Fighting poverty

Homelessness cannot be just another ‘Fact of Life’ in the EU

Homelessness is increasing across the EU. It's time for the Commission and governments to turn the tide, write Nicolas Schmit, Ana Mendes Godinho and Yves Leterme.

Spain announces 5.5% hike in minimum wage as ‘tool’ against inequality

Spain's new government on Wednesday (22 January) announced a 5.5% rise in the minimum wage retroactive to 1 January, the third major economic initiative the left-wing coalition has announced since taking office this month.

GDP is not enough to understand inequality, says UNDP chief

At the heart of recent protest movements in Europe and elsewhere is a sense that economic growth has left many people worse off, even if, in most countries, the headline GDP figures suggest that countries are much wealthier.

French government institute welcomes idea of a CAP supporting farmers’ jobs

In a report presented in Paris on 23 October, the government institution France Stratégie proposed to support employment in the agricultural sector rather than the amount of cultivated land. But for this to become reality, a complete overhaul of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is needed. EURACTIV France reports.

Increasing solidarity between women – a tool against insecurity in Europe

Many women in Europe still live in precarious conditions. To deal with this, solidarity between women is an essential tool, according to participants of the conference "Elles font bouger l'Europe" (Women make Europe move). EURACTIV France reports.

To promote social cohesion, conflicts need to be part of the debate

Community and belonging - what do these terms mean in an increasingly diverse and identity-focused world? At the Young Europeans' Forum 2019 that took place in Berlin in June, young people discussed what makes a good society and how social cohesion can be promoted at an individual level. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Basic income: the meaning of unpaid work

The German crowdfunding project "Mein Grundeinkommen” (my basic income) has already funded 300 people who have benefitted from a monthly income of €1,000 for a year and 13 Departments in France are eager to introduce such a financial subsidy. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Europe has saved the banks, now we must save its citizens

Introducing an EU-guaranteed minimum income would send a clear message to Europeans that the Union really is there for them, writes Georges Dassis.

Reform programmes should compensate low-income workers, OECD says

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has urged governments to pay attention to the consequences of their policies and compensate vulnerable groups that could be hit by new taxes.

Magic bus for the homeless to start driving around Belgrade

A new kind of special-purpose bus will start touring the streets of Belgrade before the end of the year, providing help for the most vulnerable group of its residents - the homeless. EURACTIV Serbia reports.

The EU’s patchwork social pillar on work-life balance

The patchwork of policies on work-life balance across the EU reflect differing levels of commitment to the EU's Social Pillar.

Rising inequality calls for a new social contract

The gap between rich and poor in Europe has increased compared to thirty years ago, affecting young cohorts in particular. Yet the social protection systems currently in place across European countries were designed during the past century and are no longer fit for the present, argues Cyril Muller.

Use vouchers to combat grey economy, EU report urges government

EU countries should pilot voucher schemes to assess whether they can be used to combat the grey economy, according to a new report.

Social voucher solutions ‘create jobs and combat black economy’

Social voucher solutions are smart ways to stimulate local economies and create jobs, as well as increase spending power and combat the black economy, Nathalie Renaudin tells EURACTIV.

Tackling EU child poverty through Child Guarantee

Based on figures from 2016, nearly 26.4% of children across the EU are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, poverty or social exclusion. But the EU has one potential policy development to deal with this worrying trend, write Joanna Hofman and Katie Stewart.

A place for children in the EU’s budget

Last week, the Commission announced a budget that ‘’protects, empowers and defends’’. But who exactly are we protecting empowering and defending? Not Europe’s children nor their counterparts in the developing world. Children are not even mentioned in this proposal.

Market-making for Burundi’s farmers

One of the main causes of food insecurity for farmers in rural areas is limited access to agricultural inputs. Donors, NGOs and governments are using a variety of new tools to improve access to basic products.

Are vouchers an alternative to cash in humanitarian aid

The popular image of humanitarian aid in public consciousness is of trucks loaded with essential foods being handed out to refugees.

Fuel poverty and affordable housing: Connecting the dots

There seems to be rising momentum to connect the dots between energy efficiency, fuel poverty and the EU's broader 2030 objectives, writes Sorcha Edwards.

Commission ready to boost cash support in humanitarian aid

The European Commission is aiming to boost the proportion of humanitarian aid it hands out as cash. But most payments are actually made by banking cards very similar to regular ATM cards.

Cash and non-cash assistance in humanitarian aid and development

Some 125 million people worldwide are currently dependent on emergency aid as a consequence of war, instability, inequality and natural disasters.

‘Let’s do our work’ on social policy, Juncker tells member states

Europe’s credibility hinges on national leaders agreeing social legislation that applies across the bloc, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Friday (17 November) at a summit with leaders from EU countries in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Juncker is ‘sincerely in favour of social Europe’

Jean-Claude Juncker deserves credit for making social issues a priority for the European Commission, Socialist MEP Maria Joao Rodrigues told EURACTIV.com in an interview.