Comité Económico y Social Europeo
SOC/530
Lucha contra la pobreza
Bruselas, 22 de enero de 2016
PROYECTO DE DICTAMEN
de la Sección Especializada de Empleo, Asuntos Sociales y Ciudadanía
sobre el tema
Lucha contra la pobreza
(dictamen exploratorio)
_____________
Ponente: Seamus Boland
Coponente: Marjolijn Bulk
_____________
Miembros de la Sección Especializada de Empleo, Asuntos Sociales y Ciudadanía
Nota:
El presente documento se examinará en la reunión del 28 de enero de 2016, que dará
comienzo a las 9.30 horas. A fin de cumplir los plazos de traducción, se ruega remitir por
escrito las eventuales enmiendas a la secretaría de la Sección antes de las 9.30 horas
del 26 de enero de 2016 por correo electrónico (soc@eesc.europa.eu).
Documento transmitido para su traducción el 18 de enero de 2016 .
Administradora: Judite Berkemeier
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 1/25
Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 — 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel — BELGIQUE/BELGIË
Tel. +32 25469011 — Fax +32 25134893 — Internet: http://www.eesc.europa.eu
ES
Grupo de Estudio:
Lucha contra la pobreza
Presidente:
Jan Klimek (PL-I)
Ponente:
Coponente:
Seamus Boland (IE-III)
Marjolijn Bulk (NL-II)
Miembros:
Sr./Sra.
Bontea (RO-I)
Milićević-Pezelj (HR-II)
Petropoulos (EL-II)
Roirant (FR-III)
Schlüter (DE-III)
Sharma (UK-I)
Experto:
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 2/25
El 18 de diciembre de 2015, de conformidad con el artículo 304 del Tratado de Funcionamiento de la
Unión Europea, el Consejo Europeo decidió consultar al Comité Económico y Social Europeo sobre
el tema
Lucha contra la pobreza
(dictamen exploratorio).
La Sección Especializada de Empleo, Asuntos Sociales y Ciudadanía, encargada de preparar los
trabajos en este asunto, aprobó su dictamen el …
En su ...° Pleno de los días ... (sesión del ...), el Comité Económico y Social Europeo aprobó por ...
votos a favor, ... en contra y ... abstenciones el presente dictamen.
*
*
1.
*
Conclusiones y recomendaciones
El CESE
1.1
respalda la intención de la Presidencia neerlandesa del Consejo de abordar la cuestión de la
pobreza y la exclusión social mediante enfoques integrados y en colaboración con las partes
interesadas públicas y privadas pertinentes. No obstante, el CESE también considera que los
Estados miembros deberían contar con el apoyo de un marco común europeo que fomente los
enfoques de este tipo;
1.2
apoya a la Presidencia neerlandesa del Consejo en sus esfuerzos por promover las
evaluaciones inter pares de las buenas prácticas multinivel en materia de lucha contra la
pobreza, pero destaca que los municipios y el resto de agentes que hacen uso de tales
prácticas deberían contar con el apoyo de unas estrategias nacionales sólidas;
1.3
está convencido de que se necesita un verdadero marco a escala de la UE que facilite el
intercambio y la difusión de buenas prácticas en la lucha contra la pobreza;
1.4
insta al Consejo de la UE a reiterar el compromiso contraído con la Estrategia Europa 2020 de
reducir de aquí a 2020 el número de personas que viven por debajo del umbral de la pobreza
en, al menos, veinte millones;
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 3/25
1.5
recomienda que el Consejo, al hacerlo, tenga en cuenta los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible
–tal y como se señala en la Agenda 2030 para el desarrollo sostenible– y que garantice que
esta Agenda esté vinculada a la Estrategia Europa 2020;
1.6
está convencido de que las estructuras de gobernanza del Consejo deberían ser más
equilibradas y pide reforzar la cooperación entre los Consejos ECOFIN y EPSCO;
1.7
considera que, durante el Semestre Europeo, los objetivos sociales y en materia de empleo
deberían situarse al mismo nivel que las consideraciones macroeconómicas;
1.8
recomienda que el Semestre Europeo tenga plenamente en cuenta el objetivo de la Estrategia
Europa 2020 de reducir la pobreza y que este aspecto esté presente a lo largo de todo el
proceso, desde el Estudio Prospectivo Anual sobre el Crecimiento hasta las recomendaciones
específicas por país, lo que ayuda a los Estados miembros a alcanzar sus objetivos de
reducción de la pobreza;
1.9
insta a los Estados miembros a que pongan en marcha sus propias estrategias nacionales
integradas de lucha contra la pobreza y a que, al hacerlo, se orienten por la «Recomendación
de la Comisión sobre la inclusión activa de las personas excluidas del mercado laboral».
Gracias a la interacción entre sus tres ejes (1. un apoyo a la renta adecuado, 2. unos mercados
de trabajo inclusivos, 3. el acceso a unos servicios de calidad), esta Recomendación es
considerada en gran medida como la estrategia más completa y eficiente para erradicar la
pobreza y la exclusión social;
1.10
pone de relieve el elevado nivel de pobreza infantil en los Estados miembros y la necesidad
inmediata de aplicar la Recomendación de la Comisión «Invertir en la infancia: romper el
ciclo de las desventajas», que forma parte del Paquete sobre inversión social de 2013 y que
utiliza una estructura muy similar a la Recomendación sobre la inclusión activa, ya que
contiene tres ejes similares: 1. acceso a recursos adecuados, 2. acceso a servicios asequibles y
de calidad, 3. derecho de los niños a participar;
1.11
reitera su propuesta de introducir a escala de la UE un apoyo a la renta adecuado.
