The four-year work programme 2005-2008 of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Changing Europe: Better work, better life, was adopted by the Administrative Board of the Foundation on July 2004.

The work programme looks ahead to the opportunities and challenges facing the new European Union (EU), building on existing strengths, areas of expertise and proven services. It highlights future challenges for social policy in Europe and pinpoints the knowledge gaps to be addressed by the Foundation and its research activities in the period following EU enlargement in May 2004. It is designed to support the work of the main social actors charged with the responsibility for planning and establishing better living and working conditions in Europe.

The programme identifies four key themes as priority areas for the Foundation's work: employment; work-life balance; industrial relations and partnership; and social cohesion. It also underlines the importance of a comprehensive and integrated approach to these policy issues and highlights the need for effective communication with the Foundation's key audiences across Europe.

Within the framework of this four-year work programme, the Foundation's Programme of work for 2005 was adopted on October 2004. This document defines the priorities for the first year: 2005, and presents a coherent set of activities aimed at supporting the key players in European social policymaking.