EAPN's annual policy conference will be held online on 14 July, 14-16:30, which will focus on how to ensure the poor don’t pay for Covid-19 – and ensuring that short-term responses feed into an effective long-term rights-based EU strategy to fight poverty.

The current COVID19 epidemic is decimating Europe, with a far-reaching social impact, particularly on the poor and most vulnerable who are hardest hit. This is already leading to a substantial increase in poverty and inequality, unequally spread across different regions and countries (see EAPN COVID-19 statement). Most Member States have developed immediate aid packages which in many cases directly benefit the poor and vulnerable. Most however are only temporary. Will these deliver concrete results for people experiencing poverty? Will these short-term measures feed into a progressive, rights-based EU strategy to fight poverty? What needs to be done to ensure this outcome?

EAPN and its members responded quickly to the outbreak of the virus with a Statement and letter to the European Council on key measures as well as a letter to Commissioner Schmit, signed by large number of MEPs and key stakeholders. See our dedicated online resource, including voices from the ground, here. Over the past 2 months we have carried out a detailed study including webinar exchanges with our members in 32 countries, tracking the impact of the crisis on people experiencing poverty and the efficacy of the measures being taken.

In the longer term, we want to see these measures underpinned by an EU integrated strategy to fight poverty, that invests in adequate incomes (decent wages, adequate minimum income and social protection) and access to essential services, as part of the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights. Adopting a social and sustainable Agenda 2030 strategy, that makes ending poverty a pre-requisite, will be key to ensuring real results for people experiencing poverty. (See EAPN’s position Paper on post 2020: Delivering Agenda 2030 for people and planet).

With this online conference we will now present our study’s main findings and policy recommendations for national and EU levels and discuss them with decision makers & stakeholders.

See the programme here:

There will be interpretation between English and Spanish.

Speakers

• Graciela Malgesini, Author of the EAPN Covid-19 impact study and Co-Chair of the EAPN EU Inclusion Strategies Group/EAPN ES
• Sonja Leemkuil, Activist with direct experience of poverty, EAPN EU Inclusion Strategies Group//EAPN NL
• Vera Hinterdorfer, EAPN Vice-President/Activist with direct experience of poverty/EAPN AT
• Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Job and Social Rights
• Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
• Jan Farzan, German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs/SPC
• Esther Lynch, Deputy General Secretary, ETUC
• Jana Hainsworth, General Secretary, Eurochild
• Cindy Franssen, MEP/EPP, Co-Chair of Intergroup on poverty
• Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Director for Social Affairs, DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion, European Commission
• Marija Babovic, Co-Chair of the EAPN EU Inclusion Strategies Group/EAPN RS

For further information on content, contact Sian Jones (Policy Coordinator) @, or on registrations, Rebecca Lee (Information & Events Officer), @

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This event is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020). The information contained does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. For further information please consult: