The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights, Roxana Mînzatu, announced this Wednesday at the Forum Europa in Brussels that her institution will present its "first" comprehensive strategy against poverty next year, with the aim of eradicating this social problem in the EU by 2050 and lifting 15 million Europeans out of the risk of social exclusion by 2030.
During an event organised by New Economy Forum in the EU's capital, Mînzatu emphasised that the current situation is "unacceptable", as poverty rates continue to rise, particularly amongst children.
"Next year we will present a strong message at European level", stated the Vice-President, who stressed that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has expressed a "strong ambition" to address this problem.
The Vice-President recalled that currently 93 million Europeans are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, a situation that requires working jointly with Member States, communities and economic stakeholders to eradicate poverty by 2050.
The strategy against poverty will be "one of the most complex and important tools" to be presented by the European Commission, according to Mînzatu, who explained that work is being carried out in different areas such as transport and energy poverty.
The Vice-President is holding talks with the Economy Ministers of all Member States on social investment and resource planning to achieve the goal of eradicating poverty, although she acknowledged that "it cannot be solved with EU money alone".
"We are studying the best way to tackle child poverty", pointed out Mînzatu, who insisted that it is necessary to strengthen efforts and coordinate actions amongst all the administrations involved.
The European Commission will present an affordable housing plan in December which will include measures to address the problem of homelessness, following the "Housing First" principle.
The European Social Fund + (ESF+) may be used to subsidise vulnerable people who need temporary help to have a roof over their heads, although Mînzatu emphasised that it is also essential to enable local authorities to invest in their housing stock.
The Vice-President explained that modifications to state aid rules are being studied to simplify and allow public investment in social infrastructure, both public and private.
The Commission has carried out a mid-term review of cohesion policy so that Member States can redirect funds towards the housing priority, with higher co-financing and pre-financing rates.
States that invest in housing-related challenges will receive additional advantages, although Mînzatu acknowledged that European funds are "only part of the answer" to addressing this social problem.