1.12
insta a los Estados miembros a que apliquen el Paquete sobre inversión social de 2013 y
reitera su opinión sobre la importancia de la inversión social;
1.13
pide a la Comisión que proponga sin demora nuevas directrices para la consulta de las partes
interesadas en el ámbito social, lo que les permitirá contribuir de forma estructurada como
parte del Semestre Europeo en todas las fases del proceso, es decir, durante el diseño,
ejecución y evaluación;
1.14
insta a los Estados miembros a que hagan un mejor uso de los fondos de la UE disponibles
para apoyar la inclusión social y pide a la Comisión que consulte urgentemente a los Estados
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 4/25
miembros y las partes interesadas para averiguar si la decisión de asignar el 20 % del Fondo
Social Europeo (FSE) a la promoción de la inclusión social y la lucha contra la pobreza se
está aplicando de forma efectiva;
1.15
anima encarecidamente a la Comisión a que integre en el anunciado «pilar europeo de
derechos sociales» unos principios que establezcan normas y sistemas sociales más eficaces y
fiables y que haga de la lucha contra la pobreza y la exclusión social uno de los principales
componentes de este pilar.
2.
Introducción
2.1
La Presidencia neerlandesa del Consejo destaca la necesidad de revertir la tendencia al
aumento de la pobreza en la UE. Para conseguirlo, desea estimular el intercambio de buenas
prácticas, en particular en lo que se refiere a enfoques integrados y cooperación entre las
partes interesadas (públicas y privadas) pertinentes.
2.2
Aunque en sus dictámenes sobre la lucha contra la pobreza el CESE ha adoptado de
preferencia un enfoque descendente, motivado por su convencimiento de que la lucha contra
la pobreza es deber de los responsables políticos (instituciones de la UE y Gobiernos de los
Estados miembros), acoge con satisfacción la intención de la Presidencia de organizar
evaluaciones inter pares para estudiar los enfoques «ascendentes», es decir, ejemplos de
métodos de asociación que utilizan los Estados miembros para luchar contra la pobreza y que
implican a varias partes interesadas, entre las que se cuentan el sector público, los
interlocutores sociales, las organizaciones de base, las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro y la
economía social.
2.3
Por consiguiente, el CESE coincide plenamente en que la lucha contra la pobreza requiere un
enfoque multilateral y que todas las partes interesadas deberían contribuir a lograr una
reducción máxima de la pobreza. Las buenas prácticas que se mencionan en el anexo 2 de este
dictamen provienen de varias partes interesadas europeas.
3.
Observaciones de carácter general: la necesidad de luchar contra la pobreza
3.1
Aunque desde 2008 varias graves crisis económicas y financieras sucesivas han contribuido a
aumentar la inestabilidad y la pobreza en la Unión Europea, en la mayoría de los Estados
miembros las medidas de protección social han ayudado a amortiguar los efectos de la crisis.
Sin embargo, debido a la crisis financiera de 2011, esta tendencia se revirtió y las medidas de
austeridad presupuestaria comenzaron a obstaculizar los gastos sociales, lo que agravó la
situación. En la actualidad, incluso la Comisión Europea reconoce que no es posible alcanzar
el objetivo sobre la pobreza.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 5/25
3.2
Sin protección social casi la mitad de los europeos viviría en la pobreza. Sin embargo, las tres
funciones principales de las políticas de bienestar –estabilización automática, protección
social e inversión social– se han visto debilitadas por las recientes restricciones fiscales
diseñadas para afrontar la crisis. Esta situación tiene que cambiar.
3.3
El CESE está convencido de que sería mejor que la Estrategia Europa 2020 estuviera mucho
mejor vinculada al Semestre Europeo. El objetivo de reducción de la pobreza debe seguir
siendo el elemento fundamental de esta Estrategia y las ambiciones de los Estados miembros
en este ámbito deberían ser mucho mayores. La suma de los 28 compromisos individuales
para reducir la pobreza no concuerda con la ambición compartida de la UE de sacar, al
menos, a veinte millones de personas de la pobreza en la UE de aquí a 2020.
3.4
La reducción de la pobreza es en gran medida competencia de los Estados miembros. Estos
podrían mejorar conjuntamente su situación mediante un intercambio, con sus homólogos, de
buenas prácticas, entre las que se cuentan los enfoques integrados y la colaboración entre las
partes interesadas (públicas y privadas) pertinentes para luchar contra la pobreza. El Consejo
debería instar a los Estados miembros a diseñar las estrategias integradas necesarias para
reducir la pobreza.
3.5
La evaluación del impacto social debería desempeñar un papel importante a lo largo de todo
el proceso legislativo, a fin de tener mejor en cuenta la naturaleza multidimensional de la
pobreza y la exclusión social (que va más allá de la pobreza material y abarca otras formas de
desventajas económicas y sociales, como la falta de igualdad en el acceso a la educación, el
empleo, la vivienda, la atención sanitaria y la participación social).
3.6
La pobreza también es una preocupación mundial. Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de
las Naciones Unidas1, aprobados en 2015 (principalmente el objetivo 1: Erradicar la pobreza
en todas sus formas en todo el mundo), deberían ser tenidos en cuenta por las instituciones de
la UE y los Estados miembros e integrados en sus estrategias. La Agenda 2030 para el
Desarrollo Sostenible2 debería vincularse a la Estrategia Europa 2020.
3.7
El CESE es consciente de la próxima puesta en marcha del «pilar europeo de derechos
sociales» y, según la Comisión, el concepto de la «convergencia ascendente» de los Estados
miembros en el ámbito social desempeñará un papel importante en este «pilar». El CESE
anima a la Comisión a integrar en este pilar unos principios que establezcan normas y
sistemas sociales más eficaces y fiables3 (más concretamente, normas sociales sólidas
relativas a un apoyo a la renta adecuado a lo largo de toda la vida, unos mercados de trabajo
inclusivos y el acceso no discriminatorio a servicios asequibles y de alta calidad para todos) y,
1
2
3
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1300.
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E.
DO C 13 de 15.1.2016, pp. 40 y siguientes.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 6/25
de esta manera, contribuir a hacer de la lucha contra la pobreza y la exclusión social uno de
los principales componentes del pilar.
4.
Observaciones específicas: instrumentos que se deben evaluar
4.1
La Comisión Europea ha sido muy activa a la hora de proponer exhaustivas recomendaciones,
que se han considerado muy útiles en la lucha contra la pobreza. Esto es especialmente cierto
en lo que se refiere a la «Recomendación de la Comisión sobre la inclusión activa de las
personas excluidas del mercado laboral»4 y a la Recomendación «Invertir en la infancia:
romper el ciclo de las desventajas»5. Si el Consejo desea privilegiar un «enfoque integrado»
para luchar contra la pobreza, debería comenzar por recordar a los Estados miembros la
necesidad de seguir estas recomendaciones activamente.
