Homelessness is a problem across Europe

The European Union is one of the wealthiest parts of the world, yet for a considerable number of the population, life is a daily battle just to make ends meet. Poverty across Europe may not be as noticeable as it is on some continents, but it is still utterly unacceptable and has only increased since the onset of the most gripping worldwide recession of a generation. And, when you add to the equation escalating food and fuel costs, a lack of affordable housing and rising unemployment, it is no wonder many households across Europe are struggling on a daily basis.

The ‘European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion’ was officially launched in Madrid on January 21st at a high-level conference organised by the Spanish EU presidency and the European Commission. With 17% of the EU population without everyday basics, Brussels is asking all areas of society to help fight poverty and social exclusion this year. (The term ‘social exclusion’ covers the practices which push people to the edge of society, cuts their access to opportunities, limits their participation in normal life, which leaves them feeling deprived, vulnerable, powerless and, more often than not, discriminated against).

Across the EU, people are classed as poor if their income is below 60% of the average wage in their home country. Using this definition, nearly 80 million Europeans are living on or below the poverty line – and this is more than 15% of the population. Almost 19 million European children are exposed to the risks of poverty, one citizen in ten lives in a household where no one has a job, and for 8% of Europeans having a job is just not enough to get away from the reality of being poor.

Many Europeans lack access to basic facilities

Young Europeans in their late teens and early twenties are in truth at a higher risk of poverty than all other groups (except children and the elderly) but the risk falls in their late twenties. Poverty rates among 20 to 24-year-olds are 8% in Austria, 20% in the UK, and up to 30% in Finland (compared with 11% for the whole population). The most important predictor of a young person being poor is whether they still live with a parent, as leaving home brings a higher risk of poverty – one that’s particularly high in the first year of fleeing the nest.

And what about child poverty? In the UK, the failure is not for lack of ambition. In 1999, Tony Blair’s government pledged to wipe out child poverty by 2020. A little progