TransSOL’s four main objectives are listed in the following:
- Gather systematic data on contextual factors:
The crisis has changed the socio-economic, political and legal context of European solidarity, with different effects in various countries. TransSOL identified, measured and compared the inhibiting or beneficial impact of contextual factors upon European solidarity in different countries.
- Assemble a systematic and cross-national database on solidarity in Europe:
European solidarity at times of crisis is manifold in its forms and means. TransSOL mapped the broad range of existing practices and projects at the local, national and cross-national levels in order to present a detailed picture of solidarity initiatives and action cases across Europe.
- Develop a multidimensional data set that allows measurement and analysis of European solidarity at various levels:
TransSOL gathered and analysed data about attitudes and practices of solidarity at the levels of individual citizens, organisations and inter-organisational fields, and the mass media and the public sphere. This composite data set allowed for a better understanding of solidarity’s internal rationale, its conditioning factors and inherent dynamics, and, in particular, the effect of the crisis at all of these levels of solidarity.
- Identify best practices for European solidarity and develop evidence-based policy recommendations:
TransSOL sought to evaluate innovative measures and projects from practitioners’ and scientists’ points of view, and to improve existing practices. We also focused attention on potential policy solutions and suggested elements of a national and European legal framework which may be conducive to solidarity.