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Channelling voices, Building solidarity Spring Alliance – past and future

Learn about the Spring Alliance, the largest civil society alliance in Europe fighting for social justice and participatory democracy. Explore their objectives, achievements, and the next steps in their campaign for a European Union that prioritizes its people and the planet.

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Channelling voices, Building solidarity Spring Alliance – past and future

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  1. Channelling voices, Building solidaritySpring Alliance – past and future Sian Jones, Policy Coordinator EAPN – Member of the SP Management Committee and Steering Committee of Spring Alliance, ACW/MOC Conference 17 September 2010 – Alliances for Poverty Reduction

  2. What is the Social Platform? • largest civil society alliance fighting for social justice and participatory democracy in Europe • is now a network 42 pan European networks of NGOs • was established in 1995 • Social Platform campaigns to ensure that EU policies are developed in partnership with the people they affect, respecting fundamental rights, promoting solidarity and improving lives.

  3. Outline of Presentation • What is Spring Alliance? • Why did we come together? • What are the main objectives? • What have we done and achieved? Impact on Poverty Reduction? • What’s the next steps?

  4. Spring Alliance campaign • The Spring Alliance is a broad civil society movement with a single goal: to bring about a European Union that puts its people and the planet at the heart of its policymaking • http://www.springalliance.eu • It was established by four leading civil society organisations:

  5. Why act? Our assessment of the situation Challenges: • Climate change • 79 million people live in poverty in Europe • EU focus on deregulation has failed to serve the public good • Inequalities in wealth distribution are increasing, putting the cohesion of our societies at risk • Global inequalities between the North and South are rising • Violations of fundamental rights remain widespread, including in the EU • The gap is widening between the EU and its citizens Opportunities • Increase support for a new global architecture • Increase awareness of ecological and social challenges • Civil society movement are active in developing solutions • The EU has powerful instruments to targets and regulate the market

  6. Our Manifesto: in summary 6 chapters 17 proposals More than 100concrete measures

  7. Our Manifesto: A focus on the social side (1/3) Establish inclusive societies • Reduce inequalities and eradicate poverty • Guarantee universal access to public services • Combat discrimination and racism; guarantee gender equality and respect for migrants’ rights

  8. Our Manifesto: A focus on the social side (2/3) Promote green and quality jobs • Reinforce quality jobs and improve access for all • Ensure a just transition to quality jobs, and help workers move into new emerging activities

  9. Our Manifesto: A focus on the social side (3/3) Improve democracy • Invest in dialogue with European citizens, trade unions and civil society • Improve access to and scrutiny of decision making • Strengthen the governance of EU strategies and the open method of coordination

  10. Spring Alliance – Action and Results Actions • 3 major conferences held in 2009 to feed into 2020 debate (January, June and September) – the last with participation of President Barroso. • Development of a common manifesto through participative methodology and appraisal mechanism of Europe 2020. • Website and common communication strategy • Common lobbying strategy and actions - aimed particularly at the Council, the Commission, Parliament and other key stakeholders Results • Significant impact on the language of Europe 2020, but no radical paradigm change as demanded. • Agreement of Poverty Target and Guideline 10 • Improved focus on job access, active inclusion and more jobs, but not enough on quality. • Consolidates existing green demands, but gives more visibility. • Global equity – completely absent.

  11. Spring Alliance - What next? • Engaging in implementation and assessing impact of Europe 2020 • lobbying Commission on governance and participation linked to recital 14 in the Integrated Guidelines • getting members to engage in National Reform Programmes, • Reviewing NRP • Joint work on the Financial Perspectives • Commission Communication – due out 29 September • Initial meetings preparing for brainstorming meeting with members. • Development of Joint paper

  12. Some Challenges….. • No culture/commitment to governance and participation on NRP (despite recital 14) • Lack of transparency/visibility and accountability of process. • Spring Alliance’s lack of joint resources • Difficulties of joint positions – is there a commitment for long-term investment? • How can we engage more groups and build together a more effective alliance that can get sustainable results?

  13. Contact informationSian Jones: sian.jones@eapn.eu Square de Meeûs 18 B-1050 Brussels Belgium T +32.2.511.37.14 F +32.2.511.19.09 platform@socialplatform.org www.socialplatform.org

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