Today, Eurodiaconia is pleased to launch its latest policy paper, Promoting Access to Essential Services: Good Practices and Recommendations for Policymakers. The policy paper examines the place of essential services within the EU policy framework, identifies existing challenges, and draws on Eurodiaconia’s members’ innovative practices, to highlight actionable recommendations for policymakers.
Essential Services as Foundations of Social Inclusion
In today’s Europe, essential services—such as water, energy, transport, digital communications, and financial services—are not mere conveniences. They play a critical role in establishing a dignified standard of living for everyone in Europe, promoting social inclusion, access to the labour market, and supporting the EU’s 2030 goal of reducing poverty by 15 million people.
Identifying Barriers to Access
However, barriers persist, preventing many, especially those most at risk of poverty or social exclusion from accessing these vital services. Key barriers include affordability, especially for energy, digital communications, and transport; availability, where marginalized communities and certain regions lack sufficient infrastructure for water, sanitation, transport, and broadband; and necessary skills, as limited knowledge impedes access to financial services and digital communications.
Recommendations and Good Practices
Drawing on the experiences of Eurodiaconia’s members, this policy paper shares innovative practices and provides concrete recommendations for policymakers to improve access to essential services. It emphasizes collaboration between civil society and policymakers to bridge service gaps and address affordability, availability, and accessibility challenges.
A Call to Action
Eurodiaconia’s policy paper is a call to action for all stakeholders to build a Europe where every person has access to essential services of good quality, promoting dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for everyone.