European Anti Poverty Network amplifies voices against exclusion

European Anti Poverty Network amplifies voices against exclusion | Photo: Etienne Girardet

Poverty in Europe is less visible than in other regions, yet its persistence remains one of the most pressing challenges to the continent’s social fabric. Nearly 95 million people in the European Union were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023, according to Eurostat, a reminder that prosperity is unevenly shared. Against this backdrop, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) has become a central force, bringing together national NGOs, grassroots movements and European organisations to influence policy and ensure that those who live in poverty are not excluded from the democratic conversation.

A network rooted in collaboration

Established in 1990, EAPN operates with a two-tiered structure. It brings together 31 national networks, covering EU member states as well as Norway, Iceland, Serbia and North Macedonia, alongside 13 European organisations dedicated to social inclusion. This layered framework allows the network to bridge local realities with Brussels-level policymaking, ensuring that both community voices and technical expertise are heard in the European institutions.

Mission and vision of a social Europe

EAPN’s mission is simple yet profound: to secure a Europe free from poverty and exclusion, where access to economic, social and cultural rights is guaranteed. Its activities include lobbying for better social policies, scrutinising their implementation, and publishing regular reports, such as the annual Poverty Watch. Central to its approach is the direct engagement of people experiencing poverty, most visibly through the European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty (PEP).

This participatory ethos not only strengthens advocacy but also challenges stereotypes, ensuring that decisions about welfare systems, employment policy or housing are informed by lived experience rather than detached technical frameworks.

Key campaigns and influence on EU policy

Over the years, EAPN has influenced European debates on minimum income, social investment and budgetary priorities. It supported the European Minimum Income Network (EMIN), which built momentum for stronger social safety nets across member states. It has also consistently argued for allocating European Social Fund resources to inclusion and poverty reduction, challenging the drift towards prioritising defence and security over social cohesion.

Its voice is particularly important as the EU develops long-term strategies such as the European Pillar of Social Rights, which aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 1 on ending poverty.

Funding and sustainability of action

EAPN’s main funding comes from the European Commission’s Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), supplemented by philanthropic foundations. This model ensures institutional support while retaining a measure of independence, a balance essential for effective advocacy.

The persistence of poverty in Europe is not merely an economic issue but a question of rights and dignity. EAPN’s work highlights that social inclusion requires more than redistribution: it demands recognition, participation and accountability. By connecting grassroots struggles with European policymaking, the network keeps alive the idea that Europe’s promise of prosperity must be shared by all.

Further reading on EAPN’s work and reports is available at EAPN’s official website.