SOCIAL POLICY : EAPN: PLATFORM AGAINST POVERTY MUST BE STRENGTHENED.

PositionEuropean Anti-Poverty Network

On 19 January, the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) published its recommendations for strengthening the European Commission's flagship initiative in the fight against poverty. Generally speaking, the organisation positively welcomes the Commission's proposals, which are in keeping with EAPN's priorities. "However, if this new framework is to be effective it must reinforce the European social model, which provides the cornerstone of European values, and provide more concrete actions to deliver social rights, particularly in relation to the crisis and governments' austerity cuts," commented the organisation, which insists on strengthening the open method of coordination and the involvement of the actors concerned.

The Commission's flagship initiative, A European platform against poverty and social exclusion', adopted on 16 December 2010, aims to support the Europe 2020' plan's poverty reduction target (reducing the number of people in poverty by 20 million by 2020). In order to do so, it draws on the concept of social innovation based on scientific evidence and calls for an effective use of Community funds.

EIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS

EAPN supports the redirection of funds as well as the concept of social innovation, while recalling that innovative solutions must not replace effective solutions that work. The organisation insists on the importance of placing those experiencing poverty and the NGOs supporting them at the heart of the platform, both at...

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