Integrating Diversity in Social Dialogue

Strengthening the EU’s Labour Market in the Digital and Green Age

By non-standard work, we refer to temporary employment, part-time work, on-call work, disguised employment, and dependent self-employment. These workers are often excluded from social dialogue processes and lack the same protections and opportunities to voice their concerns as permanent employees.

This project aims to explore the needs, interests, and motivations of non-standard workers in engaging with social dialogue. Additionally, we seek to assess the capacity and willingness of social partners to integrate these workers into existing dialogue structures.

Researchers from Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia and United Kingdom participates. The project started in February 2025 and will last for 48 months.

The project is divided into several work-packages. See "Project overview" for more details.

The leaders of the work-packages met in Oslo in February.

First row from left: Sissel C. Trygstad, Fafo (head of project) | Lorraine Ryan, University of Limerick | Kristine Nergaard, Fafo | Trine Pernille Larsen, University of Warwick | Marianne Jenum Hotvedt, University of Oslo.

Second row from left: Emily Erickson, University of Warwick | Marta Kahancová, CELSI | Maarten Keune, University of Amsterdam | Roberto Pedersini, University of Milano.

Third row from left: Anne Mette Ødegård, Fafo | Anne Hatløy, Fafo | Kristin Alsos, Fafo.

Commissioned by the European Union

Full name of project: Integrating Diversity in Social Dialogue: Strengthening the EU’s Labour Market in the Digital and Green Age (INTEGRATE-DIALOGUE)

Funding: Horizon Europe Social Dialogue In The New World of Work (CL2-2024-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-05).

Project overview

Work packages 1–6

Integrate Dialogue - WP1: Conceptual and analytical framework

What are the main arguments for including non-standard workers in social dialogue?

In general, the rationale for social dialogue is fairness and effectiveness.

In the first work-package we will elaborate elements of social dialogue and link them to different business models.

Moreover, find out how national and sectoral institutional frameworks are decisive for the inclusion of non-standard workers in social dialogue and the outcomes.

The work package is headed by Sissel C. Trygstad (Fafo) and Kristin Alsos (Fafo)

Integrate Dialogue - WP2: Legal framework: obstacles, facilitators and new strategies

The purpose of this work package is to identify legal obstacles that need to be addressed to for social dialogue to be realized for non-standard workers.

The analysis also aims to deepen understanding on how the interplay between EU and national frameworks of social dialogue is affected by national systems. This will provide a basis to suggest legal strategies to strengthen and broaden social dialogue on different levels and in different countries.

The work package is headed by Marianne J. Hotvedt, University of Oslo The work package is headed by Marianne J. Hotvedt, University of Oslo.

Publications

Legal framework: obstacles, facilitators and new strategies

Part 1: Existing facilitators and obstacles in national law. Analytical framework for national reports

Marianne Jenum Hotvedt & Natalie Videbæk Munkholm | 16 January 2026

Integrate Dialogue - WP3: Non-standard workers as peripheral workers in standard business models

WP3 will cover NSWs in traditional business models, where standard and NSWs coexist. In this WP, we will include studies in Norway, Ireland, Italy and Belgium, to investigate potential variations connected to different employment and IR regimes.

In this work package, the situation for non-standard workers in traditional business models are under scrutiny. What are their needs and motivations for and experiences with social dialogue?

Women and migrants are overrepresented among non-standard workers, and it is important to identify issues that are of specific relevance for these groups. Additionally, the distributional costs of including non-standard workers, particularly in the trade unions, will be examined.

This will include studies in Norway, Ireland, Italy and Belgium.

The work package is headed by Lorraine Ryan, University of Limerick.

Integrate Dialogue - WP4: Non-standard worker as the core

Novel models for workers mobilisation might include various grass-root initiatives, online communities or different initiatives from unions, employers, NGOs or private companies. What are the conditions for social dialogue in business models that predominately have non-standard worker as a common strategy?

First, the interests and needs of non-standard workers will be identified, as a precondition for collective mobilistation and representation. Secondly, investigate strategies of different types of collective actors (like unions, associations and networks), and identify new initiatives and channels for representation of non-standard workers.

This workpackage is headed by Roberto Pedersini, University of Milano.

Integrate Dialogue - WP5: Novel models for voice and representation

Novel models for workers mobilisation might include various grass-root initiatives, online communities or different initiatives from unions, employers, NGOs or private companies.

These might have different degrees of institutionalisation and aims. This work package will explore examples of alternative and innovative forms of voice, representation and social dialogue among non-standard workers.

The work package is headed by Trine Larsen, University of Warwick

Integrate Dialogue - WP6: Lessons for policy and practice

Novel models for workers mobilisation might include various grass-root initiatives, online communities or different initiatives from unions, employers, NGOs or private companies.

This work package aims to develop new strategies for adjusting social dialogue structures to integrate the needs and interests of non-standard workers.

The work will be based on the knowledge produced in the former work packages.

As a result, it will be established an open policy toolbox with concrete instruments, taken into account the challenges surrounding gender, migration status, ethnicity, cross-border employment and workers with disabilities.

The work package is headed by Marta Kahancová, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).

News

January 2026 | Strengthening Social Dialogue through Law

What are the legal obstacles and tools for non-standard workers to access social dialogue? This is one of the questions in the Fafo-led research project Integrate Dialogue, financed by the EU Horizon programme.

One of the work packages in this project, led by Professor Marianne J. Hotvedt (University of Oslo), centres on the legal frameworks for inclusion in social dialogue. More specifically, the legal professionals explore how national and EU-level legal frameworks interact with different national systems of social dialogue.

