Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on The European year for combating poverty and social exclusion (2010)
Date: 2008-06-18
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU action, EU financing, marginalisation, poverty, public awareness campaign, social policy

C 257/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

9.10.2008

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on ‘The European year for combating poverty and social
exclusion (2010)’

(2008/C 257/02)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGION

— stresses that in order to be effective, this campaign to address the issue of poverty and social exclusion
should be seen as a long-term effort, and therefore emphasises the need for action taken during or
before 2010 to have a permanent impact;

— calls for structured measures to be taken to bring about a decisive change in the campaign against
poverty and all forms of social exclusion which both inhibit the freedom of individuals and harm
society itself; and considers that it would be useful to make involvement in the European Year open
not only to the Member States, but also to local and regional authorities or groupings of these as enti-
ties in their own right;

— draws attention to the need to focus in particular on the situation of children, because children who
grow up in a situation of poverty and exclusion are drawn into a ‘cycle’ that is passed from one
generation to the next, with serious long-term consequences, depriving them of the right to develop
their full potential and threatening their personal development, education and general well-being;

— urges the Community institutions to pay close attention to the complex and multidimensional forms
of poverty and social exclusion, so as to formulate coherent preventive measures and strategies
focusing on social empowerment processes.

9.10.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/7

Rapporteur: Linetta SERRI (IT/PES), Member of Armungia Municipal Council (CA)

Reference document

Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Year for
Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010)

COM(2007) 797

I. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

international organisations involved in the fight against poverty,
in a process of mutual learning;

General comments on the Commission Communication

Recommendations

is very interested in the initiative launched to declare the
1.
year 2010 the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social
Exclusion;

endorses the proposal

8.
to reaffirm the importance of
collective responsibility, involving not only decision-makers but
also public and private actors;

shares the concerns that motivated the decision to declare
2.
2010 the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social
Exclusion, since the conditions of poverty and exclusion in
which 78 million European citizens live have to be dealt with
above all by local and regional authorities;

3.
stresses that in order to be effective, this campaign to
address the issue of poverty and social exclusion should be seen
as a long-term effort, and therefore emphasises the need for
action taken during or before 2010 to have a permanent
impact;

4.
notes that local and regional authorities have a particular
role to play in recognising and promoting effective access to
social, economic and cultural services for people living in
poverty or social exclusion. Local, regional and national authori-
ties have basic responsibility for framing, funding and carrying
out policies designed to guarantee the integration of people who
are excluded;

5.
shares the view that when implementing social policy,
local, regional and national authorities have the basic responsi-
bility for framing, funding and carrying out policies designed to
guarantee integration of
the people who are most excluded
from the labour market. Service providers — private, public or
public-private — play an essential role in implementing these
policies at local level;

that

stresses

the Year

6.
for Combating Poverty must
strengthen the integration of people who are poor and socially
excluded, and of the organisations to which they belong. The
year must affirm the principle of an inclusive society by creating
a space in the public sphere where excluded people can be
reached, based on developing the crucial contribution made by
the organisations to which they belong;

7.
believes it is necessary to strengthen experience-sharing
between the Member States, local and regional authorities, and

9.
notes that the commitment to fight poverty and social
exclusion at every level of government, and the political
commitment to prevent these phenomena, must be affirmed
and continued;

10.
calls for structured measures to be taken to bring about a
decisive change in the campaign against poverty and all forms
of social exclusion which both inhibit the freedom of individuals
and harm society itself;

11.
would like to see greater determination when it comes to
implementing measures to ensure complementarity with other
relevant Community action to promote social inclusion, such as
the PROGRESS programme, the Structural Funds and the Euro-
pean Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and in
relation to action to combat discrimination and promote gender
equality and fundamental rights, as well as action in the areas of
education and training, culture and intercultural dialogue, youth,
childcare and elderly care, citizenship, immigration and asylum,
and research;

wishes all types of discrimination that encourage poverty

12.
and exclusion be tackled;

13.
considers that it would be useful to make involvement in
the European Year open not only to the Member States, but also
to local and regional authorities or groupings of these as entities
in their own right;

14.
sees a need to strengthen the open coordination method
in relation to social protection, social inclusion and the Euro-
pean employment strategy ensuring greater involvement for the
regional and local
this method
depends largely on the efforts of local and regional authorities
in drawing up regional action plans to combat poverty and
social exclusion and in promoting a broader approach that
embraces the three major dimensions of active inclusion;

level. The effectiveness of

C 257/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

9.10.2008

15.
observes that when it comes to improving access to
services, local and regional authorities deliver social services in
most Member States. These levels of government are therefore
in a better position to frame and apply new rules for managing
services in order to facilitate access to them;

draws attention to the need to focus in particular on the
16.
situation of children, because children who grow up in a situa-
tion of poverty and exclusion are drawn into a ‘cycle’ that is
passed from one generation to the next, with serious long-term
consequences, depriving them of the right to develop their full
potential and threatening their personal development, education
and general well-being. More attention must be paid to large
families and young families looking at potential risk factors of
social exclusion;

