EAPN

Popular Political Economy in Europe? Looking for a pathway for job-creating and ecological public investment
2019-03-14 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | RLS Brussels, Rue Saint-Ghislain, 62, Brussels, 1000, Belgium
It is obvious that the economy after the major global crash in 2007 did not return to a sustainable path that would guarantee a decent life in dignity, providing socio-economic security and unfolding of human capabilities to the majority of European citizens. At the beginning of 2019, it is highly likely that we are entering a new recession. Also, while there are signs of stability in some places, it is equally clear that such achievements are established on the shoulders of social strata and/or countries and regions that are not winners of global value chains, but losers, standing at the end of poverty chains. Within the EU, it is evident by the arrogance, expressed in using the term “PIIGS” for a group of member states that are victims of an oppressive economic strategy; globally, it is obvious that the catching-up of the so-called emerging economies means increasing inequality in countries such as Brazil, China and India.
The European Economists for an Alternative Economic Policy in Europe (the EuroMemo Group) is a network of European researchers and scholars addressing these issues by a critical analysis of contemporary developments in the European Union. Critical research and policy analysis alone will however not trigger political change on the ground. In order to achieve the latter, discussion and coordination with political activists is essential for asking the important questions and to move things forward.
We face the urgent need to go beyond the orientation of coping with the manifest crisis and the temporary recoveries. We need – globally, regionally and nationally – socio-economic programmes that allow for a transformation towards a ‘people’s economy’, also being a bulwark against authoritarian populist advances. This evening will briefly present the EuroMemo Group’s work and recent analysis. The main aim is to continue and enhance the debate with other actors, aiming to solidify the common ground for a popular Europe, able to withstand an apparent populist Zeitgeist.

Agenda
You can download the agenda here

WELCOME by Andreas Thomsen, Head of RLS Brussels Office
PRESENTATION of the EuroMemo 2019 by Werner Raza & Marija Bartl
PANEL DISCUSSION: POLITICAL PRIORITIES FOR A POPULAR POLITICAL ECONOMY IN EUROPE

Sian Jones, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
Nick Meynen, European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
Peter Herrmann, EuroMemo
Alter Summit (to be confirmed)

Registration
If you would like to participate please register by March 11th, by sending an email to janna.aljets@rosalux.org.

For more information, click here

Dignity and Well-being: Exchange for changing Seminar
2019-05-09 | Warsaw
SMES-Europa, with partners of the project Erasmus+, organise the European Seminar : “Dignity and Well-being- Exchange for changing” , to conclude and to disseminate the results of the Erasmus+ project.
The Seminar will take place in Warsaw on 9 May 2019.
The purpose of this seminar is to exchange of experience and views on:

how to promote fundamental rights and well-being for persons in extreme poverty situation, connected with severe mental health problems, helping them for :

social assistance,
adequate housing,
proper healthcare,
participation opportunities;

how to ensure better cooperation and coordination between services and institutions helping such persons – especially on the junction of social and health fields;
how to reach out to those isolated in most precarious conditions.

More information is available in this MANUAL
The organization of this final European meeting is particularly assured by the local Erasmus+ partner: the Diocesan Caritas of Warsaw, in collaboration with the other seven partners: Applicant : Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa (PT) – SMES-Europa (BE) – Projekt UDENFOR (DK) – ISTITUTO ANDREA DEVOTO (IT) – Society of Social Psychiatry & Mental Health (GR) – PARC SANITARI SANT JOAN DE DEU (SP) – Midladns Simon Community (IRL)

Agenda
The agenda is available here

Registration
To register, please submit your registration before 20 April (you can find the registration form here)
Please send back this form filled in by email to: aczarnocki@caritasaw.pl
Or contact Andrzej Czarnocki: +48 602 698 054

EAPN Annual conference | Beyond Europe 2020 to Agenda 2030: Working together for a post 2020 strategy that really benefits people and planet
2019-06-13 08:30 - 13:00 UTC
EAPN’s annual conference will be 13 June. We will provide a participative reflection space to progress concrete proposals.
The conference will aim to:

To raise awareness of current challenges facing people experiencing poverty in the context of a lacking strategy.
To exchange with stakeholders & decision-makers on concrete proposals for the EU post 2020 Strategy.
To debate on how to create synergies to benefit people and planet, as part of a transformative EU and in the context of the new Commission and Parliament.

