On 1 March 2016 – (9.30-12.30), Sergio Gutierrez Prieto (S&D) and Marian Harkin (ALDE), with the EU Alliance for a democratic, social and sustainable European Semester, hosted a very well-attended hearing The AGS behind, the Semester ahead, what proposals to make Europe 2020 more social, democratic and sustainable? in the European Parliament. The Alliance presented…
17/12/2015 – This paper outlines, in brief, the position of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) regarding international trade agreements currently being negotiated by the European Commission, on behalf of Member States, to promote free trade. It looks specifically at negotiations on agreements such as CETA, TTIP, TiSA, and tries to point out the potential consequences of these agreements, in their current form, on poverty and social exclusion in European countries.
11/02/2016 – From June 2015 onwards, a considerable number of EU-based Civil Society Organisations from the sustainability, development, environment and social sectors have been meeting to consider in which way we can contribute to the implementation, monitoring and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, both in Europe and beyond.
14/01/2016 – EAPN responded to DG Energy’s Vulnerable consumer’s group questionnaire on Energy Poverty building on the contributions from EAPN members who are part of the EAPN Energy Poverty cluster. The questionnaire focuses on three key energy poverty related issues: The concept of energy poverty, Indicators to measure energy povertyand Measures to tackle energy poverty.
05/02/2016 – EAPN Finland contributed to the newly published European Parliament study Mainstreaming Employment and Social Indicators into Macroeconomic Surveillance which assesses how employment and social issues are addressed in the EU. The study includes a country-case study annex which starts by Finland. EAPN latest documents are also quoted and referenced, and the study draws heavily on…
On 1 March 2016 – (9.30-12.30), Sergio Gutierrez Prieto (S&D) and Marian Harkin (ALDE), with the EU Alliance for a democratic, social and sustainable European Semester, hosted a very well-attended hearing The AGS behind, the Semester ahead, what proposals to make Europe 2020 more social, democratic and sustainable? in the European Parliament. The Alliance presented its proposals on the AGS 2016 and its report on the Country-specific Recommendations with concrete key messages.
29/01/2016 – EAPN attended a stakeholder dialogue meeting organised by DG Employment on the topic of the Youth Guarantee, the Youth Employment Initiative, and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships. The European Commission provided an update of the state of play and next steps, and discussants from the European Youth Forum and Eurocities presented the civil society and local authorities perspective. In the ensuing debate, EAPN made important points about the need for comprehensive youth inclusion strategies beyond employment, which include adequate income support, access to services (particularly housing), personalised, pathway support towards quality and sustainable employment, as well as full ownership by young people of their inclusion strategies, and meaningful engagement of civil society organisations in the process. Without such a comprehensive approach, the initiatives will not reach vulnerable youth who are facing multiple obstacles, which would mean a creaming effect, leaving the most disenfranchised behind.
European Commission launches Employment and Social Developments in Europe Report 2015/2016 On 21/02/2016, EAPN attended the European Commission’s presentation of its annual Employment and Social Developments (ESDE) Report. The report takes stock of the latest employment and social trends in Europe, and reflects on upcoming challenges and possible policy responses. While it report highlights some…
15/01/2016 – The Council discussed growth prospects and macroeconomic imbalances under the “European Semester”, the EU’s annual policy coordination process. It adopted conclusions, and approved a draft recommendation on the economic policies of the euro area. The policy priorities for 2016 are investment, structural reforms and responsible fiscal policies. Regarding macroeconomic imbalances, the Commission is due to publish…
07/01/2016 – The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.5% in November 2015, down from 10.6% in October 2015, and from 11.5% in November 2014. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since October 2011.
