On 18 November 2025, the Care4Care project final conference took place in the heart of EU house for democracy. Hosted by the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (EPP), the meeting gathered 80+ participants in person and many more online. Co-organised by EFSI, EFFE, and Tour4EU, the event was designed as a platform to discuss how to improve job quality, working conditions, and the recognition of the care sector across Europe.

Setting the Scene

The opening session politically framed the event and introduced some of the key deliverables of the project. MEP Ferragut stressed the need for the EU to value and professionalise care work, to ensure fair wages and deliver accessible, affordable, and quality care. From the European Commission, Dana Carmen Bachman underlined how care is at the centre of the new Commission roadmap, and pointed out the ongoing efforts, such as improved data coordination, the upcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap, and the Union of Skills, among other initiatives on long-term care.

The Care4Care project was briefly presented by Prof. Maria Luisa Vallauri (University of Florence), highlighting the project goals, and key questions addressed. Hubert Kotarski (University of Rzeszow) and William Chiaromonte (University of Florence) presented two of the key deliverables: the training pathways and the web platform. The training pathways were designed to empower care workers through notably stronger social dialogue, and capacity-building on collective bargaining. The web platform was thought to provide clear, user-friendly information on care workers’ rights. More information on both deliverables can be found on the project’s website.

Decent Work in the Care Sector

The first panel moderated by Guilia Frosecchi (University of Florence) gathered Marianna Baggio (Eurofound), Leonor Tavares (European Federation for Services to Individuals), and MEP Benedetta Scuderi (Greens). This first panel unpacked major policy gaps affecting the care sector. In addition to the widespread prevalence of undeclared work in the sector, the discussion brought to light several other shortcomings: insufficient investment, weak representation, fragile social dialogue, and significant data gaps, particularly concerning invisible and informal carers, as well as gender-equality and migration dimensions.  The panel concluded with a  call for more investment, better qualification recognition, stronger protections for the workers, fair housing, and a more robust EU-level action.

Building Fairer Care Systems

Focusing on how gender and migration shape working conditions in the care sector, the second panel was moderated by Ferran Camas Roda (University of Girona), and featured Francisco Media (University of Seville) and Aude Boisseuil (European Federation for Family Employment and Home Care). The speakers highlighted systemic labour exclusion faced by migrant women, ,  particularly the isolation, economic dependence, and mental health impacts it creates. In addition, they also stressed the diversity of workers and employment relationships noting how this complexity challenges efforts to regularise and protect the workers. Finally, the panel underlined the crucial role of families and the need for legal recognition and financial support  to strengthen the sector.

Looking Ahead

Elena Ioannou (Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the European Union) closed the conference by reaffirming the strong commitment of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union towards social protection, high-quality long-term care, and active ageing. She called for stronger cooperation between Member States and social partners, insisting on recognising care as an investment and not a cost. Elena Ioannou highlighted that Europe’s growing care needs will be a priority for Cyprus 2026.

EFSI wishes to thank all the participants who joined the event, showcasing the important interest on this topic. On behalf of the CARE4CARE consortium, we are thanking all the speakers and specifically MEP Rosa Estaràs Ferragut for hosting this conference at the European Parliament.