The European Anti-Poverty Network Portugal (EAPN Portugal) and the European Anti-Poverty Network Europe (EAPN Europe) hosted the second edition of the People’s Summit in Porto on 28 March 2025, bringing together people experiencing poverty, EAPN Members, national and European policymakers, and grassroots social organisations to discuss the implementation of the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, announced by Ursula von der Leyen when the new European Commission took office in 2024.
The People’s Summit also aimed to influence the Social Forum, held in September in Porto, to reinforce the commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights and to co-design the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. The challenges are many, and the mix of panels and workshops was intended to reflect on and propose recommendations in crucial areas such as the social protection of workers, lack of access to social benefits and housing, and the participation of people experiencing poverty. The current international context demands that the European Union uphold its historic role in defending the values of freedom and equality, and live up to the original mission of peace and cooperation. We must shift the current paradigm based on competition and growth, and recentre Europe on positive social change, with a focus on the eradication of Poverty.
