08/10/2015 – The Council of EU ministers of employment and social affairs has released a report on the adequacy of pensions including a statement by AGE Platform Europe. The report is an update of the 2012 Pension Adequacy Report and highlights the key challenges older persons face in attaining their rights to live in independently and to social protection.
02/02/2015 – As part of the ‘DRIVERS for Health Equity’ project, EAPN published a report and synthesis of case-study evidence on income and social protection, which is a joint EAPN and Centre for health Equity Studies (CHESS) work. Authored by Fiona McHardy with Olle Lundberg, this research undertook a case study approach exploring in a comparative country context, the impact of social protection system, both operations and provisions, on health inequality, in Hungary, Poland, UK, Sweden and Portugal. The publication also includes a Toolkit on how to develop focus groups (Annex 2).
12/04/2015 – EAPN has issued its Proposals regarding the new European Commission’s Integrated Guidelines in the economic and employment fields. This 6-page document summarises the new guidelines, their potential and shortfalls as well as a set of 7 recommendations: 1) Guidelines must deliver on Europe 2020 goals and targets, 2) Inclusive Investment means Social Investment, 3) Safeguard adequate social protection for social cohesion,
27/07/2015 – EAPN has released its briefing on Juncker’s EU Investment Plan and the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). As a consequence of the economic crisis, the level of investment in the EU has dropped significantly since its peak in 2007, by about 15%. The former Barroso Commission had been characterized by the austerity era, where fiscal consolidation has been over prioritized at the expense of investments, including social investment. Although the current Juncker Commission is composed by the same political coalition, the urgency of a response in terms of investment to the consequences of the economic and financial crisis seems to have become more prominent.
12/05/2015 – EAPN submitted today its contribution to the European Commission’s consultation regarding the provision of services to long-term unemployed in the Member States and at EU level. In its response, EAPN highlights that the long-term unemployed cannot be regarded as a homogenous group, and a one-size-fits-all approach will not yield the expected results.
10/06/2015 – On May 15 the Commission adopted their proposals for Country-Specific Recommendations (CSRs). EAPN responded with an immediate Press Release calling on Commission to issue poverty recommendations not only in 6 but in all Member States. This paper sets out the main messages and main recommendations from a more detailed assessment of the CSRs, as regards their delivery on the Europe 2020 Strategy targets on poverty reduction, employment and education. A detailed country by country analysis is annexed.
17/04/2015 – EAPN presents its 2015 assessment of the 2014 Country-Specific Recommendations (CSRs) based on inputs from 24 national networks and European Organisations, and makes new proposals for 2015 CSRs. EAPN wants the European Semester to deliver results on the Europe 2020 goals of inclusive and sustainable growth and to deliver on its target to reduce poverty by at least 20 million by 2020.
3/03/2015- EP EMPL Committe new report on European Policies for Lifelong Guidance to Fight Early School Leaving and Unemployment. This new report provides an overview of career guidance in Member…
3/03/2015- Recommendations for a more caring EU. Friends of Europe high level group on the Social Union has launched a report based on recommendations for a more caring European Union.…
3/03/2015- The Finnish homlessness strategy. Last month of February, Finland released an international review of the Finnish strategy to tackle homelessness showscasing growndbreaking good practices. The review has been published…