EU Money for Poverty Reduction NOW! new campaign and petition

In October 2011, the European Commission proposed the draft regulation for the next Round of Cohesion Policy. In its proposal, a minimum share of 25% of the Cohesion policy budget is devoted to the European Social Fund (ESF) and at least 20% of the ESF is earmarked for social inclusion and fighting poverty.

This was widely welcomed by Social NGOs as a concrete proposal to give credence to the poverty reduction target agreed by EU leaders as an integral part of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

In a stark contrast to the European Commission’s proposal and applaud from the civil society, 26 out of 27 EU Member States seem ready to reject this proposal. To put this decision in a context, it is worth of reminding that there were 23% of EU population - almost 1 in 4 - (including 27% of children) living in poverty or social exclusion in 2010.

The Campaign EU Money for Poverty Reduction NOW! seeks to secure:

 The allocation of at least 25% of the Cohesion Policy budget to the European Social Fund (ESF);

 The earmarking of at least 20% of the ESF to social inclusion and poverty reduction.

Alongside initiatives at EU and national level carried out by the NGOs involved this campaign aims at gathering as much support as possible through a petition.

This campaign is coordinated by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) together with its members FEANTSA, Caritas Europa, ENAR, Eurochild, Eurodiaconia, AGE Platform, as well as the Social Platform, SOLIDAR, the European Women’s Lobby, the European Disability Forum, EASPD, ICSW Europe, Workability Europe and ISFW Europe.

EPHA related articles

 EAPN’s analysis of the current economic and social crisis in the EU

 Eurostat statistics published: 23% of EU population, including 27% of children in poverty in 2010

 2011: increasing poverty in Europe concludes first annual review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe

 European Parliament condemns austerity policies and call for more social inclusion

 OECD report: Divided We Stand - The gap between rich and poor at its highest in over last 30 years

 EPHA Briefing for members on the European Social Fund

 First Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion: the commitments from Member States fall short on the EU target