The adoption of the Council Recommendation of 30 January 2023 on Adequate Minimum Income Ensuring Active Inclusion (hereafter “Council Recommendation”) marked a key milestone in the European Union’s fight against poverty. As part of the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, the Council Recommendation represents an important political acknowledgment of the role that Minimum Income Schemes (MIS) play in guaranteeing a dignified life and enabling social inclusion.
MIS are a vital component of universal social protection systems and an essential pillar of a comprehensive, rights-based, person-centred active inclusion strategy.
This Progress Report reflects EAPN’s perspective on the state of play regarding the implementation of the Council Recommendation to date, ahead of the first assessment report to be published by the European Commission. It is based on assessments from 8 EAPN national networks and European organisations, gathered through a written consultation undertaken in Spring 2024 and an online stakeholder meeting with the European Commission held on Wednesday 7 May 2025.
This report comes at a time of increasing pressure on welfare states and social protection systems. Across the EU, governments are reverting to austerity measures, prioritising defence spending. People experiencing poverty are increasingly impacted by stagnating inflation and rising living costs. Meanwhile, recent data shows no significant progress in poverty reduction at the EU level.
This assessment report confirms EAPN’s initial position: the Council Recommendation must be treated as a starting point towards a binding EU Framework Directive, as crucial element of comprehensive, rights-based and adequately funded EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
