CEPS | Can the new refugee relocation system work? Perils in the Dublin logic and flawed reception conditions in the EU

01/10/2015 – This Policy Brief by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) argues that the newly adopted EU temporary relocation (quota) system constitutes a welcome yet timid step forward in addressing a number of central controversies of the current refugee debate in Europe. Two main challenges affect the effective operability of the new EU relocation model.

AGE Platform Europe | Older persons’ rights should not be jeopardised by EU objectives on national fiscal consolidation and structural reforms!

22/09/2015 – The European Semester 2015 – the EU yearly cycle of economic policy coordination – has once more overlooked fundamental rights. AGE Platform Europe is deeply concerned that in the 2015 Country Specific Recommendations the social objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy have further receded to the background. Many reforms in social protection – in particular in pensions, health and long-term care – are now challenging older persons’ rights to participate in society, live independently and in dignity.

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The crucial Mid-Term Review of the Europe 2020 Strategy – see EAPN’s input

8/10/2014 – EAPN has invested a large amount of resources in trying to engage and monitor the delivery of the Europe 2020 Strategy with inputs to the National Reform Programmes and proposals for Country-specific Recommendations (see other publications in this section). In 2015, the EU Institutions, under the auspices of the new European Parliament and Commission will carry out a Mid-Term Review of the Strategy. This process was launched on the 5 March 2014 with the Commission’s Stock-Taking Communication assessment of the Europe 2020 strategy and followed on 5 May, with the launch of an on-line public consultation with a deadline of 31 October.

Our overwhelming concern is: Can the Europe 2020 Strategy be made fit for purpose enough to deliver its promises on poverty reduction?

President Juncker, will Europe 2020 succeed with you?

EAPN calls for a Marshall-like Plan to combat poverty in Europe

Brussels, 16 July 2014 – The European Anti-Poverty Network congratulates Mr. Juncker on his appointment as President of the European Commission, with the strong expectation that he and the new Commission will seize the opportunity of the Mid-Term Review of the Europe 2020 Strategy to put in place a more coherent and integrated strategy that finally delivers on its social targets, notably the target on poverty. EAPN also welcomes Mr. Juncker’s commitment to work towards more and long-needed accountability and transparency in response to a perceived lack of democracy and an increasing distrust in the European institutions.

Poverty Alliance (EAPN Scotland): City deal package must help to address poverty in glasgow

03/07/2014 – The Poverty Alliance has welcomed the City Deal Partnership between Glasgow City Council and the UK Government which will used to create a £1.1bn infrastructure fund for the city, but has called on all the partners to ensure that the new funding makes a contribution to tackling poverty and inequality in the city. The UK Government have committed £500m with local authorities Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire councils pledging another £130m to the new infrastructure fund.