European Centre of Competence in Professional Ethics (ECEPE)
Contributing towards the development of a more performing service economy and more cohesive society through the improvement of ethical qualifications and practices in a broad range of professions.
The objective of the European Centre of Competence in Professional Ethics (ECEPE) is to contribute to the development of a more performing service economy and more cohesive society in Southern European countries, in particular, Malta, through the improvement of ethical qualifications and practices in a broad range of professions.
To this end, the ECEPE aims at:
- Developing research in the field of professional ethics
- Developing initial as well as CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training in professional ethics
- Disseminating societal awareness on professional ethics towards professionals, decision-makers, clients/service users and society at large.
It brings together the strengths of several core Maltese and Europe-based partners and develops a range of activities.
The ECEPE is still under development. The core initiators stem from six complementary organisations and institutions:
- The Malta Federation of Professional Associations (MFPA), in particular through Benjamin Rizzo, its current President
- The University of Malta, in particular through Dr. Jean-Paul de Lucca , Director of the Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and Dr. David Fabri , Head of the Department of Commercial Law.
- The Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), in particular through Prof. Benoît Rihoux , Head of the Centre for political science and comparative politics (CESPOL)
- The University of Ljubljana, in particular through Prof. Bojana Lobe at the at the Chair of Social Informatics and Methodology (Faculty of Social sciences)
- The European Council of the Liberal Professions (CEPLIS), in particular through Prof. Theodoros Koutroubas , its current Director General and Senior Policy Adviser
- The Maltese Ministry for Education and Employment , under the authority of Minister Evarist Bartolo
Foreward by Hon Minister Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment
At a time when Citizens’ voices for a more accountable, participative and ethically-minded Union are ever multiplied, the initiative of the professions that traditionally occupy the role of the intermediary between the Citizens and the Sate, to reaffirm and make broadly known the principles on which their exercise must be based, is heartening. Their patients and clients, all of us, are empowered by these principles, as any abuse of power of control of information is put on the spot and a true sense of service to the society, to the Human being, is celebrated.
I am proud to share with all those reading these lines that our Country is aiming at becoming a pioneer in the struggle for a more ethical, principal-based approach to all matters relevant to education and employment. Our Presidency of the European Council, scheduled to be held during the first Semester of 2017, will have ethics as one of its flagships in all issues relevant to our Ministry’s responsibilities. The setting up of a Centre of Excellence in Professional Ethics in Malta is the fruit of collaboration between our Ministry, the Professional World and Academia. Its foundation will answer many issues relating to the teaching of applied professional ethics to graduates and will generally contribute to placing ethics in the centre of the debate, in these islands and Europe-wide.
Specialised research centres/networks in the field of professional ethics
- Ethics Network (Ryerson University, Canada)
- European Business Ethics Network (EBEN) (France)
- Centre for Professional Ethics at Keele (Keele University, UK)
- Centre for Professional Ethics (University of Central Lancashire, UK)
- Center for Applied and Professional Ethics (California State University, Chico, USA)
- Ethics Institute (Dartmouth College, USA)
- Institute for Business and Professional Ethics (IBPE) (DePaul University, USA)
- Center in the Study of Ethics in the Professions (Illinois Institute of Technology, USA)
- Hoffberger Center for Professional Ethics (University of Baltimore, USA)
- Institute for Applied and Professional Ethics (University of Ohio, USA)
- Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) (University of Indiana, USA)
Working Groups Report
The SP4SE project partners, led by Confprofessioni, have finalised the working group report, a document that summarises the key recommendations emerging from the discussion and analysis activities conducted during the project. The work focused on the social protection needs of self-employed workers and professionals, a topic that has become central in light of the critical issues that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. The recommendations are divided into three priority thematic areas: Support during health emergencies, with proposals for administrative simplification, payment moratoria, income support and mental health protection; Supplementary healthcare, focusing on accessibility, flexible insurance models, mental well-being and social dialogue; Income support, with the aim of ensuring protection mechanisms in the event of business suspension or significant reduction in income, including professional development programmes. The working groups saw the active participation of representatives of social partners and stakeholders from the professional world, who shared experiences and concrete proposals based on the evidence gathered during the project. The report identifies good practices at the national level and proposes transferable models to promote a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient social protection system, in line with Principle 12 of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The document represents an important step forward in strengthening social dialogue and developing policies that are more responsive to the needs of self-employed professionals. Read the report.
Enhancing Social Protection for Professional Self-Employed: Insights on the Role of Social Partners
The SP4SE (Social Protection for Self-Employed) project investigates social protection frameworks for self-employed individuals across EU Member States, particularly focusing on Professional Self-Employed (PSE)workers. It builds upon the European Pillar of Social Rights (2017) and the 2019 Council Recommendation on access to social protection, emphasising the role of social partners in shaping effective systems. The study highlights the fragmented and unequal protection for PSEs across the EU, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed systemic vulnerabilities. The second phase of the project analyses seven diverse EU countries—Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, and Romania—to assess the real-world conditions of PSE workers and the role of representative organizations. Through interviews with experts, policymakers, and professional association leaders, the study explores how social partners contribute to protection governance, representation, and policy development. A key finding is that well-organised professions, such as traditional liberal fields, benefit from structured social protection through professional funds or associations. In contrast, non-traditional or solo self-employed workers often lack representation, suffer limited access to benefits, and remain excluded from formal systems. The report argues that empowering social partners is essential for developing equitable and effective social protection schemes. Public institutions at both national and EU levels must support structured dialogue with these actors. Ultimately, the project aims to promote harmonised, inclusive policies that improve the living and working conditions of all self-employed workers and ensure intergenerational renewal in essential professions across Europe. Read the full report here.
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This project has been funded by the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).
