Europäischer Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschuss
For the European institutions, the "Great Recession" officially began in March 2008, when the
word "crisis" first appeared in the Conclusions of the European Council (European Council, March
2008). In the four years since then, the European response to that crisis has not always been the
same; an analysis of European Union documents reveals at least three distinct stages.
The present study aims to provide a succinct but comprehensive account that will allow a better
understanding of the economic and social impact of the measures implemented in Greece. To this
end, the study takes stock of the hitherto implementation of the programme to elucidate its multiple
impact on fundamental social and employment issues.
The challenge now facing Europe is to develop an industrial policy combining technological and organisational innovation, capable of supporting a new model of growth based upon production using little energy and few resources and satisfying new societal needs.
This study addresses questions concerning the state of the Civil Society and how Civil Society Organisations have been affected by the Financial Crisis. Through analysis of data gathered from various reports and other documentation, in-depth interviews with a number of individual representatives from different organisations and thought-leaders in the field, and results of a questionnaire survey, this study reveals a diversity of responses from the broad field of civil society in Europe.
