During the Anti-Poverty Day, EAPN spoke with María Calle García, Director of Inclusion Goals and Indicators at the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, Social Services and Migration.
María was one of the speakers at the workshop “From European to National: Strengthening National & Local Action Plans.”
EAPN: What drives your collaboration with civil society organisations, and, in particular, what makes the partnership with EAPN Spain valuable in the context of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy?
María Calle García: Civil society organisations, especially those from the third sector, play a crucial role in combating poverty in Spain. They are often the closest to people experiencing vulnerability, and they deeply understand the barriers and challenges these individuals face in their everyday lives.
Working with EAPN is particularly valuable because it is a network that integrates a wide range of third sector organizations. This gives EAPN a comprehensive, ground-level perspective on the realities faced by different communities. That insight is essential when designing and implementing policies tied to the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, ensuring they remain connected to real needs and experiences.
EAPN: What is the role of National and Local Anti-Poverty Strategies in the fight for the eradication of poverty in Europe? What importance can they have for the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy?
María Calle García: A common European framework is essential. It sets shared objectives, tools, and long-term commitments, like the goal of eradicating poverty by 2050. But for these ambitions to become reality, the strategy must be implemented and adapted at national and local levels.
National and local strategies allow us to address the specific needs, contexts, and structural realities of each region. They are the operational arm of the European vision. Without them, the EU strategy would remain too abstract. With them, it becomes actionable, effective, and responsive to the people it aims to support.
Want to learn more? Watch María Calle García participation at the workshop “From European to National: Strengthening National & Local Action Plans” that took place during Anti-Poverty Day.
