dedicated to this objective. More specifically, TransSOL concentrated on the fields of unemployment, disabilities and migration, looking at eight European countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It pursued three overarching aims: First, it aimed to map and study solidarity in Europe by means of cross-national analyses focusing on individual citizens, organised civil society and public claims-making in the media. This way, TransSOL furnished a rigorous and comprehensive analysis of transnational solidarity in Europe in its various forms, allowing us to develop a better understanding of the multifaceted phenomenon of solidarity. In addition, the project aimed to gather systematic data on contextual factors and engage political and legal analyses in order to ascertain the influence of the socio-economic, political and legal context on solidarity, in particular the impact of the crisis. Lastly, it pursued the aim to identify and develop best practices of transnational solidarity, draft evidence-based policy recommendations and engage proactive dissemination and communication activities.
The overall findings of TransSOL seem to suggest that the future of European solidarity is uncertain: Solidarity is enshrined in the legal frameworks of Europe, in the values cherished by its citizens and in the activities of civil society organisations. However, ‘Europe’ does not seem to be the primary target and reference point of this solidarity. This is not necessarily disconcerting since our results still indicate that solidarities at different levels are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary. Citizens and civil societies tend to act locally, but they are thinking in European categories. An issue of concern are the regressive tendencies in the social, political and legal environment of civic solidarity where retrenchments were reported for all three areas of concentration. The momentum of public solidarity that came with crises lacked longevity because of a lack of adequate institutional responses and public policies.
Beyond its research objectives, TransSOL was also devoted to identifying and developing best practices of European solidarity. We evaluated innovative measures and initiatives from the practitioners’ and scientists’ points of view with the aim of contributing to the improvement of existing projects and practices, thereby generating role models or pilot practices of local and transnational solidarity. In particular, TransSOL’s sixth work package was explicitly directed towards evaluating exemplary pilot cases from selected civil society organisations in order to draw lessons about good practices. Findings were presented in a summary report, a guide on transnational solidarity, a policy brief, a wikisite and a documentary video. They were also discussed in roundtables and public events organised within TransSOL. Over the course of the whole project, the main project website and the websites of the national research teams contributed to the communication of TransSOL research. Additionally, news was fed into social media accounts (Facebook, twitter), into conventional presswork and the TransSOL newsletter. Finally, the consortium also engaged in creative measures of communication by means of an artistic contest on transnational solidarity among young Europeans, and a documentary video on the same topic.
The project does and will have impact in at least three areas: (a) TransSOL identified social needs and explored the organised practices of transnational solidarity that respond to them; (b) it improved the problem-solving capacity of civil society actors and policymakers by disseminating our research findings and conclusions, and (c) it contributed to the empowerment of citizens and civil society through participation in generating and exchanging knowledge, primarily by conducting roundtables and other forms of networking and exchange. Against this background, TransSOL does and will deliver ground-breaking insights, also because the eight countries under examination represent very different (socio-economic, political and legal) contexts, allowing for a systematic comparison of the differential impact of crises and the related public and policy responses regarding solidarity. Overall, TransSOL does and will contribute to the support that guides the European integration process towards a more resilient and sustainable European society.