4.2
El Paquete sobre inversión social de 20136 es otra iniciativa positiva de la Comisión. La
inversión social se refiere a políticas que preparan a los individuos y las familias para afrontar
los nuevos riesgos sociales que causa la competitiva sociedad del conocimiento mediante la
inversión en capital humano desde la infancia en adelante, en lugar de simplemente «reparar»
daños después de etapas de crisis económica o política7. Sin embargo, a pesar de su
pertinencia, la inversión social aún no representa un enfoque aplicado por todos los Estados
miembros. Si el Consejo desea recopilar un listado de buenas prácticas en la lucha contra la
pobreza, sin duda debería considerar los logros alcanzados hasta el momento en el ámbito de
la inversión social y apoyar este tipo de iniciativas8.
4.3
Los regímenes de renta mínima en determinados Estados miembros no son suficientes para
combatir la pobreza9. Aunque desde 2010 se han introducido reformas en los regímenes de
renta mínima en algunos países (como Austria, Alemania, España y Portugal) o se han
anunciado reformas o se encuentran en fase de ensayo (como Grecia e Italia), no son
suficientes. El CESE ha pedido que se tomen medidas europeas de apoyo a una renta mínima
adecuada en Europa10 y que se invierta en sistemas de protección social adecuados, generales
y universales, que pueden prevenir el riesgo de pobreza a lo largo de toda la vida11. El
Consejo debería apoyar todas estas medidas.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
DO L 307 de 18.11.2008, pp. 11 y siguientes.
COM(2013) 778 final.
COM(2013) 83 final y documentos adjuntos.
Hemerijck (2014) y Social Justice Ireland: «Europe. A union for the powerless as well as the powerful».
Véase «Social Investment in Europe - A study of national policies», Comisión Europea, 2015.
Bouget et al. (2015) y Social Justice Ireland: «Europe. A union for the powerless as well as the powerful».
Véase DO C 170 de 5.6.2014, pp. 23 y siguientes.
Véase DO C 226 de 16.7.2014, pp. 21 y siguientes.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 7/25
5.
Observaciones específicas: medidas sobre la gobernanza
5.1
A causa de la crisis del euro se introdujeron cambios de gran alcance para la gobernanza
económica europea. Se prestó atención especial a la estabilidad macroeconómica y las
«reformas que impulsan el crecimiento», pero, hasta la fecha, no se ha dedicado suficiente
atención a la gobernanza social. No obstante, las políticas económicas deberían examinar el
impacto que tendrán en el empleo de calidad y la cohesión social. Además, puesto que
la UEM se beneficiaría de la existencia de una dimensión social, las estructuras de
gobernanza del Consejo deberían ser más equilibradas y la cooperación entre los Consejos
ECOFIN y EPSCO debería reforzarse.
5.2
Los comités EMCO y SPC deberían seguir desempeñando un papel activo en la evaluación de
las reformas nacionales como parte del proceso del Semestre Europeo, pero también iniciar
progresivamente la consulta de las partes interesadas europeas pertinentes a escala de la UE.
5.3
El indicador compuesto «pobreza», empleado para definir la pobreza en la Estrategia
Europa 2020, se basa en tres indicadores individuales: (1) personas en riesgo de pobreza;
(2) personas con privación material severa; (3) personas que viven en hogares con intensidad
laboral muy baja. En el marco de esta estrategia, los Estados miembros han de fijar sus
propios objetivos nacionales para contribuir al objetivo global sobre la base de estos tres
indicadores y de acuerdo con sus circunstancias y prioridades nacionales. No obstante,
el CESE señala que el hecho de que se diera a los Estados miembros la libertad de elegir entre
los tres indicadores mencionados ha contribuido a las variaciones en los enfoques nacionales,
lo que podría hacer necesarias nuevas recomendaciones.
5.4
La evaluación realizada por la EAPN de los programas nacionales de reforma 2015 demuestra
que el 88 % de ellos no tenía la pobreza como una prioridad esencial y que ninguna de las
recomendaciones específicas por país de 2015 menciona la reducción de la pobreza12. Por
consiguiente, la EAPN ha propuesto que el Semestre Europeo se centre más en las cuestiones
sociales, desde el Estudio Prospectivo Anual sobre el Crecimiento hasta el conjunto de
recomendaciones específicas por país en materia de lucha contra la pobreza13. El CESE
concuerda con esta propuesta y recomienda que las partes interesadas nacionales participen en
la preparación, ejecución y comunicación de los programas nacionales de reforma. De manera
más general, con el fin de permitir a los Estados miembros aprender unos de otros, los
resultados de las consultas con las partes interesadas pertinentes a escala europea y nacional
deberían hacerse públicos como parte del Semestre Europeo.
12
13
Es decir, a pesar de que en 2015 Bulgaria afrontaba niveles muy elevados de pobreza, ninguna recomendación específica en 2015
puso de manifiesto esta situación.
Véase EAPN (2015): «Can the Semester deliver on poverty and participation? EAPN Assessment of the National Reform
Programmes 2015».
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 8/25
5.5
Los Estados miembros deberían elaborar y aplicar estrategias nacionales exhaustivas e
integradas para luchar contra la pobreza, la exclusión social y la discriminación. Estas
estrategias deberían incluir los ámbitos siguientes: apoyo a la renta adecuado, mercados de
trabajo inclusivos, empleos de calidad, igualdad de acceso a servicios asequibles y de alta
calidad, mejor uso de los Fondos Estructurales de la UE, integración económica y social de
los inmigrantes, lucha contra la discriminación y colaboración con los interlocutores sociales
y las partes interesadas no gubernamentales.
5.6
Los Estados miembros deben utilizar los Fondos Estructurales de la UE para apoyar la
inclusión social de todos los ciudadanos. En particular, la Comisión debería consultar
urgentemente a los Estados miembros y las partes interesadas para averiguar si se está
aplicando la decisión del Consejo de asignar el 20 % del Fondo Social Europeo (FSE) a la
promoción de la inclusión social y la lucha contra la pobreza14.
6.
