COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Principles for effective anti-poverty policies Supporting national, regional and local authorities in their fight against poverty Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the European Union's Anti-Poverty Strategy: addressing and preventing poverty from childhood to old age
Date: 2026-05-06
Institutions: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Subjects: EU strategy, European Social Fund, European social policy, cost of living, energy poverty, integration into employment, marginalisation, poverty, social assistance, social integration

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 6.5.2026  SWD(2026) 771 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Principles for effective anti-poverty policies       Supporting national, regional and local authorities in their fight against poverty Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the European Union's Anti-Poverty Strategy: addressing and preventing poverty from childhood to old age {COM(2026) 538 final} - {SWD(2026) 770 final}  
 
 
Fighting poverty and social exclusion requires coherent, sustained action across policy areas and 
levels of government. Poverty and social exclusion are multidimensional: they may be driven by a 
combination  of  low  income,  weak  labour  market  attachment,  inadequate  access  to  quality  services, 
territorial disparities, and other barriers such as discrimination, stigma or health conditions. Addressing 
these root causes requires moving from isolated interventions to coherent systems that prevent poverty, 
support people in exiting it, and reduce the risk of falling back in. Moreover, while Member States have 
put in  place  a  wide range of  policies  and  measures  to  address  poverty,  a recurrent challenge lies in 
ensuring  effective  coordination  across  the  policy  areas.  Addressing  poverty  also  requires  adequate 
resources and increased administrative capacity, particularly sufficient staffing for the public services 
involved.  

To support this coordinated approach, this document puts together principles to guide effective 
anti-poverty  strategies  at  national,  regional  and  local  level.  It  provides  guidance  to  translate  the 
objectives of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy into concrete measures at national level. The principles are 
aspirational  and  reflect  three  interconnected  approaches:  strong  enabling  conditions  (governance, 
coordination and monitoring); the active inclusion model (adequate income support, inclusive labour 
markets and access to quality services); and a person-centred, life-course perspective that recognises 
individuals and households may face multiple and intersecting disadvantages. The Principles build on 
the analysis gathered in the analytical Staff Working Document accompanying the Strategy, as well as 
the consultation activities conducted while preparing the Strategy. 

The  principles  are  intended  to  support  national,  regional  and  local  authorities,  together  with 
social partners, civil society organisations and people with lived experience of poverty. They can 
be used as a structured self-assessment and planning tool at all stages of the policy cycle: from the 
preparation or update of anti-poverty strategies to the design of reforms and investments, and the review 
of implementation. The Commission services will support their use through policy dialogue and mutual 
learning between Member States. Without prejudice to further integrated guidance to the Member States 
on the National and Regional Partnership Plans, the principles may also serve as a reference for effective 
anti-poverty policies when EU funding is used. 

1 

 
 
Dimension 1 – Enabling conditions and governance 

This dimension looks at whether governance arrangements enable effective, coordinated and evidence-based action to prevent and reduce 
poverty and social exclusion. It helps authorities in identifying strengths and gaps in how they plan, deliver and improve anti-poverty policies.  

1.1 Policy and strategic 
framework 

There is a comprehensive long-term national, regional or local anti-poverty strategy or framework in place, 
covering at least the following aspects: 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

It is based on a comprehensive and regularly updated analysis of the social situation, identifying key 
needs and target groups, challenges and structural drivers of poverty and social exclusion. 

It sets out clear objectives, defined responsibilities and measurable targets, with timelines consistent 
with the EU 2030 target and the 2050 ambition. Strategic objectives are translated into operational 
plans that set out actions, milestones and accountability. 

It is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect socio-economic developments and emerging risks. 

It is comprehensive and fosters integrated approaches across relevant policy fields (such as 
employment and social, education, energy, housing, health, transport, economic and taxation policies, 
agriculture, etc.)  

It is informed by strategic foresight, taking into account long-term trends and structural 
transformations, including demographic change, digitalisation and climate transition, in order to 
anticipate emerging poverty risks and adapt policy responses accordingly. 