See the programme here!
2020 marks the end of the Europe 2020 strategy that aimed to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Despite unacceptable failure to deliver on the key target to reduce those in poverty by at least 20 million people by 2020, no review or public consultation of the strategy is planned.
The main proposals coming from the Commission are through the Future of Europe Reflection papers. In January 2019 a new Reflection Paper “Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030’’ was adopted. This paper aims to stimulate discussion on the EU’s vision and strategy for the long-term implementation of the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as part of a broader debate on the future of Europe and the priority setting for the new European Commission. It sets out three scenarios on how Agenda 2030 and the SDGs could be incorporated into the EU’s priorities.
One of the priorities is a socially fair transition to a sustainable economy that should leave no one behind, yet the paper predominantly focuses on how to deliver green growth, with the social objectives left to the European Pillar of Social Rights.
In 2017, EAPN’s policy conference Learning from the past to beyond Europe 2020 already agreed key messages on the need for an ambitious post 2020 built on Europe 2020 targets that could deliver an “ambitious social, sustainable and democratic vision for Europe based on Agenda 2030 and the SDGs”. This strategy should implement the European Pillar of Social Rights and develop an explicit rights-based integrated anti-poverty strategy based on active participation and backed by EU funding. This has been further developed under EAPN’s Future of Europe Position Paper, calling for support for a sixth scenario.
This participative conference comes therefore at a timely moment – just after the election of the new European Parliament and the start of the new Commission, – to agree concrete demands that can ensure that the post 2020 strategy really delivers on social rights and poverty, putting SDG 1 at the heart of a truly social and sustainable post 2020 strategy.
Key speakers

First Vice-President, Commissioner Frans Timmermans, European Commission (tbc)
Carlos Susías, EAPN President/EAPN ES
Vera Hinterdorfer, EAPN Vice-President/Activist with direct experience of poverty/EAPN AT
Heather Roy, Secretary General, Eurodiaconia
Freek Spinnewijn, Director, FEANTSA
Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General, Eurochild (tbc)
Leida Rijnhout, Steering Group member, SDG Watch and Agenda 2030 Multi-Stakeholder Platform
Mary Collins, Senior Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, European Women’s Lobby
Graciela Malgesini, Chair of EAPN EU Inclusion Strategies Group/EAPN ES
Marco Cilento, Senior Advisor, ETUC
First Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mairead McGuiness (via video)

Practical information
13 June 2019, 9:00 – 13:00, Area 42, rue des Palais 46A, 1030 Brussels
Around 80 EAPN members, including people with direct experience of poverty, and around 50 external stakeholders will participate.
For further information on content, contact Sian Jones (Policy Coordinator) sian.jones@eapn.eu or on registrations Rebecca Lee (Information & Events Officer), rebecca.lee@eapn.eu | Tel. +32 2 226 58 50
Follow us on Twitter @EAPNEurope
Photo: © Rebecca Lee, EAPN
This event is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020). The information contained does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. For further information please consult: http://ec.europa.eu/social/easi.

The Time is Now to make Europe Poverty Free! #2019PEP
2019-11-18 08:00 - 2019-11-19 14:30 UTC
The Time is Now to make Europe Poverty Free! #2019PEP

The 18th European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty is organised by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) with the support of the EU Commission and the EAPN Fund, and with the participation of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The programme of the Meeting is available here.