“The aim is not only to understand these complex legal environments, but also to identify concrete legal strategies that can strengthen and broaden social dialogue to include non-standard workers at multiple levels” says Hotvedt. She continues “it is important to be aware whether the legal system of social dialogue leaves a group of workers at the margins”.

What has been done in 2025?

In 2025, the first analytical report was published with the title Legal framework: obstacles, facilitators and new strategies, written by Marianne Jenum Hotvedt and Natalie Videbæk Munkholm.

The report focuses on national legal frameworks and asks the following question: How do existing laws facilitate or hinder access to social dialogue for non-standard workers? To answer this, the authors have developed a shared analytical framework, which will guide five in-depth national studies from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy and the UK. These national reports will feed into a comparative analysis, allowing the researchers to identify both common patterns and key differences across countries.

What comes next?

The findings from the report will now be taken further in the next phases of this work package. First, the focus will shift to EU-level measures and their interaction with national law. Thereafter, we will examine how the interplay between regulatory levels affects social dialogue in practice, and finally, we will bring the analysis together in overall conclusions and reform recommendations.

The aim of WPII is to contribute to a more cohesive, effective and legally robust environment for social dialogue, where non-standard workers are not left at the margins. Through careful legal analysis and concrete reform proposals, the aim is to support social dialogue that reflects the realities of today’s changing labour markets.

Strengthening Social Dialogue through Law

Fafo.no | 28 January 2026
Project introduction during the ILERA conference in Durham

Linkedin | 5 September 2025

Researchers and project partners

Sissel C. Trygstad

Fafo | Head of project

Kristin Alsos

Fafo | Head of research

Kristin Jesnes

Fafo | Researcher

Kristine Nergaard

Fafo | Researcher

Sigurd M. Nordli Oppegaard

Fafo | Researcher

Anne Mette Ødegård

Fafo | Senior Researcher

Trine Pernille Larsen

The University of Warwick | Professor

Lorraine Ryan

University of Limerick | Associate professor

Maarten Keune

University of Amsterdam | Professor

Marta Kahancová

Central European Labour Studies Institute | Associate professor

Roberto Pedersini

Università degli Studi di Milano | Professor

Marianne Jenum Hotvedt

Universitetet i Oslo | Professor

Anna Ilsøe

Københavns universitet | Associate Professor

Valeria Pulignano

University of Leuven | Professor

Emanuele Menegatti

Universita Di Bologna | Professor

Mijke Houwezijl

Tilburg University | Professor

Nicola Countouris

UCL Faculty of Law | Professor

Natalie Videbæk Munkholm

Syddansk Universitet | Professor

Partners

UCL Law

Publications

Legal framework: obstacles, facilitators and new strategies

Part 1: Existing facilitators and obstacles in national law. Analytical framework for national reports

Marianne Jenum Hotvedt & Natalie Videbæk Munkholm | 16 January 2026

Project details

Project leader: Sissel C. Trygstad
Commisioned by: Horizon Europe
Start date: February 2025
End date: January 2029
Sustainable development goal: 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all

The role of the advisory board will be to critically review the work plan, the methods of each work and the major deliverables.

One of the aims is to develop links and sustained partnerships with other research groups.

Prof. Jon Erik Dølvik, Fafo
Dr. Karen Jaehrling, Head of Research Department, University of Duisenberg Essen
Peter Kerckhofs, Research Manager, Eurofound
Salvo Leonardi, researcher at the Fondazione Giuseppe Di Vittorio (FDV)
Torsten Müller, senior researcher at ETUI
Barbara Bechter, Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, Durham University Business School
Aurora Trif, associate professor in employment relations, Dublin City University Business School.

To ensure relevance and validity, involving stakeholders at different stages of the project is essential. They will contribute feedback and reflect on findings.

The following have (so far) agreed to be stakeholders:

European Trade Union Conference (ETUC)
European Public Service Union (EPSU)
The European Services Workers Union - UNI Europe
European Arts & Entertainment Alliance (EAEA)
International Road Union
SGI Europe
Norwegian Trade Union Confederation (LO)
Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)
Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees (Fagforbundet)
The United Federation of Trade Unions (Fellesforbundet), Norway
Norwegian Union of General Workers (Arbeidsmandsforbundet)
Norwegian Federation of Service Industries and Retail Trade (NHO Service og Handel)
Trade union branch of Foodora, Norway,
3F union in Denmark
Confederation of Danish Industry (Dansk Industri)
Fondazione Giuseppe Di Vittorio, Italy,
Acas – public body offering free advisory, conciliation and arbitration service for employers and workers in the UK.
The Irish Business Employers Confederation (IBEC)
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)

Other stakeholders might be invited.

EU Horizon Sister Projects

FUTOURWORK is a Horizon Europe-funded project dedicated to creating a fairer, more inclusive tourism and hospitality sector through improved representation of workers and more effective dialogue among employers, unions and governments.

The project addresses the digital transformations challenging the sector, such as increasing gender inequality and job insecurity.

During this time of technological change, FUTOURWORK will provide empowering solutions through accessible tools and legal resources. Beyond its 3.5-year duration, it will leave a legacy of enhanced social justice in tourism and hospitality.

EGRUiEN is a multi-disciplinary and multi-level research project providing an original and comprehensive analysis of the ability of Europe’s social dialogue institutions to navigate the labour market transformations resulting from the ongoing green and digital transitions, to protect workers within (or from) non-standard forms of employment and ensure socially and economically just outcomes.