SHIELD – Social Dialogue for Crisis Management and Resilience in Strategic Industrial Sectors

The SHIELD project addresses the growing need to strengthen the role of social partners in managing complex and overlapping crises across Europe. From supply chain disruptions and trade conflicts to geopolitical instability and ongoing war, key industrial sectors such as energy, metals, and raw materials are facing significant pressure.

In this context, SHIELD aims to reinforce social dialogue as a critical tool for resilience, continuity, and inclusive governance. The project equips trade unions and employer organisations with the knowledge, tools, and coordination mechanisms needed to better anticipate and respond to crisis situations.

Bringing together partners from Poland, France, Portugal, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Moldova, SHIELD focuses on both national and European levels. Its activities include research on social dialogue in times of crisis, capacity-building initiatives, and the development of key outputs such as National Action Plans, EU-level policy recommendations, and a Resilience & Security Action Plan.

By strengthening cooperation between stakeholders and integrating its results into European social dialogue structures, SHIELD contributes to more resilient industries and more effective, participatory governance across Europe.