EAPN

#2021PEP Annual European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty
2021-11-24 10:00 - 2021-11-25 12:00 UTC
Recharging Social Europe! #2021PEP

The 19th European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty is organised by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) with the support of the European Commission

The full draft programme of the Meeting is available on the programme page of our Voices of Poverty section of the website.
The National Networks Preparation page will be filled with news from different countries of how preparations for this year’s Meeting are going – for now see the preparation of the last edition in 2019! You can also follow us on Facebook EAPN – European Anti-Poverty Network , Instagram @EAPNEurope and Twitter @EAPNEurope!

Objectives of the 2021 European meeting
This years’ Meeting of People experiencing poverty will be centered on four important discussion topics:

Housing
Adequate Minimum Income
Good quality health care services
Digitalisation and the access to services will be considered as a cross-cutting issue. How has access to digital technology (access to internet, access to devices, knowledge of using technology) impacted the access to the services mentioned above and others?

170 people experiencing poverty from 28 European countries are preparing around these topics and will meet on 24-25 November to share their knowledge and experience with each other, and with EU decision-makers.
The crisis has severely impacted people experiencing poverty, and the Meeting is a concrete opportunity for PEP to express directly their experiences, concerns and recommendations in the context of a direct dialogue with key policy makers and politicians at EU level. This year therefore, in the context of a future-looking EU, the meeting will be shining a spotlight on the political priorities of PEP for rethinking and building a new future for Europe and its citizens.
This year, we propose an online meeting combining plenary sessions with online interactive workshops and short symbolic/visibility actions at national level. It is open to all representatives of National and EU level Institutions, interested in hearing experiences from the ground and engaging in dialogue with people experiencing poverty.
For further information, please contact Magda Tancau (Membership Development & Participation Officer) magda.tancau@eapn.eu
Practical info:
10:00 – 16:30 (24 Nov 2021) & 10:45 – 12:15 (25 Nov 2021), online

RIGHT TO ENERGY FORUM 2022
2022-01-24 14:00 - 18:00 | Online
As one of the co-founding members of the Right to Energy Coalition, EAPN is honoured to launch the Right to Energy Forum 2022, together with the European Public Service Unions (EPSU) and Friends of the Earth Europe.
We will present the new EAPN-EPSU briefing on the Right to Affordable, Clean Energy for All Europeans, during the opening session of the Right to Energy Forum 2022.
Join us on January 24 (14:00 – 15:30) and stay tuned: @EAPNEurope
Discover the full programme!
REGISTER HERE
Right now, skyrocketing energy prices are exacerbating energy poverty, pushing millions of Europeans to choose between eating and heating. But energy poverty is not a new phenomenon. Since 2017, the Right to Energy movement has forged a people-powered movement to challenge energy poverty across Europe. In 2021, we came together to shape new vital EU legislation including the Fit for 55 package and the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Access to affordable clean energy is a human right, and equal participation in a low-carbon economy must not be a privilege for a few!
People living on inadequate income and in energy-inefficient houses are paying a high price for soaring energy costs, are often missed out on deep renovation and risk getting locked in the fossil fuel infrastructure in the next decade. The transition to climate neutrality has also an unequal impact on the workforce in terms of upskilling and reskilling, access to green jobs and decent working conditions.
EAPN believes that the Forum is the right place to remind that social justice should be at the core of the energy and climate transitions. Achieving a socially inclusive decarbonisation and ensuring affordable adequate housing are a collective responsibility.
This year’s programme offers 5 days of discussions and interactive sessions with activists, politicians, environmental NGOs, trade unions, EU decision makers and solidarity collectives from across Europe to discuss energy poverty and its place in the social justice and climate movement as well as solutions to eradicate it.
The following themes will be discussed:

Energy poverty and climate justice, showcasing the right to energy movement across the EU and explaining why it’s a climate justice issue.
Addressing the root causes of Energy poverty, showcasing renovations and renewables as a crucial solution to tackle energy poverty.
Towards an energy system for people and planet, showcasing the need to change the energy system, and exposing how the neoliberal energy market exploits poor households.
From words to action: Commitments across the EU, showcasing the high-level commitments and actions taken by and in the EU. •The Next Steps for the Right to Energy movement, how to continue strategising as a movement in the year ahead.

