Ivailo Kalfin takes over as Eurofound Executive Director

Ivailo Kalfin begins his mandate as Executive Director of Eurofound today, having been approved by the Eurofound Management Board on 5 March and presenting his priorities for the position to the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee on 13 April.

Ivailo Kalfin, a qualified economist, has served two times as Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2005-2009 and 2014-2016) and has considerable experience in both international relations and employment and social policy. Mr Kalfin has also served as a Member of the European Parliament between 2009 and 2014, and has emphasised the importance of continued close cooperation between Eurofound and the European Parliament.

During his candidature for the position of Executive Director, Mr Kalfin outlined five key priorities for his tenure, these were: supporting the mainstreaming of Europe's green and digital transitions with the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, complementing the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan with evidence-based research of importance to policymakers at European and national-level, increased cooperation with international organisations and greater outreach to European Neighbourhood Policy countries, enhancing and expanding the capacity of social partners within the remit of the Agency, and raising Eurofound's profile among key stakeholders.

Speaking upon the assumption of his duties, Ivailo Kalfin said: 'I am very pleased to be beginning my post as Eurofound's Executive Director. I would like to acknowledge the sterling work of the Agency to date, and in particular its responsiveness to economic and social developments during the COVID-19 pandemic. I endeavour to further develop the work of the Agency under my mandate, strengthen its contributions to Europe's green and digital transitions and the economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure that all relevant stakeholders can benefit from the important evidence-based research that Eurofound provides.'

Commenting on the beginning of the mandate of the new Executive Director, Maria Jepsen, Eurofound Deputy Director, said: 'I am looking forward to working with Ivailo as part of Eurofound's Directorate. I am confident that, given his extensive policy and political experience - as well as his ambitious priorities for the Agency going forward - that Eurofound will continue its pivotal research, build upon its already important contributions to European policymaking, and enhance its relevancy for key stakeholders and citizens alike.’