The Europe of the People?

For decades, the European Union has built much of its identity on an idea that goes beyond shared borders: putting people at the center. The so‑called “Europe of the people” is not just an institutional slogan; it is a political and social model that places citizens’ well‑being and the guarantee of rights at the heart of the project. But what does this idea actually mean, and why does it directly impact our daily lives?

Talking about the “Europe of the people” means talking about employment, education, equal opportunities, social protection, and access to basic services. It means understanding that economic growth cannot be separated from social justice, and that inequalities between territories or individuals affect Europe as a whole.

That is why, for decades, the European Union has promoted common policies to reduce poverty, foster social inclusion, and strengthen cohesion between countries and regions. Many initiatives related to training, job placement, youth support, the fight against exclusion, or assistance to vulnerable people are part of this European vision.

Thanks to this model, organizations like Action Against Hunger have supported people such as Almudena, who overcame her fear of the digital world and returned to job searching; José, who found a new job opportunity at over 50; Alicia, who started a business in her hometown; or Liliana, who rebuilt her life in Spain after surviving gender‑based violence.

A principle that lies at the heart of the European treaties

This social dimension of Europe is embedded in the treaties that underpin the functioning of the Union itself.

Article 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon, signed in 2007 and in force since 2009, places among the fundamental objectives of the Twenty‑Seven the fight against social exclusion and discrimination, as well as the strengthening of economic, social, and territorial cohesion. It also explicitly states that the Union “shall promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men, and solidarity between generations.”

Added to this is the European Pillar of Social Rights, approved at the Gothenburg Social Summit in 2017, which recognizes rights related to decent employment, social protection, equal opportunities, education, and healthcare. In other words: the social dimension is part of the core of the European project.

The 20 Principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights
1. Education, training, and lifelong learning
2. Gender equality
3. Equal opportunities
4. Active support for employment
5. Secure and adaptable employment
6. Wages
7. Information about employment conditions
8. Social dialogue and worker involvement
9. Work‑life balance
10. Healthy, safe, and well‑adapted work environment
11. Childcare and support to children
12. Social protection
13. Unemployment benefits
14. Minimum income
15. Old‑age income and pensions
16. Healthcare
17. Inclusion of people with disabilities
18. Long‑term care
19. Housing and assistance for the homeless
20. Access to essential services

Cohesion, solidarity, and poverty prevention

It is precisely this commitment to social cohesion that sets the European Union apart from other global models. While in other regions access to certain rights or services depends on each person’s economic capacity, Europe has developed common mechanisms to guarantee shared minimum standards of well‑being.

This logic is based on a transnational approach: when poverty, precariousness, or social exclusion increase in one territory, the consequences affect European society as a whole. And in economic terms, preventing social exclusion is more efficient than assuming the costs derived from poverty and structural inequality.

For this reason, the European Union has built policies aimed at preventing poverty, promoting inclusion, and reducing social and territorial imbalances among Member States. Cohesion is an economic, democratic, and stability issue.

A question that is increasingly present

However, the international context has changed profoundly in recent years. The war in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions, the energy crisis, and challenges related to security and competitiveness are reshaping the European Union’s priorities.

In this scenario, the following question is becoming more relevant: Will the social dimension remain a central priority for Europe?

The debate is significant, because the “Europe of the people” has historically been one of the elements that most clearly distinguishes the European model — a political construction based not only on markets or competitiveness, but also on solidarity, cohesion, and the protection of rights.

That is why, as the European Union debates the budget and priorities that will shape the next period (2028–2035), this question returns to the forefront.