New Caritas Report: 'Europe 2020 will not deliver if dominated by economic drivers'

Social objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy need to be at the heart of EU policies to restore the confidence of citizens, reverse current negative trends, and achieve social and economic justice, according to a new report published by Caritas Europa today (19 November). The report highlights the gap in achieving the Europe 2020 poverty targets, and encourages that a holistic approach, involving other EU programmes and initiatives, contribute toward achieving the Europe 2020 objectives, with a particular focus on social targets.

The report, entitled Europe 2020: Where Are We Now and What Way Forward. 5 years after committing to poverty reduction and employment growth, is the fourth annual edition of Caritas Europa’s Shadow Report. The report is based on the unique, grassroots experiences of Caritas organisations and their staff in 27 member states, who are witnesses to the life testimonies of people experiencing poverty in Europe. Their daily interactions with people in need, positions them well to draft key recommendations to policy makers ahead of the mid-term review of the Europe 2020.

SOME KEY RECOMMENDATIONS TO POLICY AKERS

• Ensure that the social objectives of the Europe 2020 are at the heart of EU policies.
• Ensure the Strategy has a supervisory role, with other EU initiatives contributing to achieving Europe 2020 goals, including social goals.
• Take multi-dimensional measures (sustainable taxation and fiscal systems, income, social services, housing, etc.) in order to reach the poverty targets.
• Contribute to ending the creation of unstable, precarious jobs, leading to in-work poverty, as this deters from achieving economic and employment growth.
• Break down poverty and social exclusion targets into specific priorities, such as child poverty, youth poverty, and in-work poverty.

Caritas Europa Secretary General Jorge Nuño Mayer said: “We believe that this report can contribute to the revision of the Europe 2020, as defined by the President of the European Commission last week. There is still half a decade to make Europe more social. Six years since the beginning of the crisis in 2008, there is very little growth and, in contrast, there are enormous debt levels, huge numbers of unemployed, and millions of people living in poverty. With this study, Caritas Europa shows its commitment in supporting EU and national politicians to revise the Europe 2020 Strategy in order to reach its initial aims, especially the poverty targets”.

Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Marianne Thyssen said: “The number of households suffering from severe material deprivation, low-work intensity and in-work poverty has gone up dramatically. This Commission intends to make a fresh start at tackling the social challenges, both those stemming from the crisis and those that predate it. President Juncker, therefore, agreed on a contract with the European Parliament. This contract is based on investments, structural reforms and fiscal credibility.”

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