Observaciones específicas: medidas sobre la participación de las partes interesadas
6.1
Una de las iniciativas emblemáticas de la Estrategia Europa 2020, la Plataforma Europea
contra la Pobreza y la Exclusión Social, se creó como un marco general que abarca una
amplia gama de políticas destinadas a contribuir al objetivo europeo sobre la pobreza15.
Debería haber servido como base de un compromiso conjunto entre los Gobiernos nacionales,
las instituciones de la UE y las partes interesadas clave para combatir la pobreza y la
exclusión social, pero hasta la fecha solo ha funcionado como plataforma de debate y no ha
producido resultados tangibles en cuanto a la consecución de los objetivos de lucha contra la
pobreza. El Consejo y la Comisión deberían buscar caminos que permitan convertirla en una
plataforma de apoyo a las buenas prácticas en la lucha contra la pobreza y garantizar su
vinculación directa con los principales procesos de la UE como, por ejemplo, el Semestre
Europeo y la Estrategia Europa 2020.
6.2
El CESE recuerda el considerando 16 de las anteriores Directrices integradas para el
crecimiento y el empleo, que establecía explícitamente que la Estrategia Europa 2020 «debe
aplicarse, supervisarse y evaluarse, según proceda, en conjunción con todas las autoridades
nacionales, regionales y locales y en estrecha asociación con los parlamentos, así como los
interlocutores sociales y los representantes de la sociedad civil»16. Este extracto sirve para
hacer hincapié en que es necesario mejorar la forma en que se consulta a las partes interesadas
europeas y nacionales durante las fases de diseño, ejecución y evaluación del Semestre
Europeo.
14
15
16
Véase http://ec.europa.eu/esf/main.jsp?catId=62&langId=es.
Véase http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=es&catId=961 y DO C 248, 25.8.2011, pp. 130 y siguientes.
Véase http://zb.itb.pl/files/zb/europa2020_guidelines_for_employment_policies.pdf.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 9/25
6.3
En sus análisis la EAPN ha subrayado la falta de un auténtico compromiso por parte de las
instituciones de la UE y las partes interesadas (públicas y privadas) pertinentes –como los
interlocutores sociales, las ONG y otros– durante las fases de diseño y ejecución del
Semestre. Para involucrar de forma eficaz a la sociedad civil en todas las etapas del proceso
del Semestre Europeo, la Comisión debe proponer sin demora nuevas directrices sobre
participación y supervisar los avances mediante los informes de país y otros documentos de
evaluación.
6.4
Asimismo, es necesario trabajar con las víctimas de la pobreza a fin de conocer sus opiniones
y contrarrestar el malestar a gran escala con la UE, especialmente entre los jóvenes. Las
reuniones anuales organizadas por la EAPN que agrupan a las personas que tienen una
experiencia directa de la pobreza son un ejemplo de buenas prácticas. El CESE pide a la
Comisión que vele por que estas reuniones continúen recibiendo apoyo financiero y se
integren en el proceso de consulta sobre los progresos realizados para alcanzar el objetivo de
reducción de la pobreza como parte del Semestre Europeo. Por otro lado, estas reuniones
deberían tener lugar también a escala nacional.
7.
Observaciones específicas: la responsabilidad de difundir buenas prácticas multinivel en
la lucha contra la pobreza
7.1
El CESE está de acuerdo con la intención de la Presidencia neerlandesa de organizar
evaluaciones inter pares de buenas prácticas multinivel en la lucha contra la pobreza, pero
destaca que los municipios no pueden ser las únicas entidades responsables de aportar tales
ejemplos. El CESE considera que las iniciativas locales y regionales no sustituyen las
responsabilidades y garantías centrales. Los Gobiernos y las partes interesadas públicas y
privadas deben cooperar de forma sistemática y estructurada si quieren alcanzar el objetivo de
reducir la pobreza.
7.2
El CESE desea señalar, por ejemplo, que en los Países Bajos muchas responsabilidades en el
ámbito de las cuestiones sociales se han transferido a los municipios. La concentración de
numerosas tareas a nivel municipal puede ser rentable y permitir soluciones adaptadas que
respondan a las necesidades de los beneficiarios, pero, tal como se indica en las
recomendaciones específicas para los Países Bajos, existe el riesgo de una posible reducción
de la financiación, lo que debe evitarse. La descentralización de las iniciativas no es
compatible con los recortes presupuestarios de los municipios.
7.3
Por consiguiente, el CESE considera que, aunque ciertamente existen buenas prácticas a
escala regional y local, estas no pueden ni deben llevarse a cabo de forma aislada: necesitan
estrategias nacionales que las apoyen.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 10/25
7.4
Asimismo, el CESE considera que, al seleccionar las buenas prácticas que merecen ser
fomentadas, es preciso centrarse en impulsar los enfoques basados en datos empíricos (por
ejemplo, cuestiones como: 1. ¿esta iniciativa funciona en la práctica? 2. ¿se puede utilizar en
otros lugares?) y en impulsar los vínculos entre las partes interesadas pertinentes. También
debe crearse un marco adecuado para el intercambio de buenas prácticas.
*
*
*
Nota: sigue anexo.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 11/25
APPENDIX 1
Facts and Figures
In examining the reality of poverty, it is useful to examine some facts and figures as outlined
by Eurostat17.
17

During the crisis and implementation of associated austerity measures, the proportion of
persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU has further increased (24.5% almost a quarter of the population - or 122.6 million people). That is higher now than in
2008 (23.8%). The rate is clearly higher today than in 2008 (23.8%).

In 2013, more than a third of the population was at risk of poverty or social exclusion in
five Member States: Bulgaria (48%), Romania (40.4%), Greece (35.7%), Latvia (35.1%)
and Hungary (33.5%).

17% of the EU28 population were at risk of poverty after social transfers, meaning that
their disposable income was below the national at-risk-of-poverty threshold.

10% of the EU28 population were severely materially deprived, i.e. experiencing at least 4
out of the 9 following items: cannot afford 1) to pay rent/mortgage or bills on time, 2) to
keep home warm, 3) to face unexpected expenses, 4) to eat meat, fish or a protein
equivalent every second day, 5) a one-week holiday away from home, 6) a car, 7) a
washing machine, 8) a colour TV, or 9) a telephone.

