EAPN - European Anti Poverty Network

Social benefits aim to provide people with the conditions for a dignified life. A society where everyone in need receives the aid they are eligible for is a vision of greater justice. 🚨 However, this is far from today's reality. Gaps between policies and people's daily lives prevent many from accessing support, and digitalisation adds new layers of challenges, further increasing non-take-up rates. As a result, many people in need of social benefits are left without access. ⌛ We must continue advocating for high-quality, face-to-face services that support individuals to ensure people receive the benefits they need. #DigitalInclusion #NonTakeUp

In December, EAPN - European Anti Poverty Network hosted the workshop "Making Work a Safe Road Out of Poverty" in collaboration with the The Adecco Group. This meeting aimed to be a reflective journey that would raise awareness about the complexity of poverty, including in-work poverty, with employers. This rich exchange was crucial to highlight the multi-dimensional interplay of work and poverty, and it also served as an opportunity to create synergies for future actions. We had the privilege of welcoming esteemed speakers, including Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Mr. Olivier Bontout from the European Commission (DG Employment), and Andrea Garnero, OECD - OCDE Coordinator for the Green Transition. Their insights set the stage for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion. The event also featured thematic sessions addressing key aspects of in-work poverty. These sessions were led by Alex Quinn (European Youth Forum), who focused on work precarity, Jo Bothmer (EAPN NL), who explored work intensity, Helder Ferreira (EAPN ES), who addressed decent wages, and Andrew Hayes (ATD Fourth World), who discussed the discrimination faced by people experiencing poverty. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Renata Krause (EAPN DE) and Gunou mahmoud (EAPN NL) for courageously sharing their testimonies on in-work poverty. Their personal stories added a vital human dimension to the discussions, grounding our reflections in lived experience. Finally, we express our gratitude to the The Adecco Group in particular to Bruce Roch (Adecco Inclusion Global Head), and the companies (SUEZ,BNP Paribas, Inditex,ISS Facility Services Belgium & Luxembourg). EAPN - European Anti Poverty Network and The Adecco Group are looking forward to continuing these exchanges in 2025, building out [concrete]collaboration opportunities. Interested to join us, to get involved in the discussions? Get in contact with Bruce Roch or Juliana Santos Wahlgren (she/her). The Adecco Group: Bruce Roch, Menno Bart, Laure Joachim BNP Paribas: van Vliet Delphine Inditex: Amélie Ducrès ISS Facility Services Belgium & Luxembourg: Florence Thuin SUEZ: Benoît Bonello, Amélie Rambaud

✨As we look forward to an exciting and busy year ahead—one where we will tirelessly advocate for a robust EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, advance the work of the newly approved EP Intergroup on Fighting Poverty, and continue centering the voices of people experiencing poverty through an inclusive, participatory and intersectional approach—we want to take a moment to reflect on 2024. ⭐This past year brought significant international changes and challenges that will undoubtedly influence the years to come. It was also a year of growth for EAPN as an organisation, marked by invaluable learnings that will shape our path forward. 💫Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we step into 2025 with renewed determination and hope to contribute for systemic changes.

The European Parliament’s Intergroup on Fighting Against Poverty has been renewed! This is more than just good news, it is a critical step towards ensuring that the fight against poverty remains intersectional and at the heart of EU policymaking! Why does this matter? The Intergroup serves as a unique platform that bridges MEPs, civil society organisations, and policy experts. It keeps poverty and social exclusion high on the EU agenda and ensures that voices from the ground are heard at the top. What happens next? With its renewal, the Intergroup will: 📌Push for intersectional solutions to tackle poverty across sectors like housing, health, equality, economic, employment, and climate. 📌 Refocus social rights across key policy areas: anti-discrimination, climate justice, migration, digital rights, housing, and fiscal and tax justice. 📌 Monitor and respond to policy gaps, holding institutions accountable to social rights and justice. 📌 Strengthen partnerships to amplify the impact of anti-poverty measures at both EU and national levels. The stakes couldn’t be higher. As poverty levels in Europe are alarming, especially in the wake of austerity measures, rising living costs, and economic uncertainty, we need bold action and political will. The renewed Intergroup is a vital step toward a fairer, more inclusive Europe! ATD Fourth World #EPAntiPovertyIntergroup #EndPoverty #SocialJustice #EUParliament #Intergroup #InclusiveEurope

✨As this year comes to an end, we reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Together, we can build a more just and inclusive society.✨ All we want for the holidays is: 🟢The eradication of poverty. 🟢An ambitious EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. 🟢In-person solutions in a digitalised world. 🟢Minimum income schemes adjusted to living-costs. 🟢Dignified lives, free from poverty, for Elderly women. 🟢Clean and affordable energy. 🟢That children are safe, nurtured, and empowered to reach their full potential. ✨These wishes are more than aspirations — it is time to act! By working hand-in-hand with policymakers, civil society and people experiencing poverty, we can turn these wishes into reality.✨ ✨May this season bring you hope, determination and renewed energy for the year ahead. Let’s make 2025 the year of real progress towards eradicating poverty.✨ Warm wishes for a peaceful and impactful holiday season! EAPN - European Anti Poverty Network✨

Following the joint letter we sent with 14 other civil society organisations on 26 November, we had the chance to meet with the new Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for People, Skills and Preparedness Roxana Minzatu.    Together with European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network European Network Against Racism Aisbl (ENAR) Eurodiaconia Social Platform Save TheChildren Platform for Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) representatives and based on our joint work with the coalition of organisation which signed the letter, we discussed concrete steps concerning the upcoming #EUAntiPovertyStrategy #EUAPS, such as:   🟣The need to come up with an ambitious strategy,  🟣how to involve people experiencing poverty in the design and implementation of the EU APS,  🟣intersection with other key frameworks such as the European Semester, the Anti-Discrimination Strategies, the renewed European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and the Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027.   We look forward to continuing our cooperation with EVP Roxana Minzatu during the next steps of the design of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. 