17.
notes that full participation of the younger generations is
ensured primarily by access to training services — the PISA-
OECD's latest survey identified a close link between low skills
and social exclusion. The commitment and involvement of EU
citizens is crucial
in
Europe;

to social cohesion and development

18.
urges the Community institutions to pay close attention
to the complex and multidimensional forms of poverty and
to formulate coherent preventive
social
so as
exclusion,
measures and strategies
focusing on social empowerment
processes;

calls for more account to be taken of the problems faced
19.
by local and regional authorities, especially those in border areas
near points of entry to the EU, in relation to asylum requests
and illegal immigrants.

II. Proposed amendments

Amendment 1

Article 2b)

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Ownership — Increasing public ownership of social inclu-
sion policies and actions, emphasising everyone's responsi-
bility in tackling poverty and marginalisation. The Euro-
pean Year shall foster awareness, participation and engage-
ment, and create new opportunities for ordinary citizens to
contribute.

Ownership — Increasing public ownership of social inclu-
sion policies and actions, emphasising everyone's responsi-
bility in tackling poverty and marginalisation. The European
Year shall is intended to foster awareness, participation and
engagement, and create new opportunities for ordinary citi-
zens residing in EU countries to contribute.

Reason

It is important to state explicitly and strongly that the Union is committed to taking measures that will
actively transform European citizens' attitudes towards poverty and social exclusion.

Amendment 2

Article 2c)

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Cohesion — Promoting a more cohesive society by raising
public awareness of the benefits for all of a society where
poverty is eradicated and no-one is condemned to live in
the margins. The European Year shall foster a society that
sustains and develops quality of life, social well-being and
equal opportunities for all regardless of their background,
ensuring sustainable development and solidarity between
and within generations and policy coherence with EU
action worldwide.

Cohesion — Promoting a more cohesive society by raising
public all citizens' awareness that an egalitarian society can
exist which upholds rights and opportunities, of the bene-
fits for all of a society where poverty is eradicated and no-
one is condemned to live in the margins. The European
Year shall foster a society that sustains and develops quality
life, social well-being and equal opportunities for all
of
regardless of their background, ensuring sustainable devel-
opment and solidarity between and within generations and
policy coherence with EU action worldwide.

9.10.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/9

Reason

It is essential that the Union's social policy commitments include all citizens, that the Union recognise full
and equal citizenship rights for everybody, enabling people to participate and ensuring equal opportunities
in application of Article 5(a) of the Lisbon Treaty: ‘In defining and implementing its policies and actions, the
Union shall take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the
guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education,
training and protection of human health.’

Amendment 3

Article 2d)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Commitment — Reiterating the strong political commit-
ment of the EU to the fight against poverty and social
exclusion and promoting this commitment at all levels of
governance. Building upon the achievements and possible
the Open Method of Coordination on
shortcomings of
Social Protection and Social Inclusion, the European Year
shall strengthen the political commitment to the prevention
of and fight against poverty and social exclusion and give
impetus to further development of the European Union's
action in this field.

Commitment — Reiterating the strong political commit-
ment of the EU and the Member States to the fight against
poverty and social exclusion and promoting strong action
by public authorities to combat povertythis commitment at
levels of governance. Building upon the achievements
all
and possible shortcomings of the Open Method of Coordi-
nation on Social Protection and Social Inclusion, the Euro-
pean Year shall strengthen the political commitment to the
prevention of and fight against poverty and social exclusion
and give impetus to further development of the Member
States' and the European Union's action in this field.

Reason

Whereas Article 2c) focuses on responsibilities, Article 2d) must draw attention to the role of public authori-
ties, emphasising that the fight against poverty should be waged through political engagement rather than
actions targeting individual behaviour.

Amendment 4

Article 6.1

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Each Member State shall appoint a ‘National Implementing
Body’ to organise its participation in the European Year
and ensure coordination at national
level. That National
Implementing Body shall be responsible for defining the
national programme and the priorities for the European
Year and for selecting the individual actions to be proposed
for Community funding. The national strategy and priori-
ties for the European Year shall be set out in accordance
with the objectives listed in Article 2.

Each Member State shall appoint a ‘National Implementing
Body’ to organise its participation in the European Year and
ensure coordination at national level. That National Imple-
menting Body shall be responsible for defining the national
programme and the priorities and programme for the Euro-
pean Year at national level and for selecting the individual
actions to be proposed for Community funding. This must
be done in close coordination with the regional and local
level. The national strategy and priorities and strategy for
the European Year shall be set out in accordance with the
objectives listed in Article 2.

