EU Policy Update September 2018

1. 7a EU Policy Update September 2018 Sian Jones Policy Coordinator European Anti-Poverty Network www.eapn.eu www.eapn.eu

2. 7a Outline • The Context • State of the Union • EPSR – Latest Developments • EAPN Action and Next Steps • Post 2020 scoping note and discussion

3. 7a The Context • ELECTIONS: Sweden-September (shift to right), Bavaria (Merkel weakened in Coalition). • BREXIT: Salzburg Summit on Chequers deal - no progress.Main blocks: N. Ireland, pressure in UK for ‘people’s vote’ on final deal. • GREXIT: Agreement on debt, but ECB & IMF still pushing for austerity to ‘secure gains’ • AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY: ‘A Europe that protects..meaning security/migration, EPSCO cancelled in October because of ‘lack of topics’. • MIGRATION: Summit focus on strengthening external borders, border controls, repatriation of ‘illegal migants’, progress on Dublin. • EU BUDGET: Major challenges to progress on MFF before EP Elections – MS refusing to increase contributions (AT, DK, SE, NL, DE, FI). • FUTURE OF EUROPE: Juncker wants progress on deepening of EMU – wants declaration at Sibiu debate - 9 May 2019 • THE FUTURE: Brexit, Migration, Security and EU budget dominate, impacting on Future of Europe. Waiting for newCommission/Parliament (elections May 2019)…

4. 7a State of the UnionHour of European Sovereignty • Call for a Strong and United Europe – urging agreement on security, defence and migration and post Brexit. • Europe as a ‘Guardian of Peace’ – rejecting divisive ‘patriotism that projects hate’. • Congratulatory on EU progress – on growth, employment, youth unemployment but no mention of high levels of poverty and inequality • Getting implementation – wants progress on main initiatives including tax action on multinationales, only new initiative avoiding clock changes (Daylight saving time). • Future of Europe at stake! Call for progress, including MFF before EP elections. • Social Dimension supported but not explicitly Social Pillar – No concrete proposals. • The social dimension should no longer be given the “Cinderella treatment but should instead be geared towards the future. (p.6) • European Union to take better care of its social dimension. Those that ignore the legitimate concerns of workers and small businesses undermine European unity. It is time we turned the good intentions that we proclaimed at the Gothenburg Social Summit into law. (p.12

5. 7a European Pillar on Social Rights – Latest Developments • 27 June: Bulgarian Presidency EPSCO: High level conference – EPSR: Working Together for results – Tripartite with Social Platform representing NGOs • Implementation is underway: mainly by mainstreaming the Pillar (Social Scoreboard) through the European Semester, and through the MFF • Commission clear that MS and stakeholders have primary responsibility now for implementation. Recognized insufficient in 2018 Semester but ‘work in progress’ – intention will be to achieve stronger results in 2019 • Major challenges to progress with legislative proposals from MS – work/life balance and transparency directive. • Access to Social Protection Council Recommendation delayed to Austrian Presidency, in hands of Social Questions Working Party of EPSCO but unclear milestones/process with EPSCO cancelled.. • Key issues include:definitions ie adequacy/coverage, mandatory social protection coverage of self-employed, over ambitious deadlines for implementation/reporting .

6. 7a EAPN Action and Next Steps: EU joint action! Sept-Dec 2018 • 5 July - EAPN Policy Conference: on Access to Social Protection for all • July-Dec: coordinated work with Social Platform on Recommendation on Access to Social Protection. • 27-29 September: EAPN conference – Implementing the Social Pillar/EAPN AT/Vienna • Letter/Lobbying on AGS 2019– stronger focus on Social Pillar and 20 principles • Advocacy on MFF • 29 Nov: Anniversary conference EPSR in Portugal - (Social Platform/PT Govt/EAPN PT)

7. 7a Taking Action at the National Level: Timeline Sept - Dec 2018 National level: What action are members taking? Getting confirmation! • Deliver at least 5 national events on the Social Pillar, engage with / lobby key contacts (Government, SPC, EMCO, ESOs, desk officers, other?). WHO, HOW and WHEN? • Focus on Social Pillar or 1/some of 5 principals ?: 1) Minimum Income (care with EMIN..) 2) Social Protection; 3) Access to Essential Services; 4) Fair Wages; 5) Education/ Training/Lifelong Learning. • Link it to the European Semester or EU funding What can help? • Action Notes – guidance for events and other action on the 5 principals Social Pillar (see Doc) • Branding, Funding and Reporting events • Showing how Social Pillar can make a difference (EU law, EAPN concerns) - Working in alliances, joint advocacy, as well as events • Collecting good practice • Linking SDGs and Social Pillar – joining forces/building synergies! (See Doc)

8. 7a Post 2020 Strategy – Scoping Note on Action Current State of Play • No proposal on the table – unwillingness to commit new Commission/EP • New Reflection Paper Europe moving towards a sustainable future (SDGs) (Commissioner Timmermans with Stakeholder Platform) in November. • Future of Europe – consultation and Sibiu event on 9th May 2019 • New strategy proposal by end of 2019 from new Commission? EAPN Action so far • Reflection Paper/Policy Conference: Beyond 2020 June 2017 • Future of Europe paper (EXCO) (September 2018) – proposed integrated antipoverty strategy and support to 6th scenario • Now needs a concrete proposal of what a post 2020 strategy looks like.

9. 7a Conclusions from 2017 EAPN Conference “Beyond 2020” • The EU needs an explicit, rights-based integrated anti-poverty strategy based on participation and backed by EU funding • The post Europe 2020 agenda must build on Europe 2020 targets and deliver an ambitious social, sustainable and democratic vision for Europe! Underpinned by Agenda 2030 and SDGs. • The European Pillar of Social Rights must be seized as an opportunity, but will need concrete implementation, and key role for civil society. • Support for Future of Europe depends on an ambitious 6th Scenario, capable of winning back trust in the EU Future of Europe Position paper (Sept 2017) • Proposals for antipoverty strategy and support for 6th Scenario based on Agenda 2030 and SDGs

10. 7a Post 2020 Strategy – Proposal for Action • AIM • Achieve a post 2020 strategy which promotes social and sustainable development in line with SDGs and Social Pillar, building on Europe 2020 targets. • ACTION • Position paper developed by working group, agreed with EXCO and EO’s • EU Policy Conference to launch proposal and debate with decision-makers • Follow up advocacy action plan at national and EU level • TIMELINE • Finalize Position Paper: January to April, discussions in EUISG and EXCO • Policy Conference : June/July • Advocacy Action Plan: June-Dec

11. 7a Post 2020 Strategy – Key Questions for Discussion • Vision and Goals: Social and Sustainable underpinned by SDGs? How to include the Social Pillar and ensure priority to poverty? • Instruments: How can we build on the poverty target? Should AROPE indicators remain? New Target? • Process: Should the Semester be the main process for monitoring and delivery? How to make it more effective? • Governance and Participation: How should NGOs and people in poverty be involved in design, delivery and monitoring? • Poverty policy proposals: How to ensure that our proposals for an integrated antipoverty strategy get a strong focus?

12. 7a Thank you for your attention! For more information, please contact Sian Jones EAPN Policy Coordinator sian.jones@eapn.eu