Alliances to Fight Poverty Brussels, 16-17 September 2010

1. Alliances to Fight PovertyBrussels, 16-17 September 2010 Mid Term review of EY 2010 Ludo Horemans president of EAPN ( www.eapn.eu )

2. EAPN Origins Established in 1990 A network of independent NGOs involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion (within EU countries, mostly) To defend the interest of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion in the development of EU policies and programmes 2

3. EAPN Membership and Financing 26 National Networks 23 European Organisations Emerging Networks (Latvia, Iceland, Turkey…..) Receives financial support from the European Commission (PROGRESS Programme) 3

4. Need to take opportunity from a dedicated EU Year To build a real awareness of the causes of poverty and exclusion and hence the policies needed for Inclusion and eradicating poverty Not speaking about combating poverty without speaking about wealth and redistribution as well 4

5. Key Messages No significant progress on Poverty and Social Exclusion over the last 10 Years Growth and jobs approach hasn’t reduced poverty and helped to widen inequality gap Real progress depends on a new or renewed awareness of the need to tackle inequalities (income - wealth / access to resources, services and decision-making) 5

6. Lisbon Strategy Impact on poverty ? 17% of EU populationat risk of poverty – 84 million people No significant decrease since 2000 (15% in 2001, Old MS): increases in AT, BE, NL, UK and PL. Higher poverty risk faced by women (17%), children (19%), older people (19%) Inequality gap rising – lowest gaps in SE, SL, CZ, DK, FI, AT, LU and highest gaps in PL, LA, LI, PT. In 2006, income of richest 20% nearly 5 times higher than income of the poorest 20%. 6

7. A right understanding of poverty and the fight against poverty Poverty is a denial of fundamental rights – Poverty is mainly caused by the organisation of our society ( economic, financial, fiscal, housing, energie... policies) An economy at the service of people and public interest – Guaranteeing an adequate income and achieving a fairer distribution of wealth. More equal societies are better for everyone/ growth without fair distribution won’t deliver on poverty Mobilizing all policies – poverty cannot be solved by social policies alone / employment is not the only solution. 7

8. Europe 2020 – a step forward? Social objective – Smart/green/ inclusive growth 5 headline targets with poverty target to reduce risk of poverty by « lifting at least 20 million out of poverty by 2020 » Flagship programme – European Platform against Poverty: « to ensure economic,social and territorial cohesion, building on the current European Year of combating poverty and social exclusion (…) unabeling people experiencing poverty and social exclusion to live a life in dignity and take an active part in society » A « transformed Social Open Method of Coordination (OMC) » – moving beyond cooperation and exchange to take concrete actions Social Innovation programmes – education, training and employment support for deprived groups/fight discrimination.» Adequat and sustainable social protection and pension systems and better access tp health care systems 8

9. EU Flagship Platform on Poverty – EAPN Proposals Take a transformed (strengthened) Social OMC as the heart of a dynamic, participative EU platform, build up by national platforms against poverty, that deliver results Progress on Social Standards – move towards EU frameworks to guarantee social rights. 3) Better financing – using EU instruments to support rights to services, demonstration projects and better participation/governance 4) Mainstreaming social objectives across Europe 2020, with social impact assessment at all policy areas 9

10. 1) Transform Social OMC (national level) Strengthen the Social OMC to be the core of EU + National Platforms against poverty that deliver results National Level National poverty platform/stakeholder forum meeting 4 times a year to develop, implement and monitor progress on a 3 year strategy. (building on experience of EAPN national networks !) Participants: More link to regional and local level - local authorities and people experiencing poverty and NGOs Tools and budget to support meaningful participation, with common methodology and minimum rules. Annual Review and debate on progress based on scoreboard review of indicators – in National Parliament Poverty Proofing all policy fields, to ensure do not undermine social goals. 10

11. 1) Transform the Social OMC (EU level) Give Priority to ensuring implementation as well as mutual learning, involving NGOs and people experiencing poverty Key Proposals DG Employment and Social Protection Committee and Ministers as driving force defending Social Europe. EU stakeholder forum meets 3 times a year to review progress on EU and national targets and strategies, making recommendations to Member States and to Council – sanctions? Key participants: Experts from national/regional level, social partners, and EU NGOs working with people experiencing poverty People experiencing Povertymeetings to be strengthened and embedded in policy process with Round Table reviewing progress. New EU thematic clusters/group to develop multi-annual EU strategies on key priorities: active inclusion, child poverty, housing exclusion/homelessness, migration and ethnic minorities, financial exclusion, energy poverty and access to quality services. Sustainable financing to national networks to ensure NGO and people experiencing poverty engagement. 11

12. 2) Progress on Social Standards Build on Lisbon treaty’s enhancement of social obligations: (enhanced social values, new horizontal social clauses, Charter of Fundamental Rights, coordinated action on social protection and social inclusion - Art 151 and 153). Key Proposals Platform should evaluate effectiveness of current instruments Develop road maps for developing common EU frameworks to guarantee basic social standards – common definitions, principles, criteria with national application. Starting point – An EU framework directive to guarantee an adequate minimum income for a dignified life, at least at risk of poverty threshold ( 60% of median income), building on Council Recommendation of 92 and Commission Recommendation on Active Inclusion 12

13. 3) Better financing – access to rights, social inclusion and participation Europe 2020 will target Structural Funds to objectives/targets but all EU financial instruments need to be mobilised… Key Proposals Supporting rights to affordable universal services – particularly in poorer regions eg energy efficient social housing/quality childcare. Demonstration/ innovative projects to support people into inclusion (active inclusion) – back social economy, ensure NGOs can access funding through improved technical assistance, global grant and pre-financing. Financing sustainable participation of NGOs / National Networks and people experiencing poverty – at national and EU level 13

14. 4) Mainstreaming social objectivesacross EU 2020 Need to ensure that social objective is mainstreamed and not undermined by other EU policy goals and measures i.e bottlenecks to inclusion not just growth.. Key Proposals Review social impact assessment of all policies Mainstream analysis of social impact of crisis and exit strategies – especiallycuts in public services Ensure results subject of annual EP debate. Platform to make recommendations from assessment to Council 14

15. Conclusions(www.eapn.eu publications policy papers) Build on Social OMC to develop EU and National Platforms on Poverty as dynamic, visible partnerships to deliver on poverty Shared ownership - building common solutions: put structured dialogue involving people experiencing poverty and NGOs at heart Harness EU finances to deliver on rights, demonstration inclusion projects and sustainable financing for participation Political commitment/ follow up essential but EU needs stronger enforceable instruments… Make sure the rest of Europe 2020 and other policies don’t undermine poverty goals – starting with the Crisis! 15

16. Building cooperation in the fight against povertywww.eapn.eu 16