PROJECT

TOPs aims to offer a teaching activity in the form of an international summer programme for early-career scholars (PhD and post-doc researchers) with backgrounds in sociology, law, and other social sciences. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity to critically analyse the EPSR from diverse perspectives over the next three years:

  1. In 2026, the programme will focus on the history of "Social Europe" and the role of the EPSR in shaping the (in)direct competencies of the EU in social matters;
  2. In 2027, it will examine the process of implementation of the EPSR in its first decade paying attention to the complex governance of the European social agenda;
  3. In 2028, it will address the future challenges facing Europe and the specific contribution of EPSR in the enforcement of “Social Europe”.

During each edition of the summer programme, a specific issue or target related to the Action Plan’s ‘three ambitious EU targets by 2030’ - employment, training, and poverty reduction - will be the focus of in-depth analysis and discussion as a case study.
Furthermore, the summer programme will be preceded by a series of online seminars dedicated to participants, aimed at providing an overview of the main rules and principles of EU law governing the exercise of the Union and Member States’ competences in social matters.
Alongside, another series of seminars will take place within the courses offered at the University of Bologna - Forlì Campus for Bachelor (BA) students.
TOPs aims also to involve civil society by making stakeholders at international, national, and local levels participate in the summer programme activities according to their role and expertise in implementing and dealing with EPSR’s principles; and by organising two workshops where stakeholders will engage with academics to foster shared knowledge and practice for the future of the development of the European social agenda in the light of EPSR’s principles.