The National Networks Preparation page will soon be filled with even more news from different countries of how preparations for this year’s Meeting are going! You can also follow us on Facebook EAPN – European Anti-Poverty Network and Twitter @EAPNEurope!
Objectives of the 2019 European meeting
This years’ Meeting of People experiencing poverty will be centered on five important discussion topics:

Access to housing,
Participation of people experiencing poverty in the lives of their communities and societies,
Access to adequate minimum income,
Access to good quality health care services,
and access to decent jobs and equal employment opportunities for different categories.

Over a hundred people experiencing poverty from 30 European countries are preparing around this topic and will be in Brussels on 18-19 November to share their knowledge and experience with each other, and with EU decision-makers.
The 2019 European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty is taking place during a new term of the European Commission and Parliament. We are hoping to use this opportunity to raise awareness about the history and the importance of the PeP meetings, which have been organized since 2000. This meeting, as with all the past meetings, will allow people with direct experience of poverty to discuss their political priorities, first at the national level and then during the European meeting. We would like to use this meeting to shape the agenda of the new European institutions to include the common priorities of those experiencing poverty throughout Europe.

Practical info:
9:30 – 17:30 (18 Nov) & 9:00 – 14:30 (19 Nov), Crowne Plaza, Rue Gineste 3, 1210 Brussels
Places are limited so please contact us if keen to participate @ magda.tancau (@) eapn.eu!

EAPN’s online policy conference | How to ensure the poor don’t pay for Covid-19 – From short-term response to an effective rights-based integrated antipoverty strategy ~14 July 2020
2020-07-14 14:00 - 16:30 UTC
EAPN’s annual policy conference will be held online on 14 July, 14-16:30, which will focus on how to ensure the poor don’t pay for Covid-19 – and ensuring that short-term responses feed into an effective long-term rights-based EU strategy to fight poverty. There will be interpretation between English and Spanish.
The current COVID19 epidemic is decimating Europe, with a far-reaching social impact, particularly on the poor and most vulnerable who are hardest hit. This is already leading to a substantial increase in poverty and inequality, unequally spread across different regions and countries (see EAPN COVID-19 statement). Most Member States have developed immediate aid packages which in many cases directly benefit the poor and vulnerable. Most however are only temporary. Will these deliver concrete results for people experiencing poverty? Will these short-term measures feed into a progressive, rights-based EU strategy to fight poverty? What needs to be done to ensure this outcome?
EAPN and its members responded quickly to the outbreak of the virus with a Statement and letter to the European Council on key measures as well as a letter to Commissioner Schmit, signed by large number of MEPs and key stakeholders. See our dedicated online resource, including voices from the ground, here. Over the past 2 months we have carried out a detailed study including webinar exchanges with our members in 32 countries, tracking the impact of the crisis on people experiencing poverty and the efficacy of the measures being taken.
In the longer term, we want to see these measures underpinned by an EU integrated strategy to fight poverty, that invests in adequate incomes (decent wages, adequate minimum income and social protection) and access to essential services, as part of the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights. Adopting a social and sustainable Agenda 2030 strategy, that makes ending poverty a pre-requisite, will be key to ensuring real results for people experiencing poverty. (See EAPN’s position Paper on post 2020: Delivering Agenda 2030 for people and planet).
With this online conference we will now present our study’s main findings and policy recommendations for national and EU levels and discuss them with decision makers & stakeholders.
See the programme here
Register here by 10 July!

Conference Our Social Europe - Strong Together | Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union
2020-09-16 09:30 - 17:00 UTC
EAPN will take an active part in the conference “Our Social Europe – Strong Together” on 16 September 2020. This conference organised by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs under their presidency of the Council of the European Union will be the opportunity to discuss:

How can we use social and employment policy but also economic and fiscal policy to bolster the upward convergence of living conditions in Europe and overcome the crisis?
What are effective ways to promote inclusive growth and combat inequality and poverty in Europe?

The Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU
The aim is to promote solidarity and to work together on the issue of upward convergence in living and working conditions in view of the Corona crisis. Our Social Europe is only strong together.
EAPN’S workshop
EAPN, along with Caritas Europe, Eurodiaconia and the Social Platform, will hold a workshop on Adequate, accessible & enabling minimum income schemes across Europe. We are going to specifically advocate for an EU Framework Directive on Adequate Minimum Income to lay the foundation of a basic social safety net, while at the same time reducing poverty and inequalities by fostering upward social convergence within and across EU Member States and mitigating the immediate and long-term socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speakers
The conference will include contributions by:

Violeta Alexandru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Romania
Ana Mendes Godinho, Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Protection, Portugal
Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
Renate Hornung-Draus, Managing Director, Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA)
Jana Maláčová, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Czech Republic
David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament
Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights
Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

Registration
Please note that the conference will be held on-line but in case the situation allows, a limited number of seats will be available for on-site guests. If you want to participate on-site in Berlin, you need to register by 12th August 2020 here!
Read the programme

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - European Parliament Poverty Intergroup event
2020-10-15 15:00 - 17:30 UTC
Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all
We and members ATD Fourth World have been working with the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Poverty who are planning an online event on 15 October 2020. The focus will be ‘Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all’, which links to the global theme (see here).
Time: 15:00 – 17:30
To register, click here
Interpretation: English, French, Italian and Portuguese
PROGRAMME

15:00 – 15:10
Introduction
Cindy Franssen | Co-Chair of the IG Fighting Against Poverty

15:10 – 15:25
Key Note Speech
Olivier De Schutter | UN Special Rapporteur for Extreme Poverty

15:25 – 16:00
Experiences and recommendations from the point of view of persons experiencing poverty
Video | Dialogue on sustainability with persons experiencing poverty in Belgium
Céline Dock | ATD Fourth World / Belgium
Cidália Barriga | European Anti-Poverty Network / Portugal
Pacou Dessicy | European Anti-Poverty Network / Belgium

16:00 – 16:20
First reactions
Marisa Matias | Vice-Chair of the IG Fighting Against Poverty
Marie Toussaint | Vice-Chair of the IG Fighting Against Poverty
Santina Bertulessi | Deputy Head of Cabinet – Commissioner Nicholas Schmit
Representative of the Green New Deal European Parliament Intergroup

16:20 – 16:50
Open the floor for other participants

16:50 – 17:00
Wrap-up and Closure
Pierfrancesco Majorino, Co-Chair of the IG Fighting Against Poverty

Launch of Poverty Watch 2020 – "Covid-19 supercharging poverty": data and experiences from the ground
2021-01-29 14:00 - 16:30 UTC
The Poverty Watches start from the reality of people experiencing poverty and the perspectives of NGOs who work with them. With poverty predicted to rise to at least levels seen in the 2008 crisis, and the EU Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights and Recovery and Resilience Plans around the corner, the time is now to get poverty elimination right.
The event, hosted online by MEPs Cindy Franssen and Marisa Matias, will hear about realities and recommendations from our members in Belgium, Portugal, Slovenia and in the International Federation of Social Workers. MEPs and the Commission will respond and together we will discuss ways forward.
Draft Programme
You can find the draft programme here (PDF).
Registration
To register to the conference, please fill in this form before 22 January 2021.
Practical information
Format: via Zoom
Date: 29 January 2021 – 14:00 – 16:30

For further information on content, contact Anna Krozser (Policy & Advocacy Coordinator) anna.krozser@eapn.eu, or on registrations Rebecca Lee (Information & Events Officer), rebecca.lee@eapn.eu | Tel. +32 2 226
#PovertyWatch