Governance arrangements allow policies to be implemented across sectors and levels of government, by: 

-  Establishing or entrusting to an existing entity a formal coordination mechanism (Anti-Poverty 

Coordinator) with a clear mandate to ensure coherence across policy areas and levels of government. 

-  Organising structured cooperation between national, regional and local authorities in designing and 

implementing anti-poverty measures, particularly where service delivery is decentralised. 

-  Ensuring sufficient capacity (staff, skills, systems and digital tools) to implement, coordinate, monitor 

and evaluate policies effectively. 

- 

Involving social partners and other key stakeholders, including civil society and people experiencing 
poverty, early and regularly in the diagnosis of challenges, and in the design, implementation and 

1.2 Coordination, capacity and 
participation 

2 

 
 
1.3 Monitoring, reporting and 
evaluation 

monitoring of the strategy or framework, with clear feedback on how their input is used. Ensure the 
necessary adequate support to ensure these organisations or persons can contribute effectively.  

Monitoring and evaluation allow to track results and adjust policies, including by: 

-  Using a monitoring framework that tracks poverty trends, key drivers and policy outcomes over time, 
using data that are timely and disaggregated by age groups and other relevant dimensions, where 
possible. 

- 

Identifying groups and territories at higher risk and using this evidence to inform adjustments to 
policy design and resource allocation. 

-  Conducting regular evaluation of anti-poverty measures to assess their effectiveness and efficiency, 

and using findings to improve policy design and delivery. 

-  Carrying out ex-ante assessments of major reforms and investments with potential distributional 

effects, to identify and mitigate adverse social effects on vulnerable groups. 

1.4  Funding 

Financial resources are aligned with policy objectives by: 

-  Allocating dedicated public funding for anti-poverty measures. This funding is clearly allocated to 
specific needs and proportional to the scale of the challenge within the available fiscal means. The 
allocation of funding is reviewed at reasonably frequent intervals. 

-  Using European funds, including funding linked to the implementation of the National and Regional 
Partnership Plans, to support and complement the efforts of national, regional and local authorities in 
fighting poverty and social exclusion. 

-  Facilitating and overseeing complementary contributions from private actors and philanthropy to anti-
poverty initiatives, including through transparent oversight of donation platforms, incentives for 
donations, impact investment mechanisms or partnerships with businesses and foundations.  

-  Preparedness and response mechanisms are in place to address sudden socio-economic shocks (e.g. 

cost-of-living increases, energy price spikes), ensuring timely support to households at risk of poverty, 
through temporary and targeted measures. 

3 

 
 
 
Dimension 2 – Access to social rights and respect for fundamental rights 

This dimension examines whether people experiencing or at risk of poverty can effectively access their social rights in practice, and whether 
policies, laws and administrative practices respect fundamental rights, protect dignity, prevent discrimination and combat stigma. National, 
regional and local authorities, where relevant, are invited to assess not only formal entitlements, but also real-life access, treatment and 
outcomes for people concerned. 

2.1 Effective access to 
social rights and services 
and addressing non-take 
upi 

People can claim rights in practice thanks to: 

-  Clear, accessible information on eligibility and procedures in accessible formats and easy to understand 

relevant languages so that people can easily find, understand and take up their social rights. 

-  Simplified administrative procedures (shorter forms, fewer documents, proportionate checks) and setting 

standards for timely decisions. 

-  Reduced administrative barriers and efforts to tackle non-take-up through outreach, guidance and practical 

support. 

-  Reviewed access arrangements from a user perspective (through customer journeys), including feedback 

from people experiencing poverty. 

-  Digital channels, which are complemented by non-digital channels to avoid lack of or difficult access by 

those individuals who do not have digital devices or are not comfortable in their usage, or situations where 
digital access is not possible due to technical issues. 

-  Comprehensively trained public social service providers and caseworkers, who understand well the rights 

of benefit recipients and/or service users. 

-  Professionals with lived experience of poverty, including as peer workers or community mediators, to 

strengthen outreach, trust and effective access to rights. 

2.2 Dignity, safeguards 
and redress 

 Dignity and procedural fairness are protected by: 

-  Ensuring social services and benefit users are treated with dignity and clearly informed of their rights and 

obligations. 

