Despite the EU’s efforts to reduce the number of persons experiencing poverty by at least 20 million by the year 2020, recent figures have indicated that the opposite development has taken place. In the wake of the financial and economic crisis, unemployment levels have increased (particularly among young people), budget cuts have had on adverse effect on (quality) social service provision, and homelessness has risen. The number of persons falling through the cracks of the welfare system and facing poverty has risen across Europe. Against this background, the implementation of adequate Minimum Income (MI) schemes to support and empower vulnerable individuals across the lifecycle is of key importance.
In 2015, Eurodiaconia released a policy paper calling for the implementation of Adequate Minimum Income schemes across the EU and emphasising the need for a stronger coordinating role of the EU in setting minimum standards. This briefing provides more information on why Eurodiaconia deems such a step necessary. It summarises four key barriers which currently impede the effectiveness of MI schemes at a national level: lack of adequacy, insufficient coverage, lack of an integrated approach and non-take-up.