10% of the population aged 0-59 in the EU28 lived in households with very low work
intensity, i.e. where adults (aged 18-59) worked less than 20% of their total work potential
during the past year. Students are excluded.

Children (under 18) are among the groups that are more at risk of poverty or social
exclusion than the overall population, with a rate of 27.1%.

In addition to children, the poverty risk is particularly high among young people because
of the unprecedented high rates of youth unemployment and women. The figures do not
include some of those living in harsh conditions, such as minority ethnic groups,
immigrants and refugees, or homeless people, etc.

In 2011, 8.9% of those in employment were living below the poverty line and they
accounted for one third of all adults of working age at risk of poverty. Such levels of inwork-poverty are unacceptable.
Eurostat data (2013).
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 12/25

18
As stated in many studies18, high levels of inequality are not only a major concern in
themselves, because they mean a lack of social justice, but also harm economic
performance and growth.
i.e. OECD study (2015), In It Together.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 13/25
APPENDIX 2
Examples of successful practices to fight poverty and social exclusion in an integrated approach
Improving the inclusiveness of labour markets
1.
A partnership for employment (Finland)19
Example provided by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
Paltamo, a community located in NE Finland, is an important example of how the inhabitants and the
municipality have joined forces to solve the unemployment problem.
In 2011, there were about 300 unemployed people in the small town. They are now included in the
payroll of a new employment agency, run by the Paltamo employee association, which brings together
stakeholders, municipality, local entrepreneurs and trade unions. The ESF is also involved in
supporting this 4-year project.
The employment agency offers its services to outsourcing enterprises and associations, functioning
like a temporary work agency and thus obtaining work places for the Paltamo residents. The wages
are topped up with regular wage subsidies from the Employment and Economic Development Office
(Työ- ja elinkeinotoimisto). The municipality decided to involve itself in the project on the basis of
calculations which indicated that providing employment was less expensive than handing out passive
unemployment benefits.
This is also a good example of public investment in creating quality jobs, linked to concrete
community needs and following a needs assessment. The main aim is to prevent social exclusion
among unemployed people, and to create paths to quality, sustainable employment. Working hours
include training, information sessions, a full health evaluation, or rehabilitation services if needed, in
a comprehensive, holistic approach.
Paltamo’s model turns around the traditional thinking, where individual citizens are seeking work that
is suitable for them, as it is the municipality’s goal to seek suitable work for its people. If someone
refuses all work offers, the last option is receiving minimum welfare benefit. Before this initiative, the
unemployed inhabitants were paid benefits of 392 euros. Now they have a minimum wage of 800
euros.
19
EAPN (2011), Active Inclusion. Making it happen, p. 49.
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2.
Job Bank (Finland) and Füngeling Router (Germany)20
Example provided by the European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR)
The Job Bank project in Finland and the Füngeling Router project in Germany both show that social
enterprises can function as temporary employment agencies to facilitate the transition from school to
work. In Germany, the Füngeling Router initiative has offered temporary work for young people with
disabilities since a new labour law on temporary work allowed longer-term periods of temporary
work. Young people with disabilities are now legally allowed to stay in the enterprises long enough to
finish their vocational education qualifications. In Finland, Job Bank is made possible because of new
policy programmes for employment, entrepreneurship and work life, and the Act on Social
Enterprises. In both cases, therefore, new legislation and regulation have had a significant enabling
role.
Both initiatives offer clients an adequate income, access to services, the necessary training and a first
job in the open labour market. In both cases, the social enterprise is the client's first employer at the
start of the process, which "sells" the employee's work contributions to other companies. For the
receiving companies, this is a risk-free, flexible and easy way to recruit (temporary) new workers.
Ultimately, the projects aim to facilitate the transfer of employees to positions in the open labour
market.
Job Bank is an organisation created by four social enterprises that offers employers a workforce for
seasonal work and during busy production periods. When business is slow, Job Bank arranges other
work or training for the employee. The project offers an employee permanent, full-time employment
and pays wages that are at least at the level of collective agreements. Füngeling Router in Germany is
a social enterprise that advises severely disabled young people on employment opportunities and
arranges temporary work for its employees at regional enterprises.
In both cases, the young people gain experiences and skills in a real job. Condition-relevant (sensitive
to their abilities) job placements are preceded by individual and specific skill-building, involving
intensive preparation and acquiring an operational qualification. Where the work is interrupted (for
whatever reason), the enterprises offer training or coaching for the employee and assist in
coordinating the flexicurity of a salary and additional benefits.
In both cases, temporary work aims to place young people with disabilities in the open labour market
for the first time (and subsequently at later times), while the enterprise provides them with any means
necessary to secure that placement. Work-related assistance is as important as assisting clients in their
private lives. In the German case, the social enterprise aims to build "self-confidence and a wellbalanced social life" for the client. It also aims to create one-stop shops for companies that need
temporary staff in order to increase the proportion of young people with disabilities in open
employment.
20
Eurofound (2012), Active inclusion of young people with disabilities or health problems, Publications Office of the European
Union, Luxembourg. pp. 62-63.
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Job Bank has been very successful, with 189 people finding employment – 33% of these are in client
companies and 67% are in social enterprises. In the Füngeling case, approximately 60% of
participants were either working or on course to getting a job.
The main reasons why these initiatives can be considered good practice in active inclusion is because
the holistic approach adopted uses legal structures that are not specifically designed for people with
disabilities and creates niche workplaces for those who are qualified and looking for their first
experience of work in the open labour market. In addition, the social enterprises offer access to a
variety of individual health and social services for young people in need. Furthermore, after the
participants are trained, they are placed in a real job as soon as possible.
The social enterprises cover qualification, activation and job placement in accordance with the
participants’ health condition. They offer a permanent, full-time employment relationship and other
work or training during times of low demand, and pay at least the minimum collectively agreed wage.
In this way, they offer individual pathways to the open labour market.
Finally, hiring an employee with a health problem is a socially responsible act that provides a
competitive advantage to the hiring companies and is a critical factor in terms of corporate image and
corporate social responsibility.
3.
