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Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

About the PES Network

The European network of Public Employment Services was established following a Decision – amended in 2020 – by the Council and the European Parliament to maximise efficiency of public employment services (PES).

The network comprises all EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and the European Commission.

Discover the PES Network in three minutes

Mission

The PES Network aims to encourage cooperation between Member States within the areas of PES responsibility, in order to contribute to the implementation of the Union’s employment policies. This contributes to implementing the principles in the European Pillar of Social Rights, to the European Green Deal objectives and to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Objectives

The PES Network aims to:

  • compare PES performance through benchmarking
  • identify evidence-based good practices and foster mutual learning (individual PES practices can be found in the PES Repository and outputs from the network activities can be found in the PES Knowledge Centre)
  • promote the modernisation and strengthening of PES service delivery, including of the Youth Guarantee
  • prepare inputs to the European Employment Strategy and the corresponding national labour market policies.

Consult the PES Network - Minutes of Meetings to explore key discussions and outcomes of the Network's collaboration.

Public Employment Services

In EU countries, public employment services (PES) are the authorities that connect jobseekers with employers. Use the interactive map below to find a national public employment service.

Although structured differently in each country, all PES help match supply and demand on the labour market through information, placement and active support services at local, national and European level. 

Explore the PES Network and its activities

PES Network Board Meeting, Budapest 5-6 December 2024

The Network is governed by a Board, where each Member State and Commission are represented by a board member and an alternate board member. The Board meets twice a year (generally in the Member State which holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU) to conduct strategic discussions and take decisions on the activities of the Network.

Work programme 2025 - 2026

This page hosts a range of reports, papers and studies, that present a wide range of information and best practices on the organisation and services of Public Employment Services in Europe.

PES Network publishes 15 new PES practices in 2024

In this database you can find inspiring practices from Public Employment Services across Europe.

Harnessing the opportunities of AI for Public Employment Services

PES Network News covers the latest updates, trends, and developments in Public Employment Services across Europe.

PES Podcast logo

PESPod is the PES Network’s podcast, featuring guests discussing key European Public Employment Services topics.

AI Artificial Intelligence and Education technology concept. A man use laptops, Learn lessons and online webinars successfully in modern digital learning, Courses to develop new skills

PES Videos highlight key employment topics, best practices, and insights from Public Employment Services across Europe.

PES podcast

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