EU Anti-poverty Strategy

Background

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued an exploratory opinion at the request of the European Commission, calling for a comprehensive and rights-based EU Anti-poverty Strategy (APS). The opinion stresses that poverty is not merely a socio-economic issue but a violation of fundamental rights and a systemic injustice. It advocates for a multidimensional and intersectional approach to poverty, addressing material deprivation alongside social, psychological, political, and gender dimensions. The APS is intended to align with the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 on ending poverty.

Key points

In the opinion the EESC:

• Believes the APS should be intersectional and gender-responsive, based on a multidimensional definition of poverty
• Recommends setting ambitious, measurable targets, including the eradication of extreme poverty, and framing poverty as a violation of fundamental rights
• Proposes key elements for the APS:
  • Binding standards on adequate income and social protection across Member States.
  • Measures to combat in-work poverty, including active labour market policies, quality jobs, and implementation of the Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages.
  • Universal access to affordable, quality social and essential services.
  • Robust governance, funding, and participation mechanisms.
  • Recognition of the role of social partners and civil society organisations in fighting poverty

Additional information

EESC section: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion at the request of the European Commission

Rapporteurs: Krzysztof BALON (Civil Society Organisations' Group – PL), Sophia REISECKER (Workers' Group – AT)

Reference: SOC/829 – EESC-2025-00984-00-00-AC

Date of adoption by section: 27/6/2025

Contact

Valeria Atzori, Administrator
Email: Valeria.Atzori@eesc.europa.eu
Tel.: +32 25468774