- EAPN Spain held its 7th European Congress Against Poverty in the capital of La Rioja, in collaboration with EAPN La Rioja and the Logroño City Council.
- The event took place in the midst of negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework and a few weeks after the publication of the first European Strategy against Poverty.
- Nearly 130 people and some 20 expert speakers discussed the challenges involved in ensuring that the Strategy effectively reaches local communities and all those in the most vulnerable situations.
EAPN Spain, in collaboration with its regional network, EAPN La Rioja and the City Council of Logroño, organized its 7th European Congress Against Poverty and Social Exclusion on June 25 and 26 in the La Rioja’s capital.
The event took place at a pivotal moment for European social policies, with ongoing legislative processes such as the negotiation of the new Multiannual Financial Framework, the development of the first European Affordable Housing Plan, and just a few weeks after the presentation of the first European Strategy against Poverty. In fact, the Strategy promoted by the European Commission, has been a long-standing demand of EAPN and civil society, essential for addressing the high and persistent levels of poverty and exclusion in the EU, which affect 92.7 million people, according to Eurostat.
Nearly 130 people, both online and in person, and some 20 expert speakers were able to discuss the challenges of the Strategy and its regional implementation, positioning Logroño as one of the first European forums for reflection on how to finance and implement the EU’s current social agenda.
Government Agencies and Social Organizations Working Hand in Hand
The opening session was attended by Silvia Andrés, president of EAPN La Rioja; Marta Gómez, director general of Social Services and the Institute for Equality of the Government of La Rioja; Patricia Bezunartea, director general of Family Diversity and Social Services at the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda; Carlos Susías, president of EAPN-ES and EAPN Europe; and Conrado Escobar, mayor of Logroño.
The president of EAPN La Rioja emphasized the importance of “working hand in hand with social organizations” to achieve “a more just and inclusive Europe, country, and autonomous community like La Rioja.” In her remarks, Marta Gómez acknowledged that fighting poverty “requires a broad perspective and a comprehensive response,” highlighting the La Rioja government’s “commitment” to “strengthening social policies.”
For her part, Patricia Bezunartea acknowledged the opportunity presented by the new European Strategy and called for “fighting” and “insisting that it be the best possible Strategy.” “In these times when there are some threats on the horizon, we must once again put people and their needs at the center“ added the director general of the Ministry of Social Rights.
Carlos Susías highlighted the importance of complementing the Strategy with effective policies on housing and decent employment, as well as ensuring sufficient funding. In this regard, he called for the participation and commitment of state and regional governments: “We need the regions to have decision-making authority over European funds because it is at the regional level where the social reality is best understood.”
Finally, Conrado Escobar praised the holding of such events: “At a politically and geopolitically complicated time, it is very important to find spaces for reflection on what truly matters,” referring to the “human cause” and “social rights.”
“We are the level of government closest to social issues, and the one that allows us to put a face and name to social difficulties."
Following the official welcome, an introductory discussion titled “European Strategy for Combating Poverty: Toward a Comprehensive Approach to Guaranteeing Rights and Social Inclusion” took place on Thursday afternoon, featuring presentations by Emma Juaneda, professor at the University of La Rioja and director of the Chair of Social and Solidarity Economy, Valeria Spazzoli, policy assistant at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Social Rights and Inclusion; Marie-Amah Kouadio, head of advocacy at EAPN Europe and Patricia Bezunartea, director general of Family Diversity and Social Services at the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda.
FUNDING THE STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
The second day of the conference, held on Friday, focused on the various processes of coordination between European, national, regional and local strategies; the funding of social policies; effective access to fundamental rights such as housing, employment, minimum income and social services; and the role of civil society in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies.
In this regard, the first panel discussed the challenges and opportunities of the new European Financial Framework 2028–2034, moderated by Lola Martínez, editor of “Igualdad” at RNE, with presentations by Ángel María García, deputy director general of the European Social Fund Management Unit (UAFSE) at the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, Ruth Ferrero, professor of Political Science and European Studies at the Complutense University of Madrid; Eduardo Gómez, economic advisor at the European Commission Representation in Spain; Maria Tussy-Flores, director of European Programs at the ONCE Foundation; and Helder Ferreira, head of European Affairs and Partnerships at EAPN-ES.
The conclusion of the Congress has opened the door to further work on the territorial scope of European anti-poverty policies. The final panel, moderated by Lola Martínez, featured contributions from Sali Guntín, coordinator of the EAPN-ES European Funds Group; Marta Cid, member of the EAPN-ES Standing Committee; Joaquín Corcobado, head of the Social Policies Division at the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP); and Patricia Sáinz, councilor for Family, Social, and Disability Policies at the Logroño City Council.
A KEY STRATEGY, BUT WITH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
For EAPN, the first European Strategy against Poverty has marked a historic step forward, but its success will depend on whether it translates into concrete policies, sufficient funding, and binding commitments for Member States.
The Network highlights the inclusion of some of its proposals, such as the recognition that poverty affects people throughout their entire life cycle; positioning prevention as a key component of poverty eradication; involving people with lived experience of poverty in its development; and the need to urge Member States to develop national, regional and local anti-poverty strategies.
Despite the importance of the measure, the EAPN also points out significant omissions that must be addressed for its proper implementation, such as the lack of a clear roadmap toward the eradication of poverty and an insufficient focus on its root causes. Furthermore, the Strategy fails to address the limitations of current social protection systems, a fundamental pillar of any policy aimed at combating poverty and promoting social inclusion.
In this context, the Congress has served as a forum for reflection and dialogue on the tools and mechanisms needed to strengthen social cohesion in the EU, combat poverty, and guarantee the rights of all people.