The G20 Social Policy Portal: Social Protection and Social inclusion is the result of a proposal by the Brazilian G20 Presidency, with the aim to enhance global collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the field of policies to promote social inclusion and social protection. The portal, endorsed by the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) and hosted by the ISSA and the ILO, provides structured access to reports and data resources that can effectively support evidence-based policymaking.

“Social policies and social protection are the foundation for social inclusion and hold the key for progress”, said the ISSA President, Dr Mohammed Azman, in his address to the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers meeting on 25 July 2024. He expressed strong support to the words of the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, regarding the pivotal role of integrated social policies for resilience and a just transition.

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Social policies and protection are complex and multi-dimensional areas and policy action must be taken in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment. In this context, evidence-based policymaking and implementation as well as international learning opportunities are of paramount importance. The new G20 Social Policy Portal therefore provides structured access to relevant information for policymakers and practitioners, while acting as a flexible knowledge base adapting to different G20 Presidencies’ priorities.

Priority topics of the portal

In consultation with the G20 Employment Working Group, gender equality and non-discrimination, protection of platform workers and benefits/services for children and families were chosen as topics covered for the initial launch. In the time to come, the portal will also cover migrant worker protection, youth employment, old-age pensions, services for persons with disabilities, health, and occupational safety and health. Users can explore links to databases, websites, reports, G20 documents and presentations.

While today marks the portal’s debut, it remains a work in progress building on a commitment to expand knowledge across all priority topics, in collaboration with the Employment Working Group, G20 governments and partners. As G20 Presidencies change hands, the portal will adapt to evolving topical priorities and challenges in the fields of social protection and inclusion.

The ISSA has been a knowledge partner of the G20 Employment Working Group for a number of years on key topics linked to social policy and social protection, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, developing policy principles on social protection, extending social security and providing social protection for platform and gig workers in collaboration with the ILO and the OECD.

The European Union supports and complements the Member States' activities in the fields of social inclusion and social protection

The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 key principles and rights essential for fair and well-functioning labour markets and social protection systems. The Pillar represents the beacon guiding the EU towards a strong social Europe that is fair, inclusive and full of opportunities in the 21st century. The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan seeks to turn the Pillar principles into concrete actions to benefit citizens.

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The Action Plan put forward three 2030 targets in the areas of employment, adult education and poverty, building on the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The 2030 poverty target aims at reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, out of which at least 5 million children. The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan also announced a number of initiatives to support the implementation of the Pillar principles. 
In the area of social protection and inclusion, relevant initiatives include:

the Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee, 
proposal for a Council Recommendation on minimum income,
a European Platform on Combating Homelessness,
an EU report on access to essential services, an initiative on long-term care,
a High Level Expert Group to study the future of the welfare state,
a guidance on the use of ex ante distributional impact assessment.
Policy Monitoring and Coordination
Social Scoreboard
To monitor the implementation of the Pillar, an updated Social scoreboard was put forward by the European Commission in the beginning of 2021 and endorsed by the Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs of the European Union in June 2021.

The Social scoreboard reflects the Pillar structure and contains a dedicated set of indicators in the area of social inclusion and protection. The headline indicators include the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion – the indicator used for the 2030 poverty target.
The European Union supports and complements the Member States' activities in the fields of social inclusion and social protection encompasses a broad range of policies to combat poverty and social exclusion, modernise social protection systems and promote the social inclusion of specific groups, including children, persons with disabilities and homeless people.