Reason

It is important for national programmes to first define national priorities based on the extent of poverty in
the country concerned; strategic planning must be based solely on a thorough understanding of the
problem, since the fight against poverty is multisectoral and requires an approach based on targeted
measures.

C 257/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

9.10.2008

Amendment 5

Article 13

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

For the purpose of the European Year, the Commission
may cooperate with relevant international organisations, in
particular the Council of Europe, the International Labour
Organisation and the United Nations.

For the purpose of the European Year, the Commission
may cooperate with relevant international organisations, in
particular the Council of Europe, the International Labour
Organisation and the United Nations, the World Health
Organisation and the World Bank.

Reason

Poverty has serious long-term consequences, prevents people from achieving their full potential, and jeopar-
dises health, personal development and general well-being. The experience of the WHO can help to expand
knowledge and exchange of good practice. The experience of the World Bank is also important, since its
approach is increasingly based on empowerment.

Amendment 6

Annex

I. ACTIONS ON A COMMUNITY SCALE

1. Meetings and event

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Organisation of meetings and events at Community level,
intended to raise the awareness about issues related to the
European Year and about poverty and social exclusion and
to provide for a forum of exchange of ideas. They will
gather relevant stakeholders and will be planned together
with people experiencing poverty and civil society organisa-
tions representing them, to provide a good opportunity to
address policy gaps and every day problems.

Organisation of meetings and events at Community level,
intended to raise the awareness among EU citizens about
issues related to the European Year for combating and
about poverty and social exclusion and to promote the
provide for a forum of exchange of ideas. They will gather
relevant stakeholders and will be planned together with
people experiencing poverty and by civil society organisa-
tions representing them, to provide a good opportunity to
address policy gaps and every day problems. The aim is to
establish active participation of the social partners in devel-
oping social empowerment measures and practices.

Reason

The fight against poverty must involve the citizens of the EU so as to develop and increase their responsi-
bility. The objective of the Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion is to create conditions that limit
the proliferation of social inequality, and measures sand practices must therefore be based on social empow-
erment.

Amendment 7

Annex

2. Information and promotional campaigns involving

Third bullet

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

An information campaign at Community level with posi-
tioning at national level, based on both traditional and new
communication channels and new technologies;

An information campaign at Community level with posi-
tioning at national, regional and local level, based on both
traditional and new communication channels and new tech-
nologies, with the aim of widening the distribution of infor-
mation and stimulating public interest;

9.10.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/11

Reason

The local level is important because local and regional authorities have a particular role to play in recog-
nising and promoting effective access to social, economic and cultural services for people living in poverty
or social exclusion. Local, regional and national authorities have basic responsibility for framing, funding
and carrying out policies designed to guarantee the integration of people who are excluded.

Information campaigns can reach the maximum number of citizens if they are based on participation of
public bodies at every level and use a language appropriate to the specific target audience.

Amendment 8

Annex

2. Information and promotional campaigns involving

Fourth bullet

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

The production of communication and media tools avail-
the Community to stimulate public
able throughout
interest;

The production of communication and media tools avail-
the Community to stimulate public
able
interest;

throughout

Reason

Repeats what is said in the third bullet.

Amendment 9

Annex

2. Information and promotional campaigns involving

Fifth bullet

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Appropriate measures and initiatives for publicising the
results and raising the profile of Community programmes,
actions and initiatives contributing to the objectives of the
European Year;

Appropriate measures and initiatives for publicising the
results and raising the profile of Community programmes,
actions and initiatives raising the visibility of programmes,
and providing information on measures, Community initia-
tives and outcomes contributing to the objectives of the
European Year;

Reason

Self-explanatory.

Amendment 10

Annex

2. Information and promotional campaigns involving

Sixth bullet

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Appropriate initiatives by educational institutions to disse-
minate information on the European Year;

Appropriate initiatives by educational institutions to raise
awareness among the younger generation and disseminate
the principles of the fight against poverty information on
the European Year;

C 257/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

9.10.2008

Reason

The sharing of responsibilities is strengthened by measures to increase participation in all sectors of society,
especially the younger generation, in order to underpin application of the Lisbon Treaty, which in Article
149 aims at ‘encouraging the participation of young people in democratic life in Europe’.