-  Providing complaint and appeal mechanisms that are accessible, impartial and effective, with timely 

outcomes. 

4 

 
 
2.3 Addressing and 
preventing socio-
economic discrimination 
and stigma  

-  Social services are delivered by trained staff using respectful and non-discriminatory practices. 

-  Making sure that sanctions are effective, transparent, proportionate and gradual and preventing intrusive or 
punitive administrative practices (e.g. proportionality rules for controls, special protections for children 
and vulnerable adults). 

Socio-economic discrimination is explicitly tackled: 

-  Law(s) prohibit socio-economic discrimination and prevent discriminatory practices, while equality bodies 

are empowered to support the implementation of the related legal provisions.  

-  Policies and enforcement practices ensure that poverty and homelessness are addressed through supportive 

and inclusive approaches, avoiding disproportionate or punitive measures.  

-  Public communication campaigns actively prevent and combat stigma and stereotypes related to 

experiencing poverty. 

-  School civil education programmes address stigma related to experiencing poverty. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
Dimension 3 - Adequate and inclusive income protection 

This dimension examines whether income protection systems prevent and reduce poverty across the life course by ensuring that everyone has 
access to adequate, reliable and inclusive income support, both in and out of work, and during key life risks. National, regional and local 
authorities, where relevant, are invited to assess whether income protection systems provide effective income security, address coverage gaps, 
and support living in dignity. ii 

3.1 Comprehensive coverage of 
social risks 

- 

Income replacement is available and accessible when key life risks occur, including unemployment, 
sickness, maternity/paternity, and in old age. 

-  Social protection coverage is available for all workers, regardless of type of employment, and the 

self-employed. Entitlements are preserved, accumulated and/or transferable when people change job, 
sector or status. When contributory entitlements are not available or are exhausted, a minimum 
income scheme provides a reliable safety net that prevents destitution and supports social inclusion. 

-  Targeted income support (benefits) helps address specific circumstances and costs that increase 

poverty risks including disability, care needs or caretaking, housing and energy costs, taking account 
of territorial differences where relevant. 

-  Family-related income support, including child and family benefits, contributes to income security 

and supports households in meeting the additional costs associated with raising children. 

-  The benefit system is robust and flexible to remain effective during major economic, health, climate 

or price shocks, including through crisis protocols and the ability to scale up support rapidly. 

-  Authorities provide accessible guidance and advisory services to support short- and long-term 
financial planning, including information on pension entitlements, social contributions, health 
insurance coverage and the impact of employment transitions on future income security. 

3.2 Adequacy of income 
support  

-  Contributory schemes provide an adequate level of protection to their members during periods of 

income loss, maintaining a decent standard of living and providing appropriate income replacement 
in relation to prior earnings.  

-  Minimum income schemes provide support at a level that ensures sufficient resources to have a life 
in dignity (such as the national poverty threshold or the value of necessary goods and services). 

6 

 
 
-  Authorities use transparent and robust methods to assess the adequacy of income support using 

recognised benchmarks and regular reviews. 

- 

Income protection levels are indexed and adjusted regularly to maintain purchasing power and 
remain aligned with living costs and income developments. 

-  All workers and the self-employed have equal opportunities to contribute to earnings-based pension 
schemes. Specific corrective mechanisms (such as care credits) compensate for short or fragmented 
contributory careers e.g. due to care responsibilities, or reduced contributions e.g. due to part-time 
work. Low-income pensioners have access to adequate universal or contributory minimum benefits. 

Dimension 4- Integration in the labour market of the working age population 

Low labour market participation or lack of opportunities for decent, well-paid employment are important root causes of poverty. It is central to 
support all those who can work to enter the labour market, in line with their potential, and that work allows to exit poverty.iii  

4.1 Quality jobs  

-  Labour law helps protect workers and prevent precarious employment and labour inspectorates are 

equipped with appropriate resources and instruments to enforce legislation. Measures are in place to 
curtail disguised or segregated employment (e.g. isolated workplaces)iv or undeclared and 
underdeclared work and to encourage formalisation. 

