Work vs. welfare
The complicated and very diverse issues of work and welfare across Europe have been challenging policymakers to find ways to improve European society's well-being. In this context, the EU-funded project 'Reconciling work and welfare in Europe' (Recwowe) aimed to consolidate innovative research on the topic by creating a network of knowledge. It investigated the various types of tension inherent in the dynamic between work issues and welfare, with particular focus on labour market considerations and social security issues. One type of tension that the project investigated covered the need for labour market flexibility versus increased social security for individuals and families. It also identified the need to balance tension between labour market flexibility and family life in all its evolving forms. Another important issue was the friction caused by creating more jobs yet maintaining or enhancing quality of existing employment. The fourth and last type of tension investigated underlined the relationship between old or industrial welfare state programmes and newer job positions. After examining these four important dichotomies, the project team built a database dubbed the European Data Centre for Work and Welfare. In parallel, it studied sociopolitical aspects to refine welfare states and labour markets. Another important project milestone was the promotion of new partnerships based on novel combinations of disciplines and experts from different regions. Recwowe successfully established a solid network that shares the knowledge that has emerged from its studies on types of tension as well as from other initiatives. It organised dedicated training schemes for students and professionals, consolidating and publishing crucial data on work and welfare. This important information will go a long way to supporting new, innovative policies and solutions that will bridge the gap between employment and welfare needs. The results have been published in a Working Papers Series, and in twenty five books (Palgrave Macmillan, OUP, P.Lang etc.), or special Issues.
