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EAPN
The European Anti-Poverty Network
EAPN
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Voices of Poverty

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Conference Our Social Europe – Strong Together | Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union

EAPN NewsFeaturedNews

EAPN took an active part in the conference “Our Social Europe – Strong Together” on 16 September 2020. This conference, organised by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs under their presidency of the Council of the European Union was an opportunity to discuss:

  • How can we use social and employment policy but also economic and fiscal policy to bolster the upward convergence of living conditions in Europe and overcome the crisis?
  • What are effective ways to promote inclusive growth and combat inequality and poverty in Europe?

Workshop on Minimum Income Schemes

Together with the Social Platform, Caritas Europa and Eurodiaconia, we held a workshop on “Adequate, accessible & enabling minimum income schemes across Europe – The time for action is now!”. But why this focus?

Europe is one of the most prosperous regions in the world. People living in the EU enjoy some of the best living and working conditions and the most comprehensive social protection systems. However, there is a different story behind this overall context. In 2018, more than 109 million people were living at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This amounts to approximately one in five people. Moreover, certain groups are disproportionately affected.

Adequate and guaranteed income plays a key role in reducing the extent and depth of poverty and social exclusion. Minimum income schemes are an integral part of a comprehensive, rights-based and universal social protection system. They play a key role when it comes to enabling people’s full participation in society and to ensuring a life in dignity over the entire course of their lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the need for comprehensive social protection and coordinated EU action. This is why we call for an EU Framework Directive on Adequate Minimum Income to lay the foundation of a basic social safety net, while at the same time reducing poverty and inequalities by fostering upward social convergence within and across EU Member States and mitigating the immediate and long-term socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the workshop, participants heard from members of EAPN Latvia & Spain about the case in those countries (see speaking points below), and discussed key recommendations which have been put together by the workshop organisers in the booklet (below). EAPN Director Leo WIlliams presented the workshop’s key recommendations to ministers in the afternoon session Discussing Social Europe (see below).

Joining the debate

The conference from 13:00 with political decision-makers, social partners, academics and civil society, could be followed via livestream here. And follow (us) via #MinimumIncome  #EU2020DE conference #MySocialEurope.

EAPN’s position

See EAPN’s summary position points on Minimum Income here.

Read the workshop speaking points
See the workshop booklet with recommendations and references
Read the reporting of the workshop’s key message
August 10, 2020
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Related posts

Youth Dialogue on Minimum Income | BAPN Activist Emmanuel Buta Kossi
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EAPN Annual Policy Conference 2022 | The Backbone of a Truly Social Europe
June 14, 2022
EAPN

Boulevard Bischoffsheim 11
B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
Tel: +32.2.226.58.50
Fax: +32.2.226.58.69
EAPN Europe Staff

EU Funding

This website has been produced with the financial support of the European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Commission.

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Designed by impactshaker
  • Who we are
    • What is EAPN?
    • Our members
    • Our structure
      • EAPN Europe Staff
      • Governing bodies
        • General Assembly (GA)
        • Executive Committee
        • Bureau
      • EU Inclusion Strategies Group
    • The way we are funded
    • Get involved
    • Contact us
  • What we do
    • How we work
    • Policy areas we focus on
      • Poverty & Fundamental Rights
      • Wealth & Inequalities
      • Employment
      • Access to Public Services
      • EU Funds
      • Participation of people experiencing poverty
      • Europe 2020 Strategy
      • The Future of Europe
    • Projects
    • Network Development
    • Campaigns & Alliances
      • Campaigns
      • Alliances & Structured dialogue
  • News & Publications
    • Press Room
      • EAPN Press releases
      • EAPN Clippings
      • National Networks Clippings
    • News
      • EAPN News
      • EAPN National Networks News
      • EU Institutions News
    • Publications
      • EAPN key documents
      • EAPN Position Papers & Reports
      • EAPN Policy toolkits & Briefings
      • EAPN Letters
      • EAPN Books
    • Upcoming Events
    • EAPN Photos & Videos
    • EU jargon explained
  • What is poverty ?
    • Introduction
    • Poverty : what is it?
    • How is poverty measured?
    • Facts & Trends
    • Inequality : what is it?
    • Causes of poverty and inequality
    • Sources of information
    • Voices from the ground
  • Members’ Room
EAPN