-  The setting and updating of statutory minimum wages, where they exist, is guided by criteria that 

contribute to their adequacy and are regularly reviewed. 

-  Work–life balance measures, such as family and care leaves and flexible working arrangements 

support sustained labour-market participation and help reconcile family and work responsibilities 
without undermining income from employment or job security. 

-  Social dialogue and collective bargaining mechanisms effectively facilitate discussions and policies 

to prevent in-work poverty.  

4.2 Active support to 
employment for disadvantaged 
groups 

-  Persons facing significant barriers to employment are identified through evidence and labour-market 
analysis, taking into account factors such as age, care responsibilities, low qualifications, long-term 
unemployment, disability, racial or ethnic origin, migration background, health constraints or 
geographical location. 

7 

 
 
 
 
-  Public employment services and social services, equipped with the necessary resources and 

capacities, proactively reach out to people belonging to disadvantaged groups and continuously 
assess the demand for support. 

- 

Individualised and timely support for labour market inclusion, including personalised employment 
services, guidance, training and access to relevant enabling services are available.v 

-  Public employment services, in coordination with education and social services, and where relevant, 
in cooperation with private employment services, provide early identification, personalised action 
plans and post-placement follow-up for young people to prevent long-term disengagement from 
education, training or employment.  

-  Public employment services cooperate with businesses in order to provide post-placement support. 

-  Active support to employment provides reasonable accommodation and accessibility for persons 

with disabilities to ensure their participation.vi 

-  The social economy and in particular work-integration initiatives are supported as a pathway to 

labour-market inclusion. This can include partnerships with local and regional authorities as well as 
enhanced awareness of and cooperation with employers.vii 

4.3 Financial incentives to work 
and in-work benefits 

-  The tax and benefit system is designed in a way that does not overburden workers at risk of poverty 
and social exclusion and ensures that, with increased work intensity, incomes progressively increase 
(e.g. through tapered withdrawal rates). 

-  Disability allowances continue to cover for the additional costs of living with a disability, or 

compensatory costs arising from working, such as assistive technologies, transport of personal 
assistance.  

- 

Income protection, particularly unemployment insurance and minimum income schemes, are 
designed to gradually phase out as more income is derived from employment. 

8 

 
 
 
 
4.4 Inclusive entrepreneurship 
and self-employment 

-  Targeted measures support people at risk of poverty to access entrepreneurship or self-employment, 
including through tailored guidance, simplified procedures and targeted start-up support. This can 
include “one-stop” support combining coaching, administrative help and incubator-type schemes for 
disadvantaged groups. 

- 

Inclusive entrepreneurship and social economy initiatives are supported, recognising their role in 
creating sustainable economic activity while fostering social inclusion. 

-  Access to affordable and responsible micro-finance is ensured for vulnerable groups, accompanied 

by appropriate business planning support, financial guidance and safeguards against over-
indebtedness. 

Dimension 5: Access to affordable and quality services 

This dimension examines whether people experiencing or at risk of poverty have effective access to affordable and quality services that are 
essential for social and civic inclusion, labour-market participation and living in dignity. National, regional and local authorities, where 
relevant, are invited to assess whether services are sufficiently funded, accessible in practice, responsive to users’ needs, cost-effective and well-
coordinated across policy areas. 

Services are delivered in accordance with clear quality standards, monitored through appropriate governance and accountability mechanisms, 
and regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness, safety and user satisfaction. Their delivery is supported through structured participation 
mechanisms involving people with lived experience of poverty. 

5.1 Services for children and 
young peopleviii  

-  Children in need have access to free early childhood education and care, free education (including 
school-based activities and at least one healthy meal each school day), free healthcare, healthy 
nutrition and adequate housing.ix  

-  Psychological support is provided free of charge and in a timely manner to children in need, 

including in particular children who experienced violence, such as bullying, including cyberbullying. 

-  Access to safe and inclusive sport and culture for vulnerable children and young people is promoted.  

