Welfare states are at a critical turning point. The development of welfare systems was one of the defining characteristics of the 20th century, especially in Europe. However, in times of change, it is important to re-think “the welfare state” with a programme of innovative research designed to ask, and answer, fundamental questions about the design, delivery and experience of welfare in the 21st century. It is for this reason that New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Co-operation in Europe (NORFACE) network launched a major transnational programme on the topic of Welfare State Futures, covering five main themes:

• People and the Welfare State
• Inequalities, Diversity and Welfare States
• Rethinking the Economics of the Welfare State
• The Future Politics of the Welfare State
• Shifting Responsibilities for Welfare

The programme is funded by 15 NORFACE partners and the European Commission, and finances 15 large research projects comprising 60 principal investigators and nearly 200 researchers. More information can be found on the Welfare State Futures and NORFACE websites.
Our Final Conference will provide a forum for project leaders and investigators to present central findings of this research and discuss them with international experts from both scientific and policy perspectives.

Participation is by invitation only.

Organiser: Prof. Ellen M. Immergut (EUI – Department of Political and Social Sciences)

Programme