🏠 Homelessness is one of the most complex and persistent social challenges of our time. As of 2024, over 2 million people in OECD and EU countries experience homelessness each year – but solutions are within reach. We are proud to launch the OECD Toolkit to Combat Homelessness: a comprehensive resource designed to help governments and stakeholders build integrated, people-centred, and housing-led strategies to end homelessness. 📚 What’s inside the Toolkit? ➡️ 9 Building Blocks: From policy design to delivery, covering prevention, Housing First, funding, and monitoring. ➡️ Evidence & Good Practices: Real-world examples and solutions tailored to diverse contexts. ➡️ Actionable Guidance: Tools for policymakers, NGOs, housing providers, and other stakeholders. 💡 Whether you are designing a national homelessness strategy, introducing prevention programmes, scaling up Housing First initiatives, or addressing the hidden dimensions of homelessness, this Toolkit offers practical insights to help you take action. 📊 Data-driven. 🎯 Prevention-focused. 💡 Solution-oriented. ➡️ Explore the Toolkit and contribute to working towards ending homelessness by 2030: https://oe.cd/5QI #EndHomelessness #OECDToolkit #SocialPolicy #HousingFirst Stefano Scarpetta, Mark Pearson, Monika Queisser-Richaud, Willem Adema, Marissa (Ellis) Plouin, Ali Bargu, Alexandre Lloyd, Pablo Minondo Canto, Szymon Jezewski, Santiago Mendia Oliver, Yves Leterme, Stefan Olsson, Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Lucie Davoine, Michele Calandrino, Aristotelis Alvanos, DIHAL | Délégation interministérielle à l'hébergement et à l'accès au logement, Laure Billoret, Sophie Bandarkar Freek Spinnewijn, Ruth Owen, Koen Hermans, Nicholas Pleace, Dr Julie Lawson, Juha Kahila, Solène Molard, Julia Wygnańska, Sam Tsemberis, PhD Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Housing First Europe Hub, Housing Europe, Eurocities, URBACT, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH) , National Alliance to End Homelessness, EAPN - European Anti Poverty Network, Homelessness Policy Research Institute, Crisis, Centre for Homelessness Impact

The People’s Summit took place on 28 November, bringing together diverse perspectives and ideas from across Europe. Participants included people experiencing poverty, representatives from European institutions, civil society organisations activists and EAPN members. This was a significant step in advocating for an EU Anti-Poverty Strategy with one ambitious central goal: the eradication of poverty. The Summit reaffirmed the commitment to push for an ambitious and participatory strategy, co-creating policies with civil society and those experiencing poverty. It also highlighted the importance of adopting an intersectional approach. The journey to eradicating poverty begins now! This was a significant step in advocating for an EU Anti-Poverty Strategy with one ambitious central goal: the eradication of poverty. It also highlighted the importance of adopting an intersectional approach. The journey to eradicating poverty begins now! #PeoplesSummit #EUAntiPovertyStrategy #EUAPS

Out of the three EU coordinators leading the fight against racism, only two received upgraded political access this week. ⏫ The only position held by a racialised individual was shamefully left behind. 🚨 ❌ European Commission's decision sends a dangerous signal, creating hierarchies within anti-racism work and #undermining efforts to tackle systemic racism. By prioritising some forms of hatred while sidelining others, the Commission risks fragmenting the fight against racism and betraying the promises etched in the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan (2020–2025). ❌ As the voice of the European anti-racism movement, we demand that the European Commission treats all forms of racism with the urgency they deserve. Elevating the Anti-Racism Coordinator is the first step in demonstrating that tackling systemic racism is not just a symbolic gesture, but a genuine #priority. ⏰ We expect more from the Commission – it's time to act and deliver on its commitments to anti-racism. 🔗 Read our statement: https://lnkd.in/eDdvFuUG. #Racism #EU #Equality #Commission #Discrimination

🗣️ Why is the participation of People Experiencing Poverty important in policy design? 🔑 Participation is at the heart of EAPN's vision. No legal, policy, or budget initiative should be made without the involvement of those directly affected by systems of oppression. Their voices and expertise must be taken into account—from shaping and drafting to implementation and evaluation.  At the #PeoplesSummit, voices from policymakers, organisations, and people experiencing poverty came together to emphasise the importance of PeP participation in policy design—especially in shaping the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. 🎯 We pledge for effective participation!  Find out more in our Roadmap Towards and EU Anti-Poverty Strategy: https://lnkd.in/d6YZhP-8 #EUAPS #EUAntiPovertyStrategy #EndPoverty