Training Academy on the European Semester

Samaritan International co-organised a Training Academy with SOLIDAR under the title „Understanding and engaging with the European Semester“, hosted by the Representation of the European Region Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino.

The Training Academy brought together members from both networks for two days of intensive training, exchange, and strategy building on one of the most influential EU governance processes: the European Semester. 

Despite its abstract and complex nature, the Training Academy succeeded in breaking down the process into concrete steps for engagement, both on European and on national level.

Why the Semester matters for civil society 

The European Semester is the EU’s annual cycle of economic and social policy coordination. Though highly technical, it has profound implications for social rights, welfare systems, education, and labour markets. Increasingly, access to EU funding, including the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is tied to compliance with Semester outcomes. 

For civil society organisations (CSOs), understanding this process is extremely important. It is an opportunity to make sure social priorities and rights are not sidelined by fiscal and economic concerns. The Training Academy provided members with the tools to read and follow the Semester critically, engage at the right moments, and connect EU-level processes with national struggles for social justice. 

As a result of the Training Academy, a toolkit will be produced to help members to actively engage in the Semester process. 

More info:

SOLIDAR report of the Training Academy 

Toolkit (Coming soon)