EAPN Annual Policy Conference 2022 | The Backbone of a Truly Social Europe
2022-06-28 14:00 - 17:00
With this policy conference, we aim to contribute to a strong and ambitious Recommendation on Minimum Income Schemes to the Council, with a rights-based approach, that genuinely delivers for people experiencing poverty.
Minimum income should be high enough to enable people to live with dignity and feel like a part of society, thus ending social exclusion.(Key Message on Minimum Income from the European Meeting of People experiencing Poverty 2021)

Around 91 million people in Europe – more than one in five ! – are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The successive crises that Europe went through in recent years, such as the pandemic, the energy crisis and the inflation due to the Russian invasion against Ukraine, have impacted people in poverty the hardest. Rising prices of food, housing, services and the general cost of living are threatening the dignity and even the lives of millions of Europeans. More than ever, a strong social Europe that provides solutions to address the structural and long-term causes of the problems mentioned is needed. In this context, well-designed and effective Minimum Income Schemes (MIS) play a vital role to provide income protection and a route out of poverty to people most in need in our societies.
EAPN has put a strong focus on Minimum Income Schemes, since many years, even decades. This intense focus on and experience with the topic does not only illustrate the urgent need to deliver. It also shows our commitment and belief that a strong legislative instrument can make a real difference in the fight against poverty. Therefore, EAPN welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to present a new Recommendation to the Council on Minimum Income. As stated in our position , EAPN strongly advises that -for the Recommendation to deliver for people experiencing poverty- it needs to include clear and detailed monitoring systems for the implementation of MIS.

We understand that there will be a Recommendation on Minimum Income next year, but we see risks and dangers (from experience). For this to be useful it needs to be accompanied by clear and detailed guidance. A general approach will not honestly deal with the situation on the ground. (Participant from Bulgaria in the EU PEP Meeting 2021).

At this conference, we will present the EAPN proposals for the recommendation and ensure that the voices of people experiencing poverty are given a central role in the European debate on minimum income. Besides people experiencing poverty, the programme will also include speakers from the EU institutions, EU Member States, civil society and scientists.

The full agenda is available here.

Registration
You can sign up for the event here.
Practical Information

14:00 – 17:00 (Brussels time)
Zoom online conference
The conference languages will be: English, Spanish and French

Follow the conversation on Twitter @EAPNEurope, on Instagram and on Facebook

For more information

Read EAPN position on minimum income here
Read Expert’s opinion on a binding framework here
Read more about the EMIN’s project on Minimum Income here
Read EAPN’s contribution to the call for evidence here

Measuring energy poverty to ensure a socially fair green transition
2022-10-11 11:30 - 12:30 | Online
The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), together with Climate Alliance and Joint Research Centre, will host a workshop on “Measuring energy poverty to ensure a socially fair green transition”, in the context of the EU Regions’ Week. The session will take place online on Tuesday, 11 October 2022 from 11h30 to 13h00 CEST.
This session will bring together representatives from different organisations and with different capacities, in order to discuss the importance of impact assessment and data collection, as well as the challenges faced in measuring energy poverty and social justice in the green transition. EAPN’s own Policy Officer, Sabrina Iannazzone, will be sit on the panel as one of the speakers together with Gioros Koukoufikes from the Joint Research Centre, Alice Corovessi from INZEB, and Davide Cassanmagnago from the Covenant of Mayors Europe.

