As we were approaching the 30th year of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), it was time to reflect. To do so, we undertook a Strategic Thinking Process that begun in 2018 and led to the adoption of our ‘Strategic Review’ in 2019. It was the opportunity to collectively imagine the future we want to see and what role EAPN will play to bring it about. As part of this process we undertook an exercise called Theory of Change that consists in the identification of:
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Our vision:
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A sustainable Europe, free of poverty and social exclusion, with high levels of equality, where political, social, cultural and economic rights are respected.
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6 major changes needed to achieve this vision:
- Strong, grass-roots, public support for the eradication of poverty across Europe (and beyond)
- People experiencing poverty having space to participate in society, in process around decisions which impact their lives
- A translation of political commitment into results
- An end to austerity politics
- Strong social protection systems (specifically Minimum Income schemes) and appropriate living wages across Europe
- Mitigation of technological, environmental and demographic changes to protect people experiencing poverty against future shocks
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4 priorities that will impact the most these changes and contribute to the vision:
- Policy expertise
- Strengthen the involvement of people experiencing poverty
- Building public support and pressure for the eradication of poverty and an end to neoliberalism austerity politics
- Advocate and campaign for social protection systems
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