Socio-economic sciences & the humanities (SSH)

Objective

Funding ‘Socio-economic sciences and the humanities’ (SSH) will contribute to an in-depth, shared understanding of the complex and interrelated socio economic challenges Europe is confronted with.

Why is it important?

Research in this theme will help us study and provide answers to questions related to:

• growth, employment and competitiveness;
• social cohesion, social, cultural and educational challenges in an enlarged EU;
• sustainability, environmental challenges, demographic change, migration and integration, quality of life and global interdependence.

What will be funded?

Emphasis will be given to the following activities:

Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge society:

• innovation, competitiveness and labour market policies;
• education and life-long learning;
• economic structures and productivity.

Combining economic, social and environmental objectives in a European perspective:

• socio-economic models within Europe and across the world;
• economic and social and cohesion across regions;
• social and economic dimensions of environmental policy.

Major trends in society and their implications - demographic change, reconciling family and work, health and quality of life, youth policies, social exclusion and discrimination;

Europe in the world - trade, migration, poverty, crime, conflict and resolution;

The citizen in the European Union - political participation, citizenship and rights, democracy and accountability, the media, cultural diversity and heritage, religions, attitudes and values;

Socio-economic and scientific indicators - the use and value of indicators in policymaking at macro and micro levels;

Foresight activities - the future implications of global knowledge, migration, ageing, risk and the emerging domains in research and science.