Social Cooperative Humana Nova (Croatia)21
Example provided by the European Network of Social Integration Enterprises (ENSIE)
Social Cooperative Humana Nova encourages the employment of the disabled and other sociallyexcluded persons through the production and selling of quality and innovative textile products made
from ecological and recycled fabrics for the needs of the domestic and the foreign markets.
It is a socially responsible company which in its operation pays great attention to addressing social,
environmental and economic problems. Humana Nova aims to integrate disadvantaged and disabled
people on the labour market. A specific focus is also given to vocational training, social support and
mentoring. Its approach aims to create conditions for social inclusion of people with multiple and
complex needs, taking into account the individual differences of every person.
Social Cooperative Humana Nova has collected 600.000,00 kg of clothing and footwear by the end of
June 2015. This has had a direct impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere but
also on the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the production of raw materials for the manufacture of
textiles.
21
http://www.humananova.org/en/news/0/60/the-impact-of-social-cooperative-humana-nova-in-2013th-year/.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 16/25
Beyond this ecological positive impact, one of the most important goal of Social cooperative Humana
Nova is encouraging employment of people with disabilities and other socially excluded people.
Today, they have 14 employees: 4 of them are persons with disabilities, 5 are long-term unemployed
middle aged women, one highly educated first time employed young textile designer, 1 long-term
unemployed middle aged men, 2 long-term unemployed young mothers and a manager who is an
educated economist. Employees of Humana Nova have experience of long-term social exclusion.
Therefore, this venture enabled their work integration that contributed to the increasing of their
economic activities, strengthening of theirs social networks, increasing of their personal well-being
and their sense of usefulness to the society.
The project has also a positive impact on the whole local community where it is located. Social
Cooperative Humana Nova has helped through donation more than 70 families in Međimurje County
and its surrounding areas. Of course, the wider community supports the work of social cooperative
Humana Nova through financial and material support: for instance, many people donate their old
clothes, while also having a positive impact on environment protection.
4.
The Inclusive Vocational Education and Specialised Tailor-Made Training project
(Austria, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia)22
Example provided by the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with
Disabilities (EASPD)
The EU 2020 Strategy on Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth that was launched in 2010
includes an agenda on New Skills and Jobs. To reach the goals of this strategy, it is crucial that
persons with a disability are involved in Europe’s activation and employment policies. An inclusive
vocational education and training (VET) system is essential in improving the chances of persons with
disabilities to integrate labour markets.
Investt is a three-year project (Dec 2012-Nov 2015) co-funded by the Lifelong Learning Leonardo Da
Vinci Programme (EU) that plays an important role with this regard.
The Inclusive Vocational Education and Specialised Tailor-Made Training (INVESTT) project seeks
to achieve better inclusion of young persons with disabilities in the system. This is an important tool
to support the transition of students from education to labour markets. INVESST wants to provide
schools with useful strategies to guide all students, with a wide range of abilities, and help them
achieve success in their communities.
The VET programme is based on the standards of employers in order to improve successful outcomes.
The teaching programmes have been developed according to the concepts of universal design and
reasonable accommodation, and are accompanied by a strategy based on research carried out in our
partner countries to help implement similar teaching programmes across Europe. The strategy has
been tested in four vocational centres in Europe: Austria (Salzburg), Belgium (Wetteren), Norway
22
http://www.easpd.eu/en/content/investt and http://investt.eu/.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 17/25
(Gand) and Slovenia (Celje). They are piloting new practices in Vocational Education and Training
together with local service providers and researchers.
An INVESTT Knowledge Center on inclusive education has also been created. Its aim is to gather a
broad range of different realities and success stories, and reach an important group of stakeholders, in
a spirit of mutual learning and synergy.
Ensuring access to quality services
5.
Crossroads: Information and support for EU migrants, Stockholm (Sweden)23
Example provided by Eurodiaconia, the European network of churches and Christian NGOs
providing social and health care services and advocating social justice
"It’s not possible to turn a blind eye to the growing group of poor EU-citizens who move between
different European countries. Crossroads activities uphold rights and prevent various forms of
economic and social exclusion. There is nothing that indicates that the need for this type of action will
diminish." – Crossroads Method Handbook
The Crossroads project was established in 2011, providing assistance to European migrants facing
poverty, homelessness and/or unemployment in Stockholm. It is a joint initiative by the Swedish
Public Employment Service, the City of Stockholm, the Salvation Army and the Stockholm City
Mission, co-financed through the European Social Fund from 2011-2013.
Crossroads’ key aim is to support the category of migrants who fall under the scope of the 2004
Movement Directive, and as such has two primary target groups: 1) EU mobile citizens and 2) thirdcountry nationals with the right to reside in another EU country. Both groups are allowed to freely
reside and to look for employment in Sweden for a period of up to 3 months, during which they
cannot access Sweden’s welfare and social protection systems. To extend their legal residence beyond
this initial period, they need to meet specific requirements, which are often unknown or confusing to
them; they face an increased risk of experiencing poverty and social exclusion.
Crossroads operates through an integrated, Active Inclusion approach: it combines the provision of
quality advice with meeting basic needs. On the one hand, it provides information on how the rules of
the Movement Directive translate into practice and informs migrants about processing times and other
potential obstacles. On the other hand, it provides migrants with shower and laundry facilities,
language courses, internet access, free breakfast and lunch, and a job searching service (also covering
the translation of documents and CV-writing support).
23
http://www.eurodiaconia.org/files/Events/CROSSROADS_20111209_2__AM_2.pdf.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 18/25
However, Crossroads goes beyond service provision; it has become a vibrant meeting place where
newcomers have the chance to share tips and experiences on their transitory hometown. Additionally,
it carries out advocacy and lobbying work, engaging decision-makers in dialogue on structural
barriers and potential solutions for its target group.
Crossroads has proven successful for several reasons:
1. "Sectorised" approach: each staff member specialises in a specific set of core activities
(for example: one specific station within the basic needs operations), rather than handling
a broad spectrum of varying tasks (which was initially pursued but turned out to be less
effective).
