In 2002, the European Commission issued its evaluation of the first five years of the European Employment Strategy. In drawing up this evaluation, the European Commission was able to draw on a set of independent assessments of the impact of the EES on national labour market policies commissioned in each Member State.
The Commission evaluation pointed to the significant improvement in EU labour market performance with more than 10 million new jobs created since 1997 and 4 million less unemployed. While conceding that it is clearly difficult to establish how much of this overall improvement is due to the introduction of the EES and how much to economic improvement, the evaluation highlighted significant changes in national employment policies, with a clear convergence towards the objectives set out in the EES policy guidelines. However, the EES is also seen to have a number of weaknesses, partly in relation to the activation of the most disadvantaged groups and to policy evaluation, and partly relating to new and emerging challenges. These include:
In a Communication published on 14 January 2003, the Commission presented an outline for the revised strategy with concrete objectives and targets. It highlighted three overarching objectives (full employment, quality and productivity at work, cohesion and an inclusive labour market) and insisted on a better delivery and governance of the EES.
A mid term review of the Lisbon strategy, including Communication to the spring European Council, took place in 2005. The European Commission presented a new strategy for the EU to create sustained economic growth and more and better jobs. The strategy aims to revitalise the Lisbon Agenda.
The communication focused on creating a European partnership for growth and employment, improve knowledge and innovation for growth, increasing the adaptability of workers and enterprises and the flexibility of labour markets and investing more in human capital through better education and skills.
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