About the EEO

SYSDEM Network

Aims

The aim of the SYSDEM network is to report on employment and labour market policy developments and statistical trends and to provide research and evaluation services to the European Commission.

History

The creation of the SYSDEM network in 1989 was based on an information agreement between the European Commission and the EU Member States. The original aim of SYSDEM was to collate and report on evaluations and research conducted assessing the impact of labour market policy and the development of the labour market at a national level. The network's focus subsequently shifted to addressing thematic policy issues relating to the priorities of the European Employment Strategy and providing ad hoc advice to the European Commission. More recently, the SYSDEM network has also become involved in providing advice and analysis of the National Lisbon Reform Programmes (EU-27), as well as other specific policy issues.

Activities

SYSDEM consists of a network of correspondents from leading independent research institutions in the Member States assisted by the Core Team. The SYSDEM experts maintain access to all relevant public documentation at national level and provide regular information covering both labour market and policy developments.

Twice a year, the network provides thematic reviews on a specific policy issue defined by DG Employment, Equal Opportunities and Social Affairs. These reports are collated, edited, and translated by the Core Team. The reviews are published electronically and in paper form.

Four times a year, the network provides quarterly reports on key employment and labour market developments in the countries covered by the EEO. The executive summaries of these quarterly reports are produced by the Core Team and are published on the EEO website.

Each year, the network provides assessments of the National Lisbon Reform Programmes in the 27 EU Member States.

The Core Team also responds to requests for services from the European Commission, giving ad hoc advice on specific labour market policy issues and identifies the SYSDEM experts most suited to assisting the Commission in addressing certain policy issues.

Members of the SYSDEM network meet once a year to discuss thematic labour market issues as well as Commission priorities for their work.

Members

Members of the EEO SYSDEM network