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EAPN booklet on Social Innovation

03/03/2016 – EAPN launched its new booklet The contribution of meaningful Social Innovation to reducing poverty and social exclusion in Europe in the European Parliament on the occasion of a discussion  on the topic: How can Social Innovation contribute to reaching the poverty reduction target of Europe 2020? co-hosted by Hon Verónica Lope Fontagné MEP (EPP) and EAPN. Social innovation has been a ‘buzz’ term in European discourse over the past years, having been actively promoted by the European Commission, and tied to important funding lines for the national and EU level. The potential of a socially innovative approach to contribute to mitigating the consequences of the crisis, as well as to ensure better social inclusion and social cohesion in Europe, has been widely praised. However, the definition and use of the concept remain tenuous, and there is still ongoing debate regarding its merits, as well as hidden traps.

European Commission launches consultation package on a European Pillar of Social Rights

08/03/2016 – the European Commission launched a public consultation on a European Pillar of Social Rights. EAPN welcomes an initiative that is rooted in a rights-based perspective. We hope that it can be an important step towards rebalancing the European Union agenda and giving social considerations, including the fight against poverty and social exclusion, their…

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European Commission launches consultation package on a European Pillar of Social Rights

08/03/2016 – the European Commission launched a public consultation on a European Pillar of Social Rights. EAPN welcomes an initiative that is rooted in a rights-based perspective. We hope that it can be an important step towards rebalancing the European Union agenda and giving social considerations, including the fight against poverty and social exclusion, their due place in the European architecture. EAPN particularly welcomes commitments on a wide number of key topics, grouped under three main headings: Equal opportunities and access to the labour market (education and training, security of contracts, supporting transitions, work-life balance, gender equality and equal opportunities), Fair working conditions (employment rights, wages, health and safety, social dialogue), and Adequate and sustainable social protection (social benefits – minimum income, unemployment, health and sickness, disability, pensions; services – care, child-, health- and long-term care, housing, transport, energy, financial, communications). EAPN will work closely with its members over the coming months to prepare a full response to the consultation and the initiative. 

The AGS behind, the Semester ahead | Great success for the Semester Alliance Hearing in the EP

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…

2015 EAPN position paper TTIP cover

People before Trade | EAPN’s position on TTIP and other related free-trade agreements

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.

2030 agenda for Sustainable Development: CSO coalition SDG Watch letter to Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans

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.

Recht Op Energie Rebecca Lee International day against poverty Brussels 17 Oct 2008

EAPN’s input to DG Energy on Energy Poverty

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.

EAPN Finland contributes to EP study on Mainstreaming Employment and Social Indicators into Macroeconomic Surveillance

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…

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The AGS behind, the Semester ahead | Great success for the Semester Alliance Hearing in the EP

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.