EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty

1. EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty Input: Sian Jones, Policy Coordinator EAPN Committee of the Regions ECOS 26th April 2012 Social Impact of the Crisis – what solutions ? EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE

2. Structure of Presentation • EAPN in the crisis • Social impact on poverty of the crisis and role of austerity measures • EU role – is it helping? • 5 Priorities for Action

3. EAPN in the Crisis • Independent NGO network committed to the fight against poverty, active since 1990 • 30 National Antipoverty Networks, 23 EU NGOs • Commitment to participation of people with direct experience of poverty • Active partners in EU Inclusion strategies - but dialogue fast disappearing… • Monitoring crisis impact together - growing anger with austerity and democratic deficit.

4. What’s happening to poverty? • Before the crisis – no decline in poverty, (16%) despite boom years of growth and jobs • 2011: 115 million (23.4%) - increase of 2 million. • Unequal impact - 40%: BG, RO v 15%: CZ, NL , SE • Worst hit groups - youth, children and families, but also LT unemployed, migrants/ minorities. • Rising unemployment, particularly youth, but jobs not always solution : 8.5% in-work poverty poverty, 1/3 of people in poverty have a job.. • Growing inequality in income/wealth (OECD) and in perceptions – 80% (Eurobarometer)

5. Social impact of Government Austerity measures • Immediate Crisis impact on jobs and housing, austerity now key cause for increasing poverty. • Cuts/reductions in social protection/minimum income systems, destroying automatic stabilisers – reducing income support and resilience.. • Cuts in public sector and NGO sector jobs/services; increased insecurity/reduced wages; focus on supply side: punitive activation/conditionality • Increasing difficulties in accessing basic food and services/ rising prices in food/energy/housing and health, exacerbating indebtedness • Growing Inequality Gap undermining social cohesion, growth and sustainable recovery

6. Is the EU helping? • Europe 2020 promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth • Poverty, employment and education target, guidelines, flagship initiatives • Structural Funds to deliver on poverty target – 20% and 25% on ESF. • 8 million shortfall on EU poverty target • Employment only solutions, missing inequality, access to rights, resources and services. • EU Economic Governance driving austerity, generating increasing poverty and inequality. • Limited and weak participation of stakeholders

7. 5 Priorities for Action • Challenge Austerity - defend social protection, minimum income+ public services as social floor for inclusive recovery. • Promote Social Investment + Green and Social New Deal, creating quality jobs • Ensure inclusion – integrated, Active Inclusion pathways, back social economy • Use EU funds to reduce poverty – support 20% ring-fencing of ESF on poverty, through integrated solutions, ensuring NGO access • Raise revenue fairly and put equality and democracy at the heart - tax justice + participative dialogue at all stages/levels.

8. Thank you for your attention For more information contact: Sian Jones at sian.jones@eapn.eu www.eapn.eu EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE SQUARE DE MEEUS, 18 – 1050 BRUSSELS TEL: 0032 2 226 58 50 – FAX: 0032 2 26 58 69 www.eapn.eu - team@eapn.eu