2. Multi-stakeholder cooperation: Crossroads relies on active collaboration between NGOs
and the Swedish authorities, and all partners contribute expertise on specific forms of
interventions for the target groups. What unites the various actors is that they realise that
they alone can’t handle the challenges which marginalised EU-citizens and third country
nationals are facing. Through the different perspectives which each party brings in, and
their shared responsibility, the interventions become more viable and long-term in scope.
3. User participation: What is central to Crossroads’ work is that participants are treated as
persons with valuable skills that can be an asset in the implementation of activities, but
also in the development of programmes and the shaping of the organisation as a whole.
User participation can reduce operational costs, increase service quality, and strengthen
legitimacy and mutual solidarity.
6.
Transitional Spaces Project tackling worklessness, homelessness and financial exclusion
(United Kingdom)24
Example provided by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
The project is an innovative three-year pilot helping 300 hostel and supported-housing residents in
London and Tyneside to find work, and then move into independent accommodation. It is a work-first
model of resettlement and is funded from by UK Government’s Invest to Save programme, the
London Housing Foundation and sponsorship from communities and local government. The project
prioritises people who are close to the labour market and provides personalised accompanied support
to access work and housing.
The project follows 4 phases:
1. Financial inclusion work: savings information, budgeting guidance, debt management
advice and support, bank account opening, participation in relevant training, including a
bank start grant of 50 pounds at the end of this stage.
24
EAPN (2011), Active Inclusion. Making it happen, p. 30.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 19/25
2. Employability work: giving job search advice, "better-off" calculations, interview tips,
referral to employers, training and job application support, including a job start grant of
250 pounds.
3. Tenancy work: help with house-hunting, benefits advice including ensuring that the
clients get full access to their housing benefit entitlement and 6-month resettlement
support. A home start grant of 1000 pounds is also awarded.
4. Ongoing support: both in terms of career development and support in their tenancy –
involving action planning, floating support and outreach, ongoing financial support and
money management. At the end of this stage, people receive a new home, a job and a
graduation grant of 500 pounds.
The project has achieved important results, following an independent evaluation that showed a strong
correlation between work and housing, with 38 people moving into private rented accommodation or
living with family or friends, and 32 people finding housing and a job. Around a quarter have secured
full-time sustainable jobs and moved into the private rented sector.
7.
Supporting young people leaving care - SOS Children’s Villages (Latvia)25
Example provided by Eurochild, the network of organisations and individuals working in and
across Europe to promote the rights and well-being of children and young people
In Latvia, the percentage of children living in a household at risk of poverty or social exclusion is
more than 40%. Around 25 000 out of 360 000 children in Latvia (7%) live in families in situations of
high social risk. The main factors affecting child poverty are the labour market situation of the
parents, which is linked to their level of education, the composition of the household in which the
children live and the effectiveness of government intervention through income support and the
provision of enabling services.
According to the experience of SOS Children’s Villages Latvia (hereafter SOS CV Latvia) as a
service provider, poverty is still one of the main reasons why children are placed in alternative care
(long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions). Two recent studies have demonstrated
that children leaving care are not well enough prepared and supported to lead an independent life.
This creates important cycles of disadvantage, making it difficult for the young adults to successfully
find work and integrate fully into society.
To address this, SOS CV Latvia has been running youth programmes for nine years. The main aim of
the programmes is to better prepare young people for independent life and to ensure that they are fully
integrated in society.
25
EU Alliance for Investing in Children, Implementation Handbook: Putting the Investing in Children Recommendation into Practice,
pp. 69-74.
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 20/25
Starting from the age of 15, young people in SOS programmes receive support for acquiring the
necessary skills for daily life, including education, life and social skills, career planning and independent living.
In the next phase, the young people have the possibility to live semi-independently. Young people live
in apartments that are provided to all care leavers by the municipalities in line with Latvian legislation.
SOS CV Latvia provides financial, psycho-emotional and practical support until the age of 24.
Youth participation is a core element of the programmes. For each care leaver, an individual
development plan that covers all aspects of their transition to independent living is drafted and
implemented. The care leavers take part in the development planning process according to their level
of maturity.
The support provided to young people who have left care is based on an integrated approach
connecting different sectors, including education, employment, housing, health and well-being. As a
result of the integrated approach that the SOS CV Latvia Youth Programme applies, good outcomes
for young people to transition to independent life have been achieved. Support at this crucial stage
marks an extremely valuable intervention to "break the cycle of disadvantage" facing young people.
8.
Inclusive practices for children in an irregular migration situation in Barcelona
(Spain)26
Example provided by Eurochild
The percentage of severe poverty of children of migrant origin in 2006 was 27.9% compared to 4.3%
of those of Spanish origin. Due to their irregular residence status, or the irregular status of their
parents, many children face restrictions in accessing essential services, such as education and health
care, and face high risks of experiencing poverty, social exclusion, exploitation and violence.
The municipality of Barcelona provides non-discriminatory access to essential services for all resident
children, regardless of status. Barcelona Council offers an inclusive registration service through the
initiative "Registration with No Fixed Address". This service allows people to register at the address
of a social institution or social services centre (e.g. Red Cross, Caritas) that has attended them,
provided an accompanying preliminary social report. It is particularly useful for many vulnerable
migrants who have no fixed address or who cannot provide documentary proof of residence (due to
refusal by the owner, for example, or the absence of a contract).
Registration of residency provides access to other municipal services, such as the network of libraries,
community centres, open social centres and primary care services. The City of Barcelona also has a
specific programme of detection and intervention services for non-citizen children without family
26
EU Alliance for Investing in Children (2015), Implementation Handbook: Putting the Investing in Children Recommendation
into Practice, pp. 87-92.
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care, in distress and at risk. Intervention is carried out by street educators, performing an intervention
plan.
In the municipality of Barcelona, as well as in the rest of the State, the right to access education is not
affected by the administrative status of the child. Additional school-based and extra-curricular
education support programmes are also open for all children regardless of residence status, including
nursery school, educational support programmes and outside school hours and holidays activities.
Different services work together (child welfare services, immigration authorities and other services) to
give an effective response to the needs of specific groups, such as undocumented children. The City
Council is working on a network with social organisations to promote mutual participation and
cohesive and effective work. The Citizen Agreement for an Inclusive Barcelona is a space for
collaboration and participation, shared between government and civil society.