​The 20th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegions​​Week) will take place from 10 to 13 October 2022 under the motto “New Challenges for Europe’s Cohesion“. The topics of this year’s edition cover green and digital transitions, territorial cohesion and youth empowerment, with special attention given to the role of cohesion policy in Europe’s sustainable recovery, as the most effective tool for solidarity in response to emergency and the aftermath of crises.
You can register to the workshop here -> bit.ly/euregionsweek-measuring-energypoverty

EAPN Poverty Watch 2022 launch | In Unequal Times of Crises
2022-10-13 09:00 - 11:30 | European Parliament, Room ASP 7F387, Brussels, Belgium
On 13 October, EAPN holds the launch of our Poverty Watch “In Unequal Times of Crises” in the European Parliament, facilitated by Shada Islam, and co-hosted by MEP Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL), and MEP Mounir Satouri, (Greens/EFA).
The Poverty Watch is a bottom-up analysis of around 20 National Poverty Watches produced by our members that provides accurate evidence-based data on the state of play of poverty in Europe. This year’s edition incorporates the multiple relentless crises of the ongoing war in Ukraine, cost of living and energy crises and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This turmoil, which is far from being solved, exacerbates the pre-existing social injustices affecting vulnerable groups the most.
During our event, which forms part of our activities for the 17 October International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we will present our preliminary findings and EU-level recommendations. It will be our opportunity to bring to the forefront the need for an integrated and ambitious EU anti-poverty strategy to over this particular time of relentless crises.
Our event aims to:

Update on current real challenges of poverty
Highlight EAPN’s key concerns and recommendations
Allow EU policymakers and Civil Society Organisations to react to our findings, and
Generate a high-level political debate with representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament and Civil Society Organisations on long-term plans to overcome crises and create a cohesive social Europe, free of poverty and inequality.

At this conference, we will present the EAPN proposals for the recommendation and ensure that the voices of people experiencing poverty are given a central role in the European debate on minimum income. Besides people experiencing poverty, the programme will also include speakers from the EU institutions, EU Member States, civil society and scientists.

The full agenda is available here.

Registration
You can sign up for the event here.
Practical Information

9:00 – 11:30 (Brussels time)
European Parliament, room ASP 1G2
Interpretation in English, Spanish and French

Follow the conversation on Twitter @EAPNEurope, on Instagram and on Facebook
#PovertyWatch ~ #EndPoverty
For further information on content, contact Kahina Rabahi (Policy & Advocacy Coordinator) kahina.rabahi@eapn.eu, or on registration, contact Rebecca Lee (Information & Events Officer), rebecca.lee@eapn.eu
For more information

Access the latest editions of the national Poverty Watches here
See our other 17 October International Day activities here

People's Summit | EAPN EU and EAPN Portugal Policy conference
2023-03-17 10:00 - 18:00
How has the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) translated into concrete actions to benefit those living in the EU? Has it achieved a strong social Europe that is fair, inclusive and full of opportunities? Where are the gaps and opportunities?
EAPN Portugal and EAPN Europe will host a People’s Summit in Porto, Portugal, bringing together people experiencing poverty (PeP), our national members, political stakeholders and grass-roots organisations. Through a series of workshops and plenaries, we will address the structural barriers and explore solutions for a meaningful EPSR Action Plan in the next Commission mandate.
This is an opportune moment to influence the agenda of the second edition of the Porto Social Summit by pointing out key subjects that need to be discussed and generate political commitment for an ambitious EU anti-poverty strategy in the next Commission mandate. And an opportunity to create a true culture of participation for people experiencing poverty, and for the civil society entities that work directly with them.
More info here.

Capacity-building webinar on the European Semester
2023-12-06 14:00 - 16:30 | Online
Need help navigating the European Semester Process? Join our online capacity-building session!

📍 Online
Please register via the registration form by 24 November, end of day.
This capacity-building session – co-organised with EAPN Europe, ENSIE and ERGO Network as well as their respective members EAPN France, Skoopi (Sweden) and Integro Association (Bulgaria) – aims to give interested civil society organisations active at EU and national level as well as other interested stakeholders an introduction into the Semester, its importance for policy-making, its functioning and key moments and ways to engage.
The European Semester process is an annual year-long mandatory process that coordinates, monitors and evaluates Member States’ economic, fiscal, social, environmental and climate policies and reforms. It makes recommendations that contribute to turning various EU strategies, such as European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar), its Action Plan and EU headline targets on employment, skills, and poverty reduction and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), into reality. It also increasingly focuses on environmental and climate priorities, monitoring the implementation of national energy and climate plans. More recently, it has been linked with the Recovery & Resilience Facility (RRF) adopted to address the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve socially just green and digital transitions, thereby also directing the use of EU funding to these priorities. It monitors Member States’ implementation of their National Recovery & Resilience Plans.
The involvement of civil society organisations in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies is key to ensure they are evidence-based and correspond to the situation on the ground.
>> Learn more and register here.

