The European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty (PeP), launched in 2002, provides a space for people with experience of poverty to join forces across Europe, learn from each other, discuss laws and policies which affect their lives and connect with decision-makers.
The 21st edition of the Meeting (PeP 2023) took place from 14th to 15th November 2023 in Madrid, the first time it met outside Brussels. It was organised by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN Europe) and EAPN Spain, with financial support from DG Employment, the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights Agenda 2030 and La Caixa Foundation.
There were 77 individuals with direct experience of poverty from 26 countries, along with policymakers, facilitators and guests. Participative workshops considered the conclusions of the PeP 2022 on the theme of The Unbearable Cost of Living and the opportunities to mobilise for the 2024 European Parliament Elections. These themes were discussed with policy-makers from the European Parliament, European Commission, Belgian Government and United Nations.
Participants discussed how poverty and the cost-of-living crisis were affecting their lives and forcing choices between essentials like food and heating.
There was consensus between participants and the policy-makers that the European initiatives on minimum wages and minimum income were welcome but inadequate. Incomes need to be raised to take into account the real costs of living, and more targeted measures are needed for low income households. The austerity approaches adopted after 2008 must not be repeated.
Participants and guests also called for a binding instrument at the European level to guarantee the right to accessible, affordable, energy efficient and quality housing and for measures to prevent energy poverty. Fundamentally, people with direct experience of poverty need effective participation in the policy processes that affect their lives.
There was also a session on mobilisation for change, a ‘visibility action’ in Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía to highlight the concerns of participants, and opportunities to network informally.
Read the event report with Key Messages from PEP from across Europe!