3. Other actions

Amendment 11

Annex

First bullet

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Community-wide surveys and studies to assess and report
on the preparation, effectiveness,
impact and long-term
monitoring of
the European Year. To facilitate a new
consensus around political solutions, one such survey will
also include a series of questions to gauge public opinion
on policy to prevent and combat poverty and social exclu-
sion, including social protection systems, and on the poten-
tial role of the Union in the fight against poverty and
exclusion. This will be conducted in 2009 so that its results
can be presented at the Opening Conference of the Euro-
pean Year;

the

European Year. To facilitate

Community-wide surveys and studies to assess and report
impact and long-term
on the preparation, effectiveness,
monitoring of
a
newbroaden the basis for consensus around political solu-
tions, one such survey will also include a series of questions
to gauge public opinion on policy to prevent and combat
including social protection
poverty and social exclusion,
systems, and on the potential role ofwhich the Union
undertakes to play in the fight against poverty and exclu-
sion. This will be conducted in 2009 so that its results can
be presented at the Opening Conference of the European
Year;

Reason

It is important to state explicitly and strongly that the Union is committed to taking measures that will
actively transform European citizens' attitudes towards poverty and social exclusion.

3. Other actions

Amendment 12

Annex

Second bullet

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

Cooperation with the private sector, broadcasters and other
media as partners in spreading information about the Euro-
pean Year as well as in actions aiming for long-term
dialogue on social issues;

Cooperation with the private sector, broadcasters and other
media as partners in spreading information about the Euro-
pean Year as well as in actions aiming to develop for long-
term dialogue on social issues;

Reason

Self-explanatory.

9.10.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/13

Amendment 13

Annex

II. CO-FINANCING OF ACTIONS AT NATIONAL LEVEL

Point 7 f)

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

of

knowledge

Training opportunities for civil servants, social partners, the
media, NGO representatives and other actors to increase
their
exclusion
poverty
phenomena, of European and national social inclusion poli-
cies and of the different policy tools available, to increase
their capacity to deal with poverty-related issues, and to
encourage them to play an active role in the fight against
poverty and social exclusion;

social

and

Training opportunities for national, regional and local level
civil servants, social partners, the media, NGO representa-
tives and other actors to increase their knowledge of
poverty and social exclusion phenomena, of European and
national social inclusion policies and of the different policy
tools available,
to increase their capacity to deal with
poverty-related issues, and to encourage them to play an
active role in the fight against poverty and social exclusion;

Reason

Local, regional and national authorities have basic responsibility for framing, funding and carry out policies
designed to guarantee the integration of people who are excluded, and it is important that civil servants
should be prepared for these tasks.

Amendment 14

Annex

IV. PRIORITIES FOR THE EUROPEAN YEAR ACTIVITIES

Second paragraph

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

In line with the analysis carried out and the priorities iden-
tified in the Joint Social Protection and Social Inclusion
Report,
should focus around the
following themes:

the European Year

In line with the analysis carried out and the priorities iden-
tified in the Joint Social Protection and Social Inclusion
Report,
should focus around the
following themes:

the European Year

— child poverty and the intergenerational transmission of

— child poverty and the intergenerational transmission of

poverty;

— an inclusive labour market;

poverty;

— elderly people;

— disadvantages

in education and training,

including

— active, integrated inclusion activities;

digital literacy training;

— poverty and the gender dimension;

— an inclusive labour market;

— disadvantages

in education and training,

including

— access to basic services, including decent accommoda-

digital literacy training;

tion;

— overcoming discrimination and promoting the integra-
tion of immigrants and the social and labour market
inclusion of ethnic minorities;

— addressing the needs of disabled people and other

vulnerable groups.

— poverty and the gender dimension;

— access to basic services, including decent accommoda-

tion;

— overcoming discrimination and promoting the integra-
tion of immigrants and the social and labour market
inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities and refu-
gees;

— addressing the needs of disabled people and other

vulnerable groups.

Reason

Poverty is a condition that particularly affects the elderly, refugees and religious minorities. To ensure equal
participation in political and social life, it is important to promote inclusive activities for these groups.

C 257/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

9.10.2008

Amendment 15

Annex

5. CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES

5.3. Objectives, expected results and related indicators of the proposal in the context of the ABM

framework

Text proposed by the Commission

CoR amendment

The European Year should stimulate debate and create solu-
tions to ensure the meaningful participation in society of
people experiencing poverty and social exclusion,
the
strengthening of the organisations in which they partici-
pate, and the development of stronger frameworks to
ensure their involvement in activities designed to make a
decisive impact on the eradication of poverty. It will help
the Open Method of Coordination have more impact on
the ground.

The European Year should stimulate debate and create solu-
tions that allow inclusion and to ensure the meaningful
participation in society of people experiencing poverty and
social exclusion, the strengthening of the organisations in
which they participate, and should create conditions that
encourage effective empowerment measures and the devel-
opment of stronger frameworks to ensure their involve-
ment in activities designed to make a decisive impact on
the eradication of poverty. It will help the Open Method of
Coordination have more impact on the ground.

Reason

Self-explanatory.

Brussels, 18 June 2008.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Luc VAN DEN BRANDE