Fighting poverty
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.
Healthy food offers healthy returns to all
Experts say all companies can benefit from encouraging healthier food choices, but businesses are still hesitant to make the investments needed.
Making Europe digitally fit
Time is at a premium and many people simply don’t have enough of it to shop, cook and eat healthily. How can new technologies induce change in the eating habits of workers?
Much ado about fish fingers
As European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivered his State of the European Union address last month, there were several issues which sparked his passion. But one came as a surprise to the audience: fish fingers.
Food expert: There is a link between poverty and unhealthy diets
Working class people are being harmed as companies abandon free lunch programs, according to food and health policy expert Dr Martin Caraher.
Policymakers push for healthy eating choices at lunchtime
It can be easy to make the wrong food choices during your lunch break. But policymakers are trying to make lunchtime a more satisfying, healthy experience for employees.
‘Working’ toward healthy eating
People want healthy food. The question for policymakers now is, how do you make it most easy and cost-effective for them to get that food?
UN calls for global economic makeover to replace neoliberalism
The world must ditch austerity and economic neoliberalism and undertake a global "New Deal" to rebalance the global economy and achieve prosperity for all, the UN trade and development agency UNCTAD said in a report on Thursday (14 September).
Commission wants new EU labour authority to crack down on worker abuse
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wants to set up a new EU institution to monitor how labour law is applied in member states. The Commission will outline its plans for the supervisory authority by the end of 2018.
It’s the housing challenge, Mr Juncker
Despite President Juncker's cheerful speech, actual recovery in the EU cannot be celebrated as long as it is confronted by an alarming housing challenge.
Estonian minister: The digital economy needs more social Europe
There needs to be an EU-wide solution to precarious app economy jobs, said Estonian Labour and Health Minister Jevgeni Ossinovski in an interview with EURACTIV.com.