This represents a breakthrough in creating a process of flexibility through reskilling. It also represents a challenge to Member States' systems and capacity. The next question is how we finance these commitments. The stronger emphasis on active, rather than passive, support does not mean more spending. It does mean smarter spending, better use of resources, by investment in the productive capacity of the whole workforce.
Costs are important.
But relieving costs in real terms means enabling more of the workforce to contribute. The key to the dilemma on social protection lies in higher employment. A high employment level is the only feasible way to make EU social protection systems more sustainable, since that is how revenue is increased and payments to those in need are decreased. The Danish example offers us inspiration in this. It offers proof, too, that restructuring public expenditure to shift finance towards a more active approach can not only address unemployment more effectively, but can help improve public finances themselves.