The Barcelona Municipal Immigration Council (CMIB) is an advisory and participatory body with the
participation of the City Office of Barcelona and members of volunteer entities and immigrant
associations, social agents, municipal political groups and observers, all of whom intervene in the
social environment to help achieve the full exercise of citizenship for immigrants.
9.
Mobile debt counselling for senior citizens: “Diakonie Köln und Region” (Germany)27
Example provided by AGE Platform Europe, the European network of organisations of and
for people aged 50+
Increasing numbers of senior citizens in Germany are expressing concern about their financial
situation. Demographic change in Germany has prompted reform of the statutory pension system with
a reduction, by 2030, of the pension level from 51% to 43% of net average wage, thereby posing a
potential risk of real poverty in old age.
The new idea of bringing mobile debt counselling to older people is considered to be an excellent
example highlighting the need for special services for older people.
Outreach debt counselling services are a scarce commodity in Germany and rarely meet the needs of
older people in debt. Further obstacles include long waiting lists as well as restricted access for those
with physical and mental health problems. Older people often do not seek help, therefore
compounding social isolation by incurring rent arrears and other forms of debt, and, at its most
extreme, being unable to meet the daily cost of living. These people often resort to high interestcharge loans and are the group that needs urgent intervention and help.
Since 2008 the Diakonie Köln debt advice service has worked closely with the local seniors advisory
services and launched a seniors’ mobile debt counselling service in 2009. This required a radical
rethink from the traditional debt counselling approach; ensuring advisors were specially trained and
27
Social Inclusion and Dignity in Old Age - Promoting participatory approaches to use reference budgets, pp. 46-50
SOC/530 – EESC-2015-06663-00-00-PA-TRA (EN) 22/25
informed about the time-consuming nature of this kind of debt counselling. Normal approaches to
reducing debt are not applicable to this group as "classical" reasons for incurring debt such as
unemployment, separation or divorce are not the norm. Debt at an older age may be more related to
reduction in income following exit from the labour market, reduced pension due to recent government
policy, increased expenditure on health and social care including medicine, the death of a partner,
doorstep scams or fraud and the effect of factors such as the increasing cost of living – including
rising utility costs. This is further compounded by ignorance of, or diffidence in pursuing their rights,
as well as feelings of personal failure, leading to embarrassment when seeking help and reluctance to
accept welfare benefits.
Discussing their financial affairs and accepting welfare benefits is particularly hard for older people.
Many instances of debt could have been avoided had the client been willing to acknowledge the
problem earlier, sought help and taken action. At present there are few opportunities to access detailed
financial information, debt advice and bankruptcy services without personal contact. For this reason
Diakonie Köln is developing a brochure to prevent debt and poverty in old age and provide easy
signposting to counselling services.
10.
Promoting social inclusion of Roma young people in marginalised rural communities
(Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia)28
Example provided by the European Youth Forum, the platform of European nongovernmental youth organisations.
The project is two year initiative financed by European Commission within the PROGRESS Program.
It was implemented from October 2011 in Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia by Center Amalipe
(lead applicant), Liga pro Europa – Romania and National Roma Centrum – Macedonia (partners).
The overall project objective is to combat the social exclusion of young people from marginalised
Roma rural communities in Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia through developing and testing
innovative community based services.
The project meets three specific objectives: establishing and testing Community Support Centres as
framework for innovative community based services for social inclusion of young people in Roma
rural communities; measuring the effect of the established Community Support Centres on
strengthening the active participation and overcoming the social exclusion in rural communities;
ensuring the sustainability and wider application of the model established at national (Bulgaria,
Romania and Macedonia) and European levels.
The project is based on the assumption that the reasons for social exclusion relate not only to poverty
but also to the absence of social structures within the local communities. Community based services
are strong ways to support establishing community social structures and to foster social inclusion.
28
http://amalipe.com/index.php?nav=projects&id=57&lang=2.
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That is why the project promotes methodology that includes 3 aspects:
1. Developing Community Support Centres as framework for developing and testing
innovative forms of community based services in marginalised rural Roma communities.
2. Using the method of "social experimentation": the project will develop at relatively small
scale an innovative approach and concrete innovative forms of community based services
for social inclusion of young people from marginalised rural Roma communities.
3. The project applies a strong method of coordination since it ensures coordinated work of
responsible institutions, NGOs and Roma authorities.
Six community development centres (one-stop-shops) were established targeting Roma youth in rural
areas. Trained moderators mediate between the Roma youth and local government structures or
municipal social services and provide counselling and support for professional development. The
PROGRESS programme finances the two-year initiative that is being implemented in Bulgaria,
Romania and Macedonia.
It is a successful initiative because it is targeted, actively involves Roma youth in the process and
increases access to social services structures for young people that usually do not have that access.
Ensuring adequate income support
11.
A Right to a Minimum Income Guarantee – The Basque Model (Spain)29
Example provided by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
The Basque Country was responsible for developing the first comprehensive plan to combat poverty
in Spain, in the 1980s. In 1989, the first Minimum Income Guarantee was established, consequently
underpinned by the Exclusion Act, which established the right to a minimum income, based on
subjective rights.
The Minimum Income Guarantee aims to cover basic expenses and multiple needs, especially the
access and maintenance costs of housing, and access to adequate housing facilities.
Minimum income in the Basque Country accounts for 38.4% of minimum income in Spain, despite
the fact that only 2.5% of the Basque population lives under the poverty threshold. It has contributed
to reducing poverty rates in a particularly difficult context, marked by the increased immigration from
third countries and the financial crisis. The Basque Government sees the guarantee as "fully
compatible with the improvement of living conditions of the rest of society."
Until 2008 it was also compatible with strong employment growth, and represented a decisive
breakthrough of the Basque society to new heights of wellbeing. However, the major contribution is
in strengthening resilience to the recent economic crisis. A comparison of the unemployment rate in
29
EAPN (2011), Active Inclusion. Making it happen p. 21.
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Euskadi and Spain demonstrates the link between a more developed safety net and prevention of
unemployment.
In early 2010, the Basque unemployment rate was 9.1 points lower than the Spanish average rate
(10.9% and 20% respectively), despite experiencing higher unemployment from 1978 until the early
90s.
_____________
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