The SOLIDUS project analyses in depth the acts of solidarity which are being developed across Europe, the extent to which they respond to dialogic and inclusive processes, the related outcomes and the policy developments. The project starts from previous findings on successful actions which are combating the crisis – by creating employment or improving access to health – through acts of solidarity. These acts are thus contributing to construct more inclusive and prosperous societies, by influencing at the macro-level (social inequalities) and micro-level (psychological wellbeing).

In this regard, the research aims to identify common elements among these acts in order to examine their transferability to different contexts. To cover this objective, effects of these actions in five social areas will be studied in depth: housing, education, employment, engagement and health. Simultaneously, special attention is paid on social investment policies which are supporting these initiatives.

SOLIDUS explores conceptually and empirically current and future expressions of European solidarity from an inter-disciplinary approach that integrates views from Sociology, Psychology, Economic Geography, Economy, Philosophy and Public Management. The project makes use of such outputs to integrate them with empirical evidences found in a range of social innovation, third sector’s and public management’s practices from a comparative perspective, in which different state and policy sector traditions are considered in reaching an understanding of these drivers and barriers. The added value of this comparative approach is that cross-national and cross-sectorial learning is facilitated, enabling the EU member states, and especially their policymakers and academics, to learn from one another. Moreover, it will help policymakers at the European level to develop policies and instruments that recognize the potential of solidarity to achieve societal goals through available mechanisms of policy innovation while improving the evidence-based character of their policies. Furthermore, the most ambitious moral and normative features, and thus critical, aspects related to solidarity (like social justice) are addressed in the various work packages. To date, such systematic, interdisciplinary and comparative research into solidarity is unique at European level.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 649489. This communication reflects the views of the CPS only and the Research Executive Agency cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.