EAPN Portugal|Europe webinar | Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights
2021-03-22 10:00 - 17:00 UTC
On 22 March, EAPN Portugal and EAPN Europe will hold an online conference “Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights”. It will be opened by the Minister of State for the Portuguese Presidency of the EU, Mariana Vieira da Silva, and the President of EAPN Portugal, Padre Jardim Moreira, and José Antonio Vieira da Silva , Advisor to the Presidency will give a keynote speech. Ana Mendes Godinho, Ministry of Labour, Solidarity & Social Protection, will close the afternoon session. See other key speakers below.
There will be two round tables, the first in the morning on the Action Plan for the Implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the second in the afternoon on Adequate Minimum Income.
On 4 March 2021, the European Commission issued its Action Plan, and EAPN issued a first reaction on 5 March. We are working on a more comprehensive analysis, building on the EAPN Response to the EC Consultation on the EPSR AP (June 2020).
The event seeks answers to the following questions: How can we best use the Action Plan to reduce poverty and social exclusion and to improve the access to and quality of public services for all? How can we ensure that everybody has access to adequate and enabling minimum income schemes? And how can we best give a role and voice to people experiencing poverty?
It will cater for interpretation in English, Portuguese and French and will be livestreamed on the EAPN Portugal Facebook page.
Access the agenda and background information here.
Key speakers in morning round table on the Action Plan’s meaning for citizens’ lives | chair: Sandra Monteiro, Le Monde Diplomatique:

Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic, Director, DG Employment, European Commission
Edmundo Martinho, Coordinator of the Portuguese Strategy to combat Poverty
Graciela Malgesini, EU and Advocacy Officer, EAPN Spain and Co-Chair of EAPN EU Inclusion Strategies Group
Representative of Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
Vladimir Špidla, Former European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and Advisor to EAPN Czech Republic
Jeanne Dietrich, Housing Technical Councellor, UNIOPSS and EAPN France
Valentina Vehovar, Acting-Director, Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Key speakers in afternoon round table on Adequate Minimum Income | chair: Sandra Araujo, EAPN Portugal:

Mathias Maucher, EAPN Policy Officer
Dr. Andreas Aust, Social policy Officer, Der Paritätische and EAPN Germany
Cidalia Barriga, Representative of National Citizens Council, EAPN Portugal
Linnéa Partanen, Person with experience of poverty representative, EAPN Finland

Practical Info and registration:

22 March 2021, 10:00-13:30 CET; 15:00-17:00 CET
Interpretation in EN, PT, FR
Livestreaming on Facebook page of EAPN Portugal
Registration link.

Follow the conversation on Twitter @EAPNEurope
For further information on content, contact Mathias Maucher (Policy Officer) mathias.maucher@eapn.eu, or on registration, contact Rebecca Lee (Information & Events Officer), rebecca.lee@eapn.eu

This event is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020). The information contained does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. For further information please consult: http://ec.europa.eu/social/easi.

EAPN Annual Policy Conference 2021 | Building Back Better without Poverty!
2021-06-29 09:00 - 13:00 (Europe/Brussels)
On 29 June, the annual EAPN Policy Conference will take place. This time around we will have a timely discussion of the further impacts of a continuing COVID-19 pandemic on poverty, but also look at how the green and digital transitions of the EU will impact people at risk of social and economic exclusion in Europe.
The objectives of the conference are to:

Generate a high-level political debate on the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable and poor and how to advance social rights and the creation of a cohesive and inclusive society for all
Update the situation of poverty according to the different profiles of people in poverty affected by the pandemic (hearing from experts on Child and Elderly Poverty, Gender Inequality, undocumented migrants, and the Homeless)
Discuss the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (EPSR AP)
Debate a possible new overarching Europe 2030 strategy against poverty, linking the Green Deal, Digital Europe and the EPSR AP in order to ensure an equal commitment to realise green, digital and social targets
Evaluate the EPSR Action Plan’s goal of reducing the number of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million.