-  Child and youth services and youth work promote inclusion, participation and equal opportunities. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
-  Coordination of multidisciplinary mechanisms ensure continuity between support provided during 
childhood and measures facilitating the transition to higher education, training and employment in 
early adulthood, including clear referral pathways and information-sharing between services to 
ensure a supported transition. 

-  Tailored longer-term support is provided to children and young people transitioning out of alternative 

care. 

-  There are clear referral pathways to integrated child protection and family support. 

-  Targeted programmes are in place to improve the level and quality of learning opportunities for 
pupils and students from low-income households (additional funding to schools, professional 
development of teachers, mentoring, scholarships and financial aid, access to facilities and materials, 
desegregation measures, including for Romax, etc.) 

-  Long-term comprehensive efforts are in place to address underachievement in basic skills and early 

leaving from education and training, in particular targeting pupils of general education and 
vocational education and training (VET) from low-income households. 

-  Programmes are in place to increase the number of students from low-income households in tertiary 

education (Higher Education and Higher VET). 

-  Adult learning, including second-chance education pathways, but also upskilling and reskilling 

opportunities are accessible and affordable, with flexible formats (part-time, modular, blended) and 
outreach through trusted local services. 

-  Acquisition of basic skills and key competences, including literacy, numeracy, digital skills, science 
and citizenship, is prioritised in a lifelong perspective. A specific focus is placed on targeted support 
for adults with low qualifications and lower level of basic skills acquisition. Specific support is 
targeted at removing barriers to participation (stigma, transport costs, childcare availability). 
Programmes emphasise practical learning tied to employability, participation in society and everyday 
life applications. 

-  Access to sport and culture for the most vulnerable is promoted.  

5.2  Education and training, 

culture and sport 

10 

 
 
5.3 Healthcare  

-  Healthcare services are available and accessible to the most vulnerable and responsive to their needs. 

-  Access to psychological support to address mental health and related stigma is facilitated for the 

most vulnerable. 

-  Efforts are in place to improve the distribution of health benefits and reduce out-of-pocket costs for 

low-income households, especially for primary and preventive care.  

-  Preventive healthcare and health promotion measures are accessible and facilitated for low-income 
and vulnerable groups, including those living in marginalised or remote localities, with the aim of 
reducing health inequalities and preventing poverty linked to poor health. These include quality and 
accessible mobile services, telemedicine, and one-stop shops combining health and social services. 

-  Air and water quality regulations are effectively implemented and enforced, with a focus on areas 

with a high share of low-income households. 

5.4 Long-term carexi 

-  People with long-term care (LTC) needs have access to care services that are community- and home-

based, comprehensive, affordable, of high quality, and provided in timely manner. 

-  Long-term care provisions are effective in preventing poverty risks linked to care needs, enabling 
people with LTC needs to maintain a decent standard of living as well as ensuring their dignity. 

-  Measures are in place to identify informal carers and provide access to support services (including 
counselling, guidance, respite care) as well as adequate financial support and income protection, 
including pension credits. 

-  Measures are in place to support quality jobs in the care sector, including adequate pay, fair working 
conditions, access to upskilling and reskilling, career pathways, in particular by fostering collective 
bargaining and social dialogue in the sector is supported. 

-  The availability of public and social housing is assessed and increased to meet the demand by people 
in vulnerable situations while avoiding segregation (namely the waiting lists and waiting time for 
social housing for low-income people are reduced).  

-  Housing assistance services are in place to offer counselling and advisory support to help vulnerable 
persons find accommodation in the private rental market or deal with the application process for 
public and social housing. 

5.5 Housing 

11 

 
 
 
 
-  There are housing allowances that reduce rent costs for low-income households and specific 

vulnerable groups.  

-  Strategic frameworks are in place to combat and prevent homelessness, based on a person-centred, 

housing-led and integrated policy approachxii. 

-  Groups suffering from or at risk of housing exclusion have been identified and when designing 

policy measures, their specific disadvantages have been taken into account. 

-  Systematic mapping of segregated Roma settlements with the consent of the communities and 
assessment to identify levels of poverty risk, severe material deprivation, and gaps in access to 
essential services, while ensuring their inclusion in urban planning processes.  

