In this period EAPN National Networks have been busy lobbying their National Governments to support the poverty target in the Europe 2020 Strategy. Most Networks have written to their Prime Ministers and have been in touch with officials in the relevant Ministries. EAPN Belgium had a series of meetings with Ministers and cabinets of Ministers and has a meeting with their Prime Minister in advance of the Spring Council.
EAPN Ireland has made a press release calling on the Irish Government to back the Commission’s proposed poverty target. EAPN Finland has had meetings with key government officials. EAPN Netherlands decided to be in touch directly with the different political parties and have written to deputies in the Christian Democratic Party [CDA], the Christian Union party as well as to the heads of the other party’s. At time of writing we are also aware of actions from the Networks in Sweden, Italy, Portugal, UK, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark and Austria. Hopefully the combined efforts will lead to positive results in the conclusions reached at the Spring Council (25-26 March).