EAPN has called on the Commissioner to insist on country specific recommendations that require urgent integrated action to fight poverty and inequality and to insist on meaningful stakeholder engagement in the preparation and implementation of the NRPs. This assessment was made by EAPN Members at a seminar they held in Brussels on 4 May.
“EAPNs review of the NRPs highlight a disappointing failure to take poverty reduction or meaningful stakeholder engagement seriously, in the majority of countries. This not only jeopardizes the credibility of Europe 2020, it undermines support for an EU that appears incapable to many of finding solutions that prioritise people over markets” said Ludo Horemans, President of EAPN.
In addition to key messages EAPN members have presented shadow country-specific and thematic-specific recommendations that would demonstrate that the poverty target is an integrated part of the Europe 2020 strategy. EAPN will be assessing the Commissions Recommendations against their proposals.
“There are some new signs that EU leaders recognise that an inclusive exit from the crisis requires addressing poverty and inequality and needs social investment. It is time to turn these words into actions and to make a balanced Europe 2020 strategy the exit route out of the crisis” said Fintan Farrell, Director of EAPN.
An EAPN full written assessment of the NRPs will be finalized in June, based on a questionnaire and scoreboard survey.
EAPN initial Key Messages on NRP 2012
- Austerity policies are generating poverty and undermining an inclusive recovery.
- Poverty not a visible priority in the NRPs.
- Double punishment for Troika countries exempted from Europe 202O targets.
- Missed opportunity for social investment in quality jobs, social protection + integrated Active Inclusion.
- Little sign of increased Structural Funds use for poverty-reduction.
- No visible improvement on stakeholder engagement.
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See the full letter to the Commissioner Andor.
See EAPN shadow country specific and thematic recommendations.
For further information, contact Fintan Farrell (Director), fintan.farrell@eapn.eu or Sian Jones Policy coordinator sian.jones@eapn.eu Tél: +32 474 797934 (mobile) +32 2 229.58.50 – fax. +32 2 226 58 69 –E-mail: team@eapn.eu website: www.eapn.eu.