-  A one-stop-shop approach to the provision of both low-barrier and mainstream social, health and 

employment services for homeless people and people experiencing housing exclusion has been put in 
place. 

-  There are prevention mechanisms to identify rent arrears early, together with mediation, 

intermediation and emergency support to prevent forced evictions. 

-  Measures are in place to ensure that social inclusion services (such as counselling, coaching, 

mentoring and outreach services) are available, accessible, affordable, person-centred, place-based, 
comprehensive, continuous and outcome-oriented, including through partnerships with social 
economy organisations. This can include one-stop social service entry points. 

-  Access to essential services (such as energy, water and sanitation, transport, digital communications 
and financial services) is ensured in practice for persons experiencing or at risk of poverty. In 
particular, continuity of access is protected and affordability is addressed through appropriate 
structural measures and support mechanisms, keeping costs proportionate to household income.  

-  Financial literacy is supported, empowering individuals to effectively manage personal finances and 

understand financial products. 

-  Early-warning, monitoring and support mechanisms are in place to prevent and address over-

indebtedness, including access to debt advice and counselling. 

5.6 Social inclusion services 
and essential services  

12 

 
 
- 

Improve access to healthy food for vulnerable and marginalised groups, with measures such as food 
vouchers, and, where needed, emergency food assistance such as food banks. 

-  Programmes are in place to ensure that the most vulnerable have effective access to affordable basic 

hygiene products, including menstrual products. 

5.7 Addressing territorial 
inequalities in the provision of 
services 

-  There is territorial service mapping, which performs a gap analysis and ensures that territorial 

disparities in service provision are monitored and tackled in a coherent and coordinated manner, 
including demographic changes where relevant. 

-  Particular attention is given to vulnerable areas, including disadvantaged neighbourhoods, rural, 
remote and border areas, and less developed and outermost regions. In practice, this can include 
minimum service standards, supporting innovative service delivery models, mobile and outreach 
services, safe and reliable transport solutions to enhance access to services, and targeted investment 
planning to address persistent service gaps. 

-  Measures are in place to ensure sufficient availability of qualified staff delivering social, 

employment, health, care-related and education services in disadvantaged or remote areas.  

13 

 
 
 
 
 
Dimension 6: Taking a person-centred and place-based approach  

This dimension examines whether anti-poverty policies systematically account for intersecting vulnerabilities and territorial disparities, 
ensuring that measures across all policy areas effectively reach people facing compounded disadvantages and unequal access to opportunities 
and services. National, regional and local authorities, where relevant, are invited to apply this dimension across all other dimensions of the 
guidance, from governance to income, employment and services. 

6.1 Integrated support 

6.2  Life-course and life-
situation risks 

14 

-  Anti-poverty policies are designed, implemented and reviewed around the situation of individuals 
and households, recognising that poverty and social exclusion is often multidimensional and 
cumulative and anchored in territorial contexts. 

- 

Integrated needs assessments identify overlapping challenges, such as income, employment, health, 
housing, care, and social participation. 

-  For people facing multiple disadvantages, access to support is improved through integrated service 

pathways or single contact points. In practice, this includes coordination efforts, and shared 
protocols between social, employment, health, and integration services ensure equitable access and 
outcomes. Integrated service pathways require a phased approach combined with long term capacity 
investment.  

-  Case management specially for complex cases support continuity over time, particularly during 
transitions or crisis situations ensuring that individuals receive personalised care and guidance, 
supported by qualified staff. 

-  Rapid-response and crisis support mechanisms are available to provide timely, targeted assistance to 

individuals and households facing sudden income shocks or hardship situations. 

-  Poverty risks at different life stages (childhood, youth, working age and older age) are identified and 

monitored.  

-  Targeted measures to support women when experiencing life situations that put them at higher risk 
of poverty such as domestic violence, single parenthood and increase in care responsibilities.xiii 

-  Targeted measures address life situations associated with higher poverty risks, such disability, long-

term care needs, mental health challenges, and homelessness. 

