The coordination of EU policy-making in relation to social inclusion in Malta

Abstract

Since Malta's accession to the European Union, the coordination of EU policymaking in relation to social inclusion policy has changed and developed to meet and adapt to the demands posed by the EU. Moreover, during the period 2004 and 2012, changes in Ministerial portfolios at a national level have also influenced social inclusion policy coordination, thus impacting on the ownership of the National Strategic Report for Social Inclusion and Social Protection. Other political and administrative changes have also shaped the coordination process throughout the past eight years of EU membership. This study explores the roles of various stakeholders, including civil society organisations, in the coordination of social inclusion policy. It highlights the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of this coordination process, and assesses the participation of civil society organisations in the formulation of policymaking. It confirms that coordination processes are in line with the objectives of the Open Method of Coordination, which is the mechanism for coordinating social inclusion policy. These objectives include exchange of knowledge and learning and sharing of good practices among the EU Member States. On the other hand, new objectives have emerged in 2010 following the birth of the EU 2020 Strategy which has brought about an overhaul in the monitoring, implementation and reporting of social inclusion policy.