EU Parliament Demands Urgent Action on Poverty Eradication
The European Parliament is pushing for a bolder approach to tackling poverty across the European Union, calling on the European Commission to recognize poverty as a violation of human dignity and to commit to its eradication by 2035. A recent report, passed with a significant majority, emphasizes the need for adequate budgetary resources and improved coordination between the EU and its member states to achieve this ambitious goal.
Focus on Child Poverty: A €20 Billion Call
A particularly strong focus of the Parliament’s report is the alarming rise in child poverty. Deputies are demanding increased support for EU countries in implementing the European Child Guarantee. This initiative aims to ensure all children in need have access to free healthcare, education, childcare, and nutritious food.
Specifically, the Parliament is calling for a dedicated budget of at least €20 billion for the European Child Guarantee. Member states are urged to allocate at least 5% of European Social Fund+ funding to projects specifically addressing child poverty, with a minimum of 10% earmarked for countries where child poverty rates exceed the EU average.
Employment, Fair Wages, and Public Services as Key Solutions
The report stresses that full employment and robust social protection should be central to economic and social policy. The Commission and EU countries are encouraged to prioritize policies that protect labor rights and ensure fair wages, including equal pay for equal function. Addressing working poverty is also a key concern, with calls for improved access to childcare and tailored career guidance.
Beyond employment, the Parliament highlights the importance of universal access to essential public services. Increased public investment in affordable housing, food, water, sanitation, energy, and transportation is seen as crucial to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and fostering social inclusion.
Homelessness and Political Participation
A dedicated action plan to finish homelessness across the EU by 2030 is also being sought, with specific measures targeted towards children and families, unemployed individuals, and women. Recognizing that those experiencing poverty often lack a voice in policy-making, the report calls for measures to promote the political participation of people living in poverty, ensuring their involvement in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies that affect them.
“The poverty eradication strategy must be ambitious,” stated Žuau Oliveira, the rapporteur. “It must address the structural causes of poverty, promote a fairer distribution of wealth, improve working conditions, ensure stable investment in public services, and guarantee access to decent housing for all. Active participation of people affected by poverty in policy-making, along with an adequate budget, is essential.”
According to recent data, 93.3 million people in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024, including 20 million children – a quarter of all children in the EU. The European Commission is currently preparing its first EU poverty eradication strategy, expected in 2026.
FAQ: EU Poverty Eradication Efforts
Q: What is the European Child Guarantee?
A: It’s an EU initiative to ensure vulnerable children have access to essential services like healthcare, education, and childcare.
Q: What is the target date for eradicating poverty in the EU?
A: The European Parliament is calling for poverty eradication by 2035.
Q: How much funding is being proposed for the European Child Guarantee?
A: At least €20 billion is being requested.
Q: What is the EU doing to address homelessness?
A: The Parliament wants an action plan to end homelessness by 2030, with a focus on vulnerable groups.
Did you know? One in four children in the EU are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
Pro Tip: Stay informed about EU policies and initiatives by visiting the European Commission’s social affairs website.
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