The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a new EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, inviting citizens, institutions and businesses to express their views via the online platform “Share your views“. The comments will be taken into account when developing future policy measures, BTA reports.
The strategy aims to support the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and contribute to achieving the EU's headline target - reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, including five million children. The strategy will address the root causes of poverty as well as solutions that address the entire life cycle of citizens through social investments and cross-sectoral policies.
Social and political context
Currently, on average, over 20% of the EU population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, with the share reaching 25% for children. Women, the unemployed, the low-skilled, people with disabilities, migrants, ethnic minorities and single parents are most affected. In 2024, the share of in-work poverty was 8.2%.
Progress has been made between 2019 and 2024, with 2.7 million fewer people at risk, but the 2030 target remains ambitious and requires serious efforts at national and European level.
What the strategy aims for
The strategy will be based on a life-cycle approach, viewing poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon that is often transmitted between generations. It will include measures to:
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Preventing and tackling poverty through social investments;
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Facilitating access to the labour market and social protection;
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Incorporating anti-poverty measures into other policies - health, education, housing policy, etc.;
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Better use of available data and expansion of monitoring;
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Expanding good practices and supporting Member States in implementing reforms.
Expected effects
The implementation of the strategy is expected to have a positive impact in the medium and long term, especially for the most vulnerable groups - children, young people and the working poor. The role of inclusive growth as a driver of economic and social development will be strengthened.
Monitoring and participation
To be effective, the strategy will be supported by more reliable monitoring, including through updated social and labour indicators. The Social Protection Committee will play a key role in following up on implementation.
The broad public consultation will be accompanied by targeted meetings with stakeholders, and the results will be published on the European Commission's website.