ANTI-POVERTY PLATFORM : COMMISSION INTRODUCES CONCEPT OF SOCIAL INNOVATION'.

The European Commission's Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion' initiative, published on 16 December 2010, does not offer miracle solutions to assist the 81 million Europeans threatened by poverty. On the contrary, it reaffirms old-fashioned principles, such as the efficient use of EU funds and the exchange of best practice between member states. In fact, the only real new idea is the introduction of the concept of social innovation' based on scientific evidence, which is not only a question of disseminating good practice by producing scientific evidence of its effectiveness, but also by supporting such measures via EU funds.

According to this principle, innovative small-scale projects will be developed, tested and scientifically evaluated and, if the results are positive, they wil be encouraged at a far wider level. "The changes are not inevitably related to legislative initiatives," declaredaEmployment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Commissioner Laszlo Andor in response to criticism. "The new' member states, in which deprivations have often been severe, were making progress before the crisis. The installation of infrastructure and companies can thus be considered, and it is here that the EU's financial instruments can offer significant support."

The Commission proposes to establish, between 2011-2012, a series of infrastructures and standards in order to encourage innovation as regards industrial relations policy, and in particular the creation of a "high-level steering committee" as well as a European research excellence' network. The existing financial instruments, including the Progress tool, could encourage social innovation and experimentation. In a more general way, the Commission's working paper suggests the formulation of specific proposals in favour of social innovation within its new financial framework, in particular via European Social Funds and possibly with new finance mechanisms.

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The communication, which aims to support the poverty...