Affordable Energy: Turning civil society views into action - Reporting by EPAH and EAPN on their Activities
2024-06-21 08:00 - 17:00
🚀 Exciting News!
We are thrilled to announce that Fernando Chironda, our Policy and Advocacy Officer, will be representing us at the upcoming conference on affordable energy. This session will feature the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) and the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), where they will report on their important work
📅 Check out the full program here: Full Program

EAPN Position Paper Launch Event at the European Parliament
2025-06-23 13:00 - 15:00 | European Parliament, room ASP 5E3, Brussels, Belgium
EAPN’s position paper, Towards the Eradication of Poverty, will be launched at the European Parliament on 23 June, in an event hosted by MEP Marit Maij (S&D), Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Fighting Against Poverty.
And you’re invited to join us!
Find the agenda here.
In 2026, the European Commission is expected to launch the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, a long-awaited milestone for millions of people living in poverty and the organisations that advocate with and for them.
Today, despite decades of initiatives, 93.3 million people across the EU remain at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Unless we push for a comprehensive, rights-based, ambitious and effective framework, it risks becoming just another missed opportunity.
Join us on 23 June at the European Parliament for the launch of EAPN’s position paper. Together with MEP Marit Maij (S&D), we’ll bring anti-poverty voices to the table to discuss how to adopt an inclusive and multidimensional approach, one that goes beyond socio-economic factors and addresses the root causes of poverty.
This is a critical political moment. The upcoming strategy could mark a turning point, but only if civil society, people experiencing poverty, and policy actors come together to demand a strong, rights-based, and comprehensive framework.
The event will explore poverty as a structural issue, beyond statistics, and provide space for stakeholders to collectively call for an ambitious EU commitment to eradicating poverty.

European Parliament, Brussels, ASP 3H1
13:00-15:00 (with networking from 14:30-15.00)
Find the agenda here

Eradicating poverty is a political choice. Alleviation of poverty is not enough. Everyone, not just some of us, deserves a dignified life.
Help shape the future of social justice in Europe.

Epic Fails 2.0 “It’s Not Me, it’s You”
2025-10-23 14:00 - 18:00
After the success of last year’s Epic Fails, we’re back with a new edition.
This time, we’re tackling the real battlefield: turning 50-page policy papers into messages that actually reach people.
Why join?

Share survival techniques for working across departments
Translate complex policy into communication that resonates
Learn how to embed comms thinking earlier in the process
And yes… vent a little!

Details
Co-hosted by Myriam Mhamedi & Susana Anastácio
Location: EAPN Office, Brussels
Date: 23 October
Time: 14:00 – 18:00 (including networking)

The event is open to communications professionals in NGOs, EU institutions, trade unions, think tanks – and brave policy/advocacy colleagues.
Registration is required https://forms.gle/12scw28osksxfEvM7

Anti-Poverty Day 2025
2025-11-05 08:30 - 17:00 | European Parliament, room ASP 5E3, Brussels, Belgium
The Anti-Poverty Day is taking place for the first time, co-organised by EAPN with MEPs from Greens/EFA, S&D, The Left, Renew, and EPP, with the support of the Intergroup on Fighting Against Poverty: a flagship event placing lived experience at the heart of EU policymaking.
The event will bring together MEPs, officials, civil society, grassroots movements and crucially, People Experiencing Poverty (PEP) to drive political development and policy change on the matter.
Join us on this day. Registrations open until 27 October 12.00 p.m.
Check the agenda
Register here: https://forms.gle/PztnZ6iEuZYR1VrW7
