The European Commission proposed measures that will help reduce the number of people at risk of poverty by 15 million by 2030. Among other things, it addresses the situation of children, the homeless, and people with disabilities.
The European Union has presented a comprehensive strategy to combat poverty for the first time. With the new concept, the EU aims to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, the European Commission stated in Brussels on Wednesday, May 6. In the long term, by 2050, the European Union aims to completely eradicate poverty.
Poverty Threatens One in Four Children in the EU
The European Commission has developed the anti-poverty strategy in the context of growing social issues in Europe. Currently, poverty threatens one in five residents of the European Union as a whole and one in four children.
According to EU estimates, 93 million people are in a difficult financial situation, with single parents raising children and young people aged 16 to 29 being particularly vulnerable. The situation is expected to worsen further, noted European Commission Vice President Roxana Minzatu, pointing to the current geopolitical and economic crises.
Proposed Measures
A key focus of the EU strategy is to combat child poverty, for example, by improving access to education, healthcare, and preschool facilities. Additionally, there are plans to expand mental health programs.
At the same time, the European Commission proposes to take more effective measures against the housing shortage. In the EU, about 1 million people are homeless, and many cities lack affordable housing. Another focus is the integration of people with disabilities, of whom there are about 90 million in the EU. People with disabilities have significantly lower chances of employment and are more likely to suffer from poverty.
No Separate Funding Will Be Allocated
The strategy does not provide for separate funding; in Brussels, there is a proposal to focus on more effective use of already allocated funds. In particular, the European Commission indicated that the next EU budget for several years includes at least 100 billion euros for social needs. Furthermore, the European Investment Bank and other institutions plan to invest billions of euros in social infrastructure.
The European Commission's proposals will be submitted for discussion among EU countries.
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