The event will be formed of two panels, with Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Director of Social Affairs in the European Commission providing a keynote speech.
The full agenda can be viewed here.
The complete list of confirmed speakers can be found here:

Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Director of Social Affairs, DG EMPL, European Commission
Annoula Magga, Vice-President of EAPN Greece, Person experiencing poverty
Jiri Svarc, Head of Unit for Social Investment Strategy DG EMPL, European Commission
Maciej Kucharczyk, General Secretary, AGE Platform Europe
Freek Spinnewijn, Director, Feantsa
Ally Dunhill, Head of Advocacy, Eurochild
Michele Levoy, Secretary General, PICUM
Mary Collins, Senior Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, European Womens Lobby
Dennis Radtke MEP
Cveto Ursic, State Secretary for Social Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Slovenia
Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Marisa Matias MEP
Federico Lucidi, Deputy Head of Unit for Employment and Social Aspects of the European Semester, DG EMPL, European Commission
Graciela Malgesini, EAPN EU Inclusion Strategies Group co-Chair/EAPN Spain

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

9:00 – 13:00 (Brussels time)
Zoom online conference
English, Spanish, Greek and French languages!!

Follow the conversation on Twitter @EAPNEurope

#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 UTC | 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 UTC
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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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

EU PeP Meeting 2022
2022-11-29 09:30 - 2022-11-30 14:00 UTC | Royal Library of Belgium, Boulevard de l'Empereur 4, Brussels, 1000, Belgium
The 20th edition of the European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty (PeP) took place under the title of ‘The unbearable cost of living‘ on 29 and 30 November 2022 in Brussels, Belgium and focused on the ongoing crisis caused by the very high cost of living.
The EU PeP Meeting 20022 explored challenges and solutions linked to the unbearably high cost of living caused by the multiple crises we have been facing: the economic crisis, climate crisis, the war in Ukraine and aftermath of the Corona crisis.
The meeting was an occasion for around 100 people experiencing poverty from about 30 different countries across Europe to have their voices heard, to connect with politicians and decision makers, and inform policymaking processes at European level on the impact of the cost of living crisis on people’s lives.
You can find the agenda of the meeting here.

For further information, please contact Magda Tancau (Membership Development & Participation Officer) at magda.tancau@eapn.eu and Chiara Gonzi (Events Officer) at chiara.gonzi@eapn.eu
To read more on the work that EAPN does with people experiencing poverty, please read here.

Right to Energy Forum 2023
2023-02-21 - 2023-02-23
EAPN is honoured to participate in the launch of the Right to Energy Forum 2023, and raise the voice of people experiencing energy poverty in the ongoing energy and cost of living crisis.
Join us on 21 – 23 February 2023.
This year’s programme is filled to the brim with interactive sessions and inspiring talks from activists, experts, organisers, and government officials. Be sure to reserve your place, as tickets are based on availability.
Register here
Full Programme
With many Europeans already strained with the cost of living crisis, energy poverty is making headlines due to skyrocketing prices, forcing millions to make an unconscionable choice between eating and heating. This is a watershed moment for Europe. We must come together to ensure 2023 becomes a landmark year for tackling energy poverty, as well as implementing long-term solutions to shield the most vulnerable and prevent future energy crises.
Social justice should be at the core of the energy and climate transitions. Everyone has a right to clean, affordable energy and decent housing. Achieving a socially inclusive decarbonisation and ensuring affordable adequate housing are a collective responsibility. The Right to Energy movement is a people-powered movement that successfully challenges energy poverty in Europe since its formation in 2017
EAPN Europe will be hosting the following sessions:

After the windfall tax: The next big ideas for a right to energy
Climate Justice is Social Justice, Social Justice is Climate Justice

This year’s programme offers 3 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.
For further information, please contact Sabrina Iannazzone (Policy & Advocacy Officer) at sabrina.iannazzone@eapn.eu

People's Summit | EAPN EU and EAPN Portugal Policy conference
2023-03-17 10:00 - 18:00 UTC
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.

