EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty

Social Impact of the Crisis – what solutions ?

EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORKRÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS

DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE

Input: Sian Jones, Policy Coordinator EAPNCommittee of the Regions ECOS

26th April 2012

Structure of Presentation

EAPN in the crisis Social impact on poverty of the crisis and

role of austerity measures EU role – is it helping? 5 Priorities for Action

EAPN in the Crisis

Independent NGO network committed to the fight against poverty, active since 1990

30 National Antipoverty Networks, 23 EU NGOs Commitment to participation of people with

direct experience of poverty Active partners in EU Inclusion strategies - but

dialogue fast disappearing… Monitoring crisis impact together - growing

anger with austerity and democratic deficit.

What’s happening to poverty?

Before the crisis – no decline in poverty, (16%) despite boom years of growth and jobs

2011: 115 million (23.4%) - increase of 2 million. Unequal impact - 40%: BG, RO v 15%: CZ, NL , SE Worst hit groups - youth, children and families,

but also LT unemployed, migrants/ minorities. Rising unemployment, particularly youth, but

jobs not always solution : 8.5% in-work poverty poverty, 1/3 of people in poverty have a job..

Growing inequality in income/wealth (OECD) and in perceptions – 80% (Eurobarometer)

Social impact of Government Austerity measures Immediate Crisis impact on jobs and housing,

austerity now key cause for increasing poverty. Cuts/reductions in social protection/minimum

income systems, destroying automatic stabilisers – reducing income support and resilience..

Cuts in public sector and NGO sector jobs/services; increased insecurity/reduced wages; focus on supply side: punitive activation/conditionality

Increasing difficulties in accessing basic food and services/ rising prices in food/energy/housing and health, exacerbating indebtedness

Growing Inequality Gap undermining social cohesion, growth and sustainable recovery

Is the EU helping?

Europe 2020 promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

Poverty, employment and education target, guidelines, flagship initiatives

Structural Funds to deliver on poverty target – 20% and 25% on ESF.

8 million shortfall on EU poverty target Employment only solutions, missing inequality,

access to rights, resources and services. EU Economic Governance driving austerity,

generating increasing poverty and inequality. Limited and weak participation of stakeholders

5 Priorities for Action

1. Challenge Austerity - defend social protection, minimum income+ public services as social floor for inclusive recovery.

2. Promote Social Investment + Green and Social New Deal, creating quality jobs

3. Ensure inclusion – integrated, Active Inclusion pathways, back social economy

4. Use EU funds to reduce poverty – support 20% ring-fencing of ESF on poverty, through integrated solutions, ensuring NGO access

5. Raise revenue fairly and put equality and democracy at the heart - tax justice + participative dialogue at all stages/levels.

EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORKRÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DE LUTTE

CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALESQUARE DE MEEUS, 18 – 1050 BRUSSELS

TEL: 0032 2 226 58 50 – FAX: 0032 2 26 58 69www.eapn.eu - team@eapn.eu

Thank you for your attention

For more information contact:Sian Jones at sian.jones@eapn.eu

www.eapn.eu