European Parliament

Yesterday, the European Parliament declared its support for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) by adopting a resolution on realizing its full implementation.

On 17 December 2013, the European Parliament adopted the 'Justice Programme' and the 'Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme' to be the major source of financial support in the field of justice, equality and fundamental rights.

On 15 January, the European Parliament adopted the revised Public Procurement Directive which recognises the specificity of social, health and other services provided directly to individuals. The renewed legislation encourages member states to consider quality, not only price, when awarding contracts for social services.

The European Parliament approved the Regulations on the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which include explicit support for the transition from institutional to community-based care.

A public hearing on the new Public Procurement Directive was hosted by MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen and MEP Nils Torvalds at the European Parliament on 13 November. The renewed legislation recognises the particularity of social services and guarantees wider autonomy to Member States to decide on the organisation and financing on social services.

AGE Platform Europe and its members launched their Manifesto for the EU elections during an event held at the European Parliament on 5th November, demanding an Age-Friendly European Union.