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In line with the aim of linking its members to serve for solidarity and justice, Eurodiaconia intends to bridge the gap between the concrete reality of its members' experience in the area of poverty and social exclusion and EU policies.
To do so, Eurodiaconia
- monitors EU policies and strategies in the area of poverty and social exclusion
- takes part in the consultation and participation mechanisms at EU level
- advocates on EU policies, drawing on its members' experience and expertise
- equips its members to take part in the process at national level
- networks with Institutions, NGOs, to share ideas and good practices
Eurodiaconia is currently concentrating its work on the follow-up of the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy's objective of inclusive growth, and the process of the European Platform against poverty. It also works on specific issues such as the impact of the financial and economic crisis, financial inclusion and over-indebtedness, homelessness, child and family poverty, and other issues of interest to its members.
Downloads:
To know more about Eurodiaconia's work on Social Exclusion and Poverty, please contact Clotilde at
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A step further towards a "Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived" |
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On Monday 20 May, The Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament adopted the Emer Costello’s report on the "Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived" (FEAD) by 36 votes to 4, with 3 abstentions. This report proposes that the budget for this new programme over the 2014-2020 period will be 3.5 billion euros (instead of the 2.5 billion euros proposed by the European Commission ).
The "Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived" will replace the former EU food aid programme (Food Distribution programme for the Most Deprived Persons of the Community - MDP), which has been running since 1987, relying on Common Agricultural Policy funds. This was challenged by Germany who argued that this was an illegal use of CAP funds. The European Court of Justice supported Germany's position.
The report, supporting the European Commission proposal for a new fund, will now be voted in plenary. The Parliament's mandate for negotiations with the Council will be decided by the plenary, since MEPs in committee did not give the necessary votes to start informal negotiations with the Council of Ministers.
Eurodiaconia together with Caritas Europa, Red Cross EU office, EAPN and FEANTSA is following this process closely and is working for the program to survive the upcoming Council’s negotiations. The point of contention at the moment is the participation of the program i.e. whether or not it should be mandatory for a Member State to participate in the program and, if not, whether a member state that do not take part in the programme could be able to reallocate money to other projects financed under the cohesion funds.
For more information:
European Parliament press release on the adoption of the FEAD report
European Commission proposal's on the FEAD |
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Financial inclusion: new directive on access to payment accounts |
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On 8 May 2013, the European Commission issued a proposal for a directive on the comparability of fees related payment accounts, payment account switching and access to payment accounts with basic features. The aim of this directive is to make bank accounts cheaper, more transparent and accessible to all. The proposal follows (a non binding) recommendation issued in July 2011 which Member States failed to implement.
Eurodiaconia welcomes the Commissions proposal. In our response to the Commissions consultation on this topic it is stated that: According to our members, the common trend is that difficulties persist in accessing a bank account for some groups of most vulnerable consumers, and that not having access to a bank account is of increasing difficulty. Eurodiaconia therefore believes there is room for the European Commission to go further in its incentive and encouragement to Members States to impose binding measures on banks and financial institution regarding access and transparency of bank account fees for the most vulnerable people”.
The current proposal from the Commission would ensure that all consumers, regardless of their financial situation have access to basic payment services. Member States would have to identify at least one bank that would offer this service to anyone who requires it.
The European Parliament and Council of Ministers must now approve the Commission’s proposal before it becomes law.
For more information:
Frequently asked question on the directive
Impact assessment summary
Text of the directive
More information on the process and consultation |
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EAPN and Eurochild publish explainer on children’s well-being |
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15 April 2013
EAPN and Eurochild have recently completed an explainer on children’s well-being with the aim to:
• Raise public awareness about what child poverty means in a European context, its causes, and how it impacts on the lives of children and their families.
• Highlight effective solutions that can help to fight child poverty and promote the well-being of all children and families, particularly in times of austerity and public spending cuts.
They hope it will help to mobilize widespread public and political support for intensified action to reduce child poverty and to promote children’s well-being, at a timely moment to support the implementation of the European Commission’s Recommendation against child poverty (EC Recommendation (20 Feb 2013): Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage.)
Open the publication here in English - French |
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EU Ministers agree six principles to inform EU policy at Roundtable meeting on homelessness |
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25 March 2013
On 1st March Irish Minister O’Sullivan co-chaired a meeting of EU ministers with responsibility for homelessness policy with Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor. The purpose of the roundtable discussion was to bring added focus to the EU’s involvement in the area of homelessness, to discuss issues of common interest and possible future cooperation so as to signal the strong support among Member States towards addressing and tackling the issue of homelessness. Formal conclusions are being finalized by the presidency and will be submitted to the EPSCO. In the meantime you can read here Commissioner Andor’s speech from the event and a discussion paper here.
The meeting agreed six principles that will inform homelessness policy across Europe. These principles are:
Principle 1 (Develop and Share Knowledge and Best Practice)Recognition of need to develop and share knowledge about homelessness so as to greatly improve the quality of homelessness responses at a national, regional, and local level.
Principle 2 (Core Elements for Response)
Acknowledge that housing-led approaches to homelessness which prioritise access to affordable, long-term stable housing solutions are one of the most effective responses to homelessness. Also acknowledge that prevention is crucial.
Principle 3 (Funding)
An adequate level of funding to confront homelessness and enable continuous, high-quality provision of services, involving private investors, partnerships and collaborative approaches, if possible, should be provided.
Better utilisation of EU financing instruments to combat homelessness should be encouraged.
Principle 4 (Common Reference Framework)
A comprehensive reference framework for homelessness can improve the capacity for data collection, comparison and analysis
Principle 5 (Research, Innovation and Data Collection)
A better understanding of the homelessness phenomenon would result in improved, evidence-based policies and enhanced responses to homelessness. Research and ongoing development of knowledge, and innovative approaches to the problem are required.
Principle 6 (Implementation and Monitoring)
The development and implementation of national homelessness plans should be monitored and advice and expertise should be made available where required. |
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Eurodiaconia and partners call on governments to save Fund for the most deprived |
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6 February 2013
Eurodiaconia, together with Caritas Europa, EAPN, Eurochild, FEANTSA, FEBA (European Federation of Food Banks), and the Red Cross EU Office, sent a letter to President Von Rompuy, Heads of State, Prime Ministers and President Barroso in advance of their Council meeting on the 7 and 8 February, calling on them to support the Fund.
The new Fund for the most deprived, which builds on the current Food programme, has to be agreed as part of the EU’s 7-year budget, the Multi Annual Financial Framework. The Council has proposed it to be part of the Cohesion Package of EU programmes (which also includes the European Social Fund) which the organisations see as positive but the Council has then proposed that the budget for the Fund be reduced to 2.1 Billion Euros and be taken from the budget for the European Social Fund.
Eurodiaconia and partners are calling for the protection of the proposed “broad scope” of the new programme, allowing Member States to use the Fund to respond to different types of deprivation, such as food, homelessness and child poverty. The letter urges the Council to ensure a budget for the new programme that is separate from the ESF, and which does not draw from its budget. Also, the highest possible amount for the budget for the new programme should be secured.
Please find the letter here and an update on the new Fund here. |
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Sunday, May 26, 2013
