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On 16 September 2020, Berlin joined the EUROCITIES campaign by signing a pledge to the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). Elke Breitenbach, Senator for Integration, Labour and Social Services signed the city’s commitment to actively support employment, as per principle 4 of the EPSR.

Berlin pledges to support unemployed citizens through its Solidary Basic Income Scheme:

• By the end of 2020, 1,000 unemployed Berliners will be able to take up a job in areas that benefit the whole of society and the public interest.
• The scheme will promote the acquisition of skills and will facilitate access to permanent employment.
• The city guarantees ongoing employment for citizens who do not transition to the regular job-market after 5 years.
• An investment of €167 million will be made for the next 5 years.

Berlin is strongly committed to fostering youth employment. To achieve this, the city has a dedicate, one-stop Youth Employment Agency with more than 600 expert staff. Berlin pledges to:

• Support people under 25 to obtain vocational qualifications and facilitate access to the labour market.
• Make this service available to refugees who are still waiting for a permanent registered address.

In 2019, 70,000 young people contacted the agency, and 10,000 more were approached by outreach officers.

Senator Breitenbach said: “The City of Berlin is convinced that a strong commitment to the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights is an important contribution to a more social Europe – especially in times of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will therefore continue to work at the local level for a stronger social dimension of the European Union.’