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EAPN
The European Anti-Poverty Network
EAPN
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Voices of Poverty

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Poverty Watch Iceland | Poverty Watches Overview 2020

EAPN National Networks News

The Icelandic system of social benefits is a myriad of different systems that don’t always work together, but when they do, it seems to rather work to benefit the system itself, but not the claimant. This results in groups of people falling through gaps in the system (those who fall short of qualifying in all systems) or in overlapping rights that are interdependently affected, leaving the claimant in a poverty trap.

Poverty Watch Main Findings

Most affected groups

Low income families
People dealing with drug addiction
People with disabilities
Children from low income families

Main priorities

  • Make sure that nobody is denied treatment, testing or examination by health service providers because they cannot pay. 
  • There needs to be special support for children and young adults from poor households to enter and stay in education.
  • There needs to be an information center on social rights that guides people through the myriad of the social welfare system in Iceland.
  • It is a matter of urgency to make mental health services available to all and make a system for trauma counseling being present and available in all types of services. 
  • A guaranteed minimum income needs to be put in place as a national standard (a specified minimum amount) and accessible to anyone without an income.
  • Education should be free and registration fees negotiable if they are necessary at all.
  • Anxiety is often a big factor in the lives of PeP, especially those who have also grown up poor or have a long history of everyday struggle with poverty and even trauma. This has to be taken into account when providing services and measures taken to make sure there is personalized care and connection in addition to practical help.
  • Drug rehabilitation needs to be taken seriously with zero waiting times to
    detox and counseling made accessible to both patients and their families.
  • Social services need to be more solution-based and support the individual to self help at their own pace.
  • Stop all charging of services for school children. 
Read the Iceland Poverty Watch

Contact details

 Mrs. Vilborg Oddsdóttir Social Worker

       Head of Icelandic Church Aid Domestic Department

Tel: +354 528 4403 / +354 823 2321
E-mail: vilborg (@) help.is

October 23, 2020
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EAPN

Boulevard Bischoffsheim 11
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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