Chapter 12:
Beyond the research
Collaboration and community
In 2024, Eurofound’s work extended beyond research and policy to building a strong culture of collaboration with the local community, with partners across Europe and within the organisation itself. From environmental sustainability efforts in our offices in Dublin to public engagement across the EU, 2024 was a year of connection and commitment. Whether planting trees, hosting conferences, welcoming visitors or creating spaces for dialogue, these initiatives reflect Eurofound’s ongoing commitment to meaningful collaboration and to making a positive, lasting impact – within and beyond the world of work.
Working in partnership
Collaboration with other EU bodies and institutions remains a vital part of Eurofound’s work, helping to align research with EU priorities and amplify its policy impact. In 2024, Eurofound engaged widely with stakeholders across the EU, hosting expert webinars, Eurofound Talks podcasts, and Dublin and Brussels Briefings, while also welcoming numerous delegation visits to its Dublin offices. These interactions provided vital opportunities to exchange ideas, communicate research findings, and foster closer ties with EU institutions, national governments and social partners.
EU presidencies
Eurofound has now established itself as a key provider of information to the EU Presidencies.
Throughout 2024, Eurofound contributed to the Belgian and Hungarian Presidencies, providing background papers, steering notes and input for high-level meetings of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) and the Employment Committee (EMCO), and engaging in strategic dialogue with ministers and policymakers.
Areas covered included social protection, occupational safety and health, the Child Guarantee, employment and people with disabilities, youth integration and labour and skills shortages.
Collaboration with EU agencies
Eurofound also deepened its collaboration with other EU agencies in 2024. Notable examples include the joint report with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) on regional employment change and the geography of telework in Europe, and a joint action plan signed with the European Environment Agency (EEA). Together with the European Labour Authority (ELA), Eurofound co-hosted a joint event in Brussels on tackling labour shortages. These are just a few examples of the many joint initiatives carried out in 2024.
Eurofound’s Annual Lecture 2024
Eurofound’s 2024 annual lecture, co-hosted with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, was delivered by guest speaker Ivan Krastev, Chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia. The event was hosted was hosted by Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs & Defence.
Mr Krastev discussed political, social and economic drivers in Europe and how they might influence voters at the ballot box in the European Parliament elections.
Eurofound at the European Parliament
Eurofound made a powerful impact at the European Parliament with its exhibition, The Future of Living and Working in Europe.
Over the course of a week, more than 200 visitors explored the exhibition, taking part in interactive activities and discussions that highlighted key insights into Eurofound’s work.
Eurofound met with several key EU stakeholders, including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives from the European Commission, laying the foundation for future collaboration as the new parliamentary mandate takes shape.
The exhibition also served as a timely occasion to raise awareness around Eurofound’s forthcoming 50th anniversary in 2025.
Below are some pictures from the event.
Open House Dublin
Eurofound proudly participated with the Irish Architecture Foundation in Open House Dublin, part of a wider EU project, Open House Europe, hosting free architecture-led guided tours of Loughlinstown House, the conference centre and the exterior of the ‘new’ main building.
Below are some pictures from the event.
Virtual visits
As part of our Virtual Visits initiative, Eurofound organises exclusive online events with its experts as part of our ongoing efforts to reach out to the national-level stakeholders and ensure widespread dissemination and dialogue with respect to its research findings.
Eight virtual visits of national stakeholders took place in 2024. The highly topical theme of labour shortages and job quality figured prominently in the line-up, being the focus for the visits to Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Austria.
Labour shortages more generally were the focus for Luxembourg and Cyprus, while Romania’s visit looked at minimum wages and collective bargaining and Croatia looked at housing.
Visit of EU Heads of Mission
Eurofound, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ireland and under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, organised a visit of the EU Heads of Mission in Ireland to Eurofound.
Eurofound open day
Eurofound threw open its doors to its neighbours and the local community for its annual Open Day.
The event was an opportunity to showcase our work on living and working in Europe, show guests around our premises, and provide participants with an opportunity to meet and talk to the team.
Eurofound continues to strengthen its environmental sustainability efforts as part of the EU’s broader Green Deal ambitions.
From on-site initiatives to EU-wide pledges, the Agency is actively contributing to a greener future. These activities build on Eurofound’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, which includes accreditation under the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), the installation of solar panels and the establishment of an on-site apiary that supports biodiversity and pollination.
Below are some pictures from various events in 2024.
Eurofound staff took part in the European Commission’s pledge to plant 3 billion additional trees by 2030, joining Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and pupils from a local primary school to plant over 1,000 trees.
Eurofound staff took part in the European Commission’s pledge to plant 3 billion additional trees by 2030, joining Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and pupils from a local primary school to plant over 1,000 trees.
As part of Irish National Tree Week, Eurofound staff also planted 100 native trees on the Loughlinstown campus.
As part of Irish National Tree Week, Eurofound staff also planted 100 native trees on the Loughlinstown campus.
Eurofound joined the European Commission Representation in Ireland at the Bloom garden festival.
Eurofound joined the European Commission Representation in Ireland at the Bloom garden festival.
The garden at Bloom festival won a gold medal, as well as awards for Best Concept Garden and Best Planting.
The garden at Bloom festival won a gold medal, as well as awards for Best Concept Garden and Best Planting.
Webinars
Eurofound runs a series of webinars on hot topics during the year allowing participants to interact directly with our inhouse experts.
In May 2024, our experts hosted a live interactive webinar on Facing the future - Exploring the key challenges for Europe in election year, with a live Q&A.
Podcasts
The Eurofound Talks podcast series covers many key topics related to living and working in Europe today. Host Mary McCaughey talks to inhouse experts about the findings of their research, as well as guest speakers.
In 2024, we recorded the following podcasts:
Gender pay and employment gaps
Brussels and Dublin briefings
In 2024, Eurofound continued its impactful series of Brussels and Dublin briefings, offering key stakeholders timely insights into pressing policy issues.
Housing, a growing concern across the EU, was the focus of the fifth Brussels Briefing in April, where Eurofound presented findings on unaffordable and inadequate housing. This theme was revisited at the third Dublin Briefing in November, further amplifying Eurofound’s role in shaping the debate on housing policy.
More on the event: Addressing unaffordable and inadequate housing in Europe – What can we do?
These briefings are a chance for stakeholders to access experts and policymakers in an informal setting.
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