 
 
 
 
-  Policies facilitate smooth transitions between life stages such as education to work, work to 

retirement, and care entry and exit, to prevent disruption and entry into poverty through for example 
transition plans and links between benefits and enabling services at critical moments (e.g. childbirth, 
job loss, loss of autonomy in older age). 

-  Policies support people not only to exit poverty but also to stay out of it, by reducing the risk of 

“cycling back” through stable income pathways, gradual benefit and services withdrawal and follow-
up support where needed. 

6.3  Vulnerable groups, 

-  Groups at higher risk of poverty or social exclusion are identified using disaggregated data and 

intersectional vulnerabilities 
and equal treatmentxiv 

relevant indicators, including factors such as gender, age, disability, migration background, ethnic 
origin or other personal characteristics. 

-  Targeted measures are developed to support groups facing higher risks of poverty or social 

exclusion, such as single parents, persons with disabilities, people with a migrant background, Roma 
and LGBTIQ+ persons.xv 

-  Policies and services are adapted to address intersectional disadvantages, recognising that multiple 

factors may reinforce poverty risks. 

-  Frontline services receive training to effectively recognise and address discrimination and bias, 

promoting equal treatment.  

-  Service providers are accountable, and complaint and redress mechanisms are accessible for service 

users. 

6.4  Territorial and local 

-  Territorial disparities in poverty risks and access to employment are mapped and monitored. 

disparities 

15 

-  Local and regional authorities are empowered and resourced to tailor national policies to local needs 
and contexts and/or complement them with additional support, including through simplified access 
to funding. 

-  Targeted measures address specific challenges in urban deprived areas, rural regions, remote and 

outermost regions. In practice this can include place-based strategies for disadvantaged regions and 
neighbourhoods.  

 
 
 
 
i In line with the Council Recommendation 2019/C 387/01 of 8 November 2019 on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed  
ii In line with the Council Recommendation 2023/C 41/01 of 30 January 2023 on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion  
iii In line with the Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on adequate minimum wages in the European 
Union and Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation 
iv In line with Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the General Comment Nr 8, Article 27 – Work and employment | 
United Nations Enable, CRPD/C/GC/8: General comment No. 8 (2022) on the right of persons with disabilities to work and employment | OHCHR 
v In line with the Council Recommendation 2016/C 67/01 of 15 February 2016 on the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market  and the 
Council Recommendation 2020/C 372/01 of 30 October 2020 on A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee and replacing the Council 
Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee  
vi In line with the Disability employment Package and the Communication from the Commission – Union of equality: Strategy for the rights of persons with 
disabilities 2021-2030  
vii In line with the Council Recommendation C/2023/1344 of 27 November 2023 on developing social economy framework conditions  
viii In line with the Commission Recommendation 2013/112/EU of 20 February 2013 Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage  
ix In line with the Council Recommendation 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee and Council Recommendation 2022/C 484/01 
of 8 December 2022 on early childhood education and care: the Barcelona targets for 2030  
x In line with the Council Recommendation 2021/C 93/01 of 12 March 2021 on Roma equality, inclusion and participation  
xi In line with the Council Recommendation 2022/C 476/01 of 8 December 2022 on access to affordable high-quality long-term care  
xii In line with The Lisbon Declaration on the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, adopted on 21 June 2021 by EU institutions, Member States, 
social partners, and civil society organisations 
xiii In line with the Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic 
violence 
xiv In line with the Directive (EU) 2024/1499 of  the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2024 on standards for equality bodies in the field of equal 
treatment between persons irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, equal treatment in matters of employment and occupation between persons irrespective of 
their religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, equal treatment between women and men in matters of social security and in the access to and supply 
of goods and services, and amending Directives 2000/43/EC and 2004/113/EC; and in line with the Directive (EU) 2024/1500 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of 
employment and occupation, and amending Directives 2006/54/EC and 2010/41/EU 
xv In line with the Anti-Racism Strategy 2026 | European Commission, LGBTIQ+ equality strategy 2026 - 2030 - European Commission and the Gender equality 
strategy - European Commission 

16