TransEuroWorkS Project Explores Green Transition's Impact on EU Jobs
Leiden, Wednesday, 19 March 2025.
The TransEuroWorkS project investigates how Europe’s green and digital transitions affect employment dynamics and workforce internationalization, offering crucial insights for future policies.
Leadership and Scope
Led by Leiden University Assistant Professor Eduard Suari-Andreu and Professor Olaf van Vliet, the TransEuroWorkS project has secured €2.6 million in funding from Horizon Europe Pillar 2 [1]. The initiative brings together ten partners from nine different countries, establishing a comprehensive research network to examine the transformative effects of green and digital transitions on European employment [1].
Addressing Critical Labor Challenges
The research specifically focuses on identifying both beneficiaries and those disadvantaged by these transitions in the labor market. As Dr. Suari-Andreu explains, ‘We look at the winners and losers of these transformations in the labour market. Then we look at how the welfare state and social policy can mitigate the negative consequences and help smooth these transitions’ [1]. The project has already highlighted specific concerns, such as the impact on Germany’s automotive industry workers during the green transition and the emergence of precarious platform work in the digital economy [1].
Ambitious Data Collection Initiative
A cornerstone of the project is its upcoming European-wide survey, scheduled to launch in late March 2025. This ambitious data collection effort will target between 1,500 and 3,000 respondents across 15 different countries [1]. ‘It is a very critical moment for the project: we are now going to generate our own data,’ states Dr. Suari-Andreu, emphasizing the significance of this research phase [1].
Policy Impact and Future Implications
The project has already demonstrated its value in policy circles, with researchers presenting evidence-based findings that challenge existing narratives about migration’s fiscal impact in Europe [1]. This practical application of research findings exemplifies TransEuroWorkS’ commitment to informing and shaping future policy decisions regarding Europe’s evolving labor landscape [1].