The European Commission backs Spain's Inclusion Policy Lab and is open to studying ways of funding its continuity

The Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, at the High Level Conference on the European Pillar of Social Rights held in La Hulpe (Belgium)

The European Commission has announced to Spain that it will study ways to continue, not only with the advice, but also with the funding of the Policy Lab, or the Inclusion Policy Lab, whose results were presented by the minister Elma Saiz in the framework of the Belgian presidency of the European Union.

This is what Nicholas Schmit, Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, said at a bilateral meeting held in the framework of the High Level Conference being held in La Hulpe (Belgium) on 15 and 16 April. "Economic benefits, such as unemployment benefits, are not enough", while congratulating Spain on the work and results of a pioneering initiative that just a week ago presented great results to the Council of Ministers.

"Our approach to strengthening the European Social Shield is based on sound evidence-based public policies to improve efficiency, responsiveness and social impact in an increasingly changing labour market," said Saiz.

Handing over of the Decalogue to Commissioner Nicolas Schmit

The minister handed Nicolas Schmit the Decalogue of lessons learned at the Lab to serve as a guide for other European organisations and to inspire member states to design and develop similar initiatives.

It is committed to personalised attention and comprehensive actions in different areas, reinforcing investment in education, improving digital training and weaving community networks that act as levers for inclusion.

Presenting the results of the Inclusion Policy Lab

"We also underline the importance of social investment, not only as an instrument to reduce poverty and inequality, but also for the returns it generates through higher economic growth, productivity, jobs and wages. This initiative has been promoted jointly by Spain and Belgium and has been joined by the other states," said Saiz.

A clear example is the Inclusion Policy Lab linked to the Minimum Basic Income (IMV), a pioneer in the world, the results of which were presented today in La Hulpe: "For the first time, 34 randomised trials have been promoted in a coordinated manner by a Government. There is no precedent at the international level. This initiative positions Spain as a benchmark in the design and evaluation of public policies with the highest scientific standards.

With an investment of 212 million euros from the NextGenerationEU funds of the RTRP, The Ministry of Inclusion has enhanced 34 pilot itineraries in which more than 76,000 vulnerable people have participated (180,000 including their family members, who in many cases have received the interventions).

The randomised trial methodology, which is common in medical studies, has been used for this purpose. The aim was to find out which measures and actions are most effective, which do not work and to scale up best practices.

Evidence-based programmes with multiplier effect

"Coordinated by the Ministry but developed with 14 regional governments, 4 city councils and 16 third sector entities, this approach aligns with our vision of designing evidence-based inclusion projects. Beyond improving people's quality of life, it has the potential to generate a multiplier effect, reduce future costs and increase tax revenues as people integrate into the labour market," she told the debate.

Fulfilment of RTRP Milestone 351

With the presentation of the report, Spain has fulfilled milestone 351 of the RTRP (component 23).

"The evaluation of the pathways, carried out with the scientific support of two internationally renowned institutions, CEMFI and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), includes specific recommendations to improve the rate of access to a minimum income and to improve the effectiveness of social inclusion policies. We are proud to present them in Europe because they guide our way towards a more inclusive and prosperous future, as demanded by the European Pillar of Social Rights", she added.

Meeting with Hungarian State Minister Attila Fulop

The European day concluded with a bilateral meeting with the Hungarian Minister of State, Attila Fulop, who explained the priorities of Hungary's forthcoming presidency of the Council of the EU (July to December 2024).

Non official translation