EU PeP Meeting 2023
2023-11-14 - 2023-11-15 | CaixaForum, Madrid, P.º del Prado, 36. (Spain)
We are very happy to announce the 21st edition of the European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty (PEP) “The Unbearable Cost of Living | EU Elections Edition”, in CaixaForum Madrid, Spain.
The meeting – organised by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN Europe) and EAPN Spain, with financial support from DG Employment, the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030 and La Caixa Foundation – will take place on 14 and 15 November.

Ahead of the EU Elections in 2024, EAPN Europe and its network are sounding the alarm because very little has changed. Around 100 people living in poverty from about 30 European countries will gather in Madrid, Spain, to further discuss how the current crisis in the cost of living is affecting their lives and the solutions they see to address it.
#PEP2023 will explore challenges and solutions linked to the unbearably high cost of living due to the multiple crises we face. We are currently living in an unbearable cost of living crisis. The past months have been marked by rising inflation throughout Europe. This means that the prices of basic goods such as food, electricity, mobility and housing have risen exponentially.
The European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty is an opportunity to make their voices heard, to connect with politicians and decision-makers, inform policy-making processes at the European level about the impact of the cost of living crisis on people’s lives and to strengthen networks between entities and people throughout Europe.

Register now and join us in Madrid on 15 November to attend some insightful discussions!
On 15 November, we open registrations for the public to participate in the discussion and join the plenary session with politicians and decision-makers. Kindly note that attendance on 14 November is not possible, as the meeting will be internal.
>> Register via this link.

More information and the programme via this link.
** We will have interpretation in English, Spanish and French.

Capacity-building webinar on the European Semester
2023-12-06 14:00 - 16:30 UTC | 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.

Launch of the EAPN 2023 Poverty Watch Report
2024-04-08 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | european economic and social comitee, rue Van Maerlant 2, Brussels, Belgium
2023 Poverty Watch Report Launch Event: Unsustainable Welfare States and Risk of Austerity
8 April 2024 @ European Economic and Social Committee
Van Maerlant Building, Room VMA22

The European Poverty Watch report is a compilation of data and analysis from EAPN’s member bottom-up research national reports. It is an evidence-based report on the current trends and policies on poverty and social exclusion in Europe with concrete recommendations on EAPN’s priority matters. Every year, this exercise, as our key advocacy tool, describes poverty as a multidimensional concept at the top of the political agenda, addresses the root causes of poverty, and amplifies the voices of people experiencing poverty both at national and regional levels.
Register here
Livestream here

PEP2024
2024-06-14 09:00 - 18:00 UTC | The Nhow Hotel Brussels, Rue Royale 250, 1210 Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

Affordable Energy: Turning civil society views into action - Reporting by EPAH and EAPN on their Activities
2024-06-21 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
🚀 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

Members - EAPN Talks with EIGE
2024-06-26 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
Dear Members,
We are thrilled to announce the new date for the second edition of our EAPN Talk!
About three times a year, we invite an engaging organization to delve into a specific topic. Exclusively for all EAPN members!
For this third EAPN Talk, we will explore the intersectionality of gender and socio-economic rights with insights from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).
Join us for two hours with Lina Salanauskaite and Sarah Cooke O’Dowd that are going to introduce EIGE Equality Index and their position on economic independence.

EAPN talks - EU ELECTIONS 2024: What's next for the missing poor?
2024-09-18 10:00 UTC
The next edition of EAPN Talks happens on Wednesday 18 September 2024 (10:00 – 12:00 Brussels time). To EAPN Talks we invite activists and civil society organisations to delve into a specific topic, providing an opportunity for all EAPN members to learn, share and build knowledge together!
We will discuss how the 2024-2029 EU institutional changes, particularly the rise of far-right and right-wing parties, affect social justice and fundamental rights. The focus will be on the ‘missing poor’—those often overlooked by traditional policies and statistics, such as the homeless, undocumented individuals, people in institutions, those on the move, and those deprived of liberty.
To explore the possibilities for ‘What strategies can EU civil society organisations use to make the missing poor’s voice heard in a hostile political context?’ we will be joined by ENAR, the European Disability Forum, and ERGO Network.
Don’t miss this enlightening webinar—get informed and engage with us!

PEOPLE’S SUMMIT
2024-11-28 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | The Nhow Hotel Brussels, Rue Royale 250, 1210 Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
On 18 July 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a historic commitment: the launch of the EU’s first-ever Anti-Poverty Strategy, set for the 2024-2029 mandate. While the strategy’s full scope is yet to be revealed, EAPN welcomes this crucial step towards eradicating poverty and social exclusion across Europe.
In addition to the Anti-Poverty Strategy, the European Commission has pledged to renew the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, along with strategies for Gender Equality, LGBTIQ Equality, and Anti-Racism. New initiatives, including a Quality Jobs Roadmap, a Pact for European Social Dialogue, and a European Affordable Housing Plan, are also planned. These commitments signal a strengthened EU focus on social inclusion and equity.
For EAPN, which has advocated for an EU Anti-Poverty Strategy since 1990, this announcement marks a major milestone. However, President von der Leyen’s announcement also raises a critical question:
How can we ensure that the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy effectively eliminates poverty and social exclusion?

What to Expect at the People’s Summit
The People’s Summit is a dedicated policy platform to amplify the voices of those experiencing poverty, connect national EAPN members, engage with political stakeholders, and unite grassroots organisations from across Europe. The 2024 Summit will focus on sharing insights from people experiencing poverty (PeP), EAPN members, policymakers, and social experts on the creation of a truly impactful EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
This summit is an opportunity to:

Hear directly from individuals impacted by poverty and social exclusion.
Explore policy recommendations for building an inclusive, ambitious Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Connect with other organisations, policymakers, and advocates dedicated to social rights and poverty eradication.

This event is supported by the European Commission and the Robert Bosch Foundation.

People’s Summit 2025 Porto Edition “The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy: From Intention to Action”
2025-03-28 09:30 - 18:00 UTC
The 2025 People’s Summit will take place on the 28 March, in Porto, Portugal, co-organised by EAPN Europe and EAPN Portugal.

This edition will continue the push towards an ambitious EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, bringing together voices from across Europe – people experiencing poverty, grassroots social organisations, policymakers, national and European institutions representatives.
Building from the takeaways and recommendations from its last editions, it will be a forum to present concrete recommendations for the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy – the challenges to be addressed, priorities, and concrete legislative, policy and budgetary measures.

AGENDA

European Poverty Watch Launch
2025-04-08 09:30 - 12:00 UTC | european economic and social comitee, rue Van Maerlant 2, Brussels, Belgium
On 8 April, the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) will launch its latest Poverty Watch Report, “Towards a systemic approach to social protection”, at an event co-organised by the EAPN and the EESC Civil Society. It will take place at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels.
Launch Page
Poverty has remained at considerable levels in Europe in recent years whilst progress towards meeting the EU’s 2030 poverty reduction targets remained limited. In this report, EAPN tries to highlight the need for significantly systemic efforts. Additionally, EAPN shares an update of the persistent poverty rates, in its various manifestations.
The absence of a systemic approach is evident throughout the various stages of the policy cycle of social rights instruments. Among the most salient issues, our 2024 Poverty Watch addresses:

The limited involvement of those living in poverty and social exclusion—both during the design of social protection policies and assessment of their impact.
Concerns about the coherence of social protection policies with the basic principles governing our democracies, as well as with other policies
The coverage and financing of social protection schemes
The growing number of challenges that hinder their protective function, such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, climate change, ageing societies, war, and the shrinking of democracies worldwide.

Agenda link.
This is an in-person event that will be webstreamed.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/DPHzha2GgcUGEchq8

EAPN Position Paper Launch Event at the European Parliament
2025-06-23 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | 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 UTC
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
