On December 11, 2025, researchers, policymakers, and social partners from across Europe gathered in Brussels for the Final Conference of the DEVCOBA project – Developing Collective Bargaining in the Care Sector.

The event explored how to improve job quality, strengthen collective bargaining, and address labour and skill shortages in long-term care and early childhood education and care.

The programme featured contributions from leading experts and EU institutions, including:

• Anna Mori (Project Investigator, University of Milan)
• Samantha Howe (EPSU)
• Hans Dubois (Eurofound)
• Flaviana Teodosiu (European Commission, DG Employment)
• Joel Le Derroff (European Commission, DG Employment)
• Eileen Rocard
• Manuela Galetto (Warwick Business School)
• Stefano Neri (University of Milan)

Discussions highlighted evidence from Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain, with a focus on extending bargaining coverage and improving job quality in the care sector.

The CELSI team was actively engaged throughout the day. Simona Brunnerová joined the roundtable, presenting insights from Slovakia alongside the project’s country researchers, and Lenka Hanulová participated in discussions and engaged with European partners on findings relevant to Slovakia.

CELSI Managing Director Marta Kahancová moderated a shared dialogue among social partners from the participating countries, facilitating reflections on working conditions, representation, and the future of care sector negotiations.

Slovak social partners were also represented, including: Jarka Kreškóciová (OMEP – Svetová organizácia pre predškolskú výchovu), Michal Gedaj and Danica Žehnajová (SOZZaSS – Slovenský odborový zväz zdravotníctva a sociálnych služieb).

The DEVCOBA project, funded by the European Commission – DG EMPL, contributes new comparative evidence and policy recommendations for strengthening collective bargaining and improving job quality in Europe’s care sector.

🔗 Learn more about the DEVCOBA project and explore country reports and case studies: https://celsi.sk/en/devcoba/

#DEVCOBA #CareSector #CollectiveBargaining #JobQuality #SocialDialogue #EPSU #Eurofound #EuropeanCommission #CELSI