SJ\_Draft1\_220914 SJ\_Draft1\_220914

See EAPN Documents EAPN Tool Kit: EAPN Assessment of the NRPs 2013 and 2014, EAPN Assessment and Alternative proposals for CSRs 2013 and 2014. Letter to Commission on AGS, Response to the AGS 2014.

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- • the current targets for 2020 respond to the strategy's objectives of fostering growth • the current targets for 2020 respond to the strategy's objectives of fostering growth and jobs? [Targets: to have at least 75% of people aged 20-64 in employment; to invest 3% of GDP in research and development; to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%, increase the share of renewables to 20% and improve energy efficiency by 20%; to reduce school drop-out rates to below 10% and increase the share of young people with a third-level degree or diploma to at least 40%; to ensure at least 20 million fewer people are at risk of poverty or social exclusion ].

The question, disappointingly, focusses only on the objectives of growth and jobs, rather than the broader objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This seems to undermine the added value of Europe 2020. We recall the lessons learnt from the Lisbon Strategy, whenthe Growth and Jobs priority was reinforced, following the WimKokreview in 2005, but still failed to reduce poverty, with poverty remaining at 16% from 2000 to 2010, despite record increases in growth and jobs.

Targets can be useful instruments, particularly in terms of agenda-setting, and awareness- raising, but also for bringing EU funds. The 20% funding on social inclusion and poverty for ESF, which linked to delivery on the Europe 2020 targets, in the newFunding round as well as FP7 and PROGRESS funding streams are vital.. However, their usefulness depends on the development of an effective strategy for their delivery backed by well-targeted funding, as well as good reporting and monitoring mechanisms. The final judgement is whether they have impacted on policy.

EAPN's views on the current targets are somewhat mixed. In general, EAPNhighlights that although the social targets havenot beenachieved,this is not a reason to abandonthem . They provide a vital litmus test of the social priorities of the European Union, and should be placed even more at the core of Europe 2020 and the European Semester. However, they need to be backed by effective strategies and delivery mechanisms if there is to be a chance of progress. The loss of a high-profile Annual Progress Report launched as a central pillar of the Annual Growth Survey monitoring transparently the progress on the targets, crucially undermines the role of the targets in the Strategy.

## Inconsistencies and areas for improvement in the EU targets

- • poverty target is not designed on an equal basis with the other targets - ie it is the • poverty target is not designed on an equal basis with the other targets - ie it is the only target which is not a percentage figure. This tends to undermine the equality between the target and its translation into national targets. The poverty target is the only one where 3 indicators are used and aggregated - making it difficult to communicate and to use, or to be comparable with the other targets. Ideally the

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