The European Cross-Border Associations Directive proposal: why does it matter for national social services?

For the first time ever, the European Union is developing specific legislation for non-profit associations. It is also done in the context of legislating around European cross-border initiatives that can be taken by associations. This is relevant for social services for several reasons:

- Many social services have the legal format of associations,

- social services have legal and administrative constraints when operating across-borders - people’s needs for social services do not have borders

- this initiative could open up further EU level initiatives on other not-for-profit legal forms such as mutual benefit societies and foundations.

 

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive on European Cross-Border Associations (ECBA Directive) that aims to facilitate cross-border activities of non-profit associations in the EU. While the European Parliament and governments are currently reviewing the Directive proposal, national not-for-profit social services and non-profit associations can also have a say with the on-going public consultation of the Commission. The European council of associations of general interest (CEDAG), the European Association of services providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) and Social Services Europe (SSE) are jointly organising a webinar to explain why this Directive proposal is important for national social services, and how they can act to make their voice heard. To do so, this webinar will be participative and interactive by giving priority to exchanges with participants.

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You can consult the programme here and the presentations here:

 

Mathieu de Poorter, CEDAG