The Social Protection Programme was contracted by the European Commission to support initiatives on the improvement of data for social protection policy and programming.

This included participation in the Social Protection Inter-Agency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B), and supporting the development of the Inter-Agency Social Protection Assessment – particularly the Core Diagnostic Instrument and the Public Works Programme tools. 

A concept paper was also produced for the European Commission to critically assess social protection indicators currently in use, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper provides guidance for European Commission staff on the selection and use of social protection indicators. Although the guidance is specifically developed for the European Commission, staff who are involved in the selection and monitoring of social protection indicators in other agencies will also find this paper of use. The paper also outlines how the European Commission can contribute to the global debate on social protection indicators for the SDGs within its own institutional mandate and institutional priorities.