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 | 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 | 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
🚀 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
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
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 | 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
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 | 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 | 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

EAPN Talks: The Economics of Poverty
2025-11-12 15:00 - 16:15 | Online
Speaker: Professor Daniel Zamora Vargas
Date: 12 November, 3 p.m., online
This opening session examines how inequality is structurally embedded in our welfare states. Drawing on key thinkers, we will explore the ideological shifts that have reframed social protection as a cost rather than a right. The discussion will place the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy in a vital historical and political context, asking:

What economic models have shaped today’s welfare systems?
How has neoliberalism undermined the universality of social rights?
What alternative visions exist for rebuilding collective welfare?

Fill the registration form to attend!
Link for the event: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86839398917?pwd=[REDACTED]

23rd PEP Annual Meeting Participation in Action
2025-12-11 09:00 - 2025-12-12 17:00
On 11–12 December 2025, EAPN will hold the 23rd PEP Annual Meeting in Brussels, bringing together people experiencing poverty (PEP) from across Europe. This edition consolidates and closes a year-long series of meetings and consultations focused on the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
The PEP Meeting is a key moment for driving political development and policy change, connecting people experiencing poverty from EAPN national members to discuss the challenges and advances in the fight against poverty. In this edition, participants will also have the chance to engage with political stakeholders, European institutions, civil society organisations, and foundations.
EAPN continues to strengthen meaningful participation of people experiencing poverty at all levels of governance — local, national, and EU. This year’s agenda reflects this focus, offering capacity-building workshops designed to equip participants with the skills, confidence, and tools to engage meaningfully, influence decision-making, and participate safely and effectively throughout the advocacy cycle. Workshops will cover communication, advocacy, inclusion, participation, fundraising, and more.
This year’s meeting follows two major milestones: the High-Level European Commission Consultation on Poverty held on 18 September 2025 in Porto, and the First EU Anti-Poverty Day held on 5 November at the European Parliament. The PEP Meeting aims to consolidate the outcomes of both events, providing a dedicated space for exchange and for amplifying the voices, experiences, expertise and proposals of people experiencing poverty — voices that drive change within political spaces.
At the heart of EAPN’s mission is the belief that the fight against poverty is also a fight to empower people living in poverty and social exclusion. Meaningful participation is not just a principle, it is a key driver for eradicating poverty.
Stay tuned to learn more about the PEP Meeting.

EAPN Talks: Digitalisation of the Welfare State – A Surveillance Trap?
2026-02-24 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker: Bastien Le Querrec, La Quadrature du Net

Date: 24 February, 2 p.m., online
This session will explore how digitalisation is reshaping welfare systems across Europe, from automated decision-making and data-sharing practices to the growing risks of surveillance and exclusion.
Together with Bastien Le Querrec from La Quadrature du Net, we will examine whether digital tools are strengthening access to social protection or creating new barriers for people experiencing poverty. The discussion will focus on fundamental rights, accountability, and the safeguards needed to ensure that technology serves social justice rather than undermining it.
Fill the registration form to attend!
Link for the event
