Europe’s economic outlook is moderate at best. There are a range of external factors at play, including the energy shock as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and a more protectionist global trading system. But there are also home-made problems that are dragging on growth and productivity, reaching from the inadequate integration of markets, and a lack of innovation vis-à-vis the US and China to the rapidly ageing European societies. A path out of the economic hardship is that Europe forges its own economic policy which addresses these issues and strengthens the single market (e.g. outline in the “More than a Single Market” by Enrico Letta). This session will discuss how and what a progressive response may entail to strengthening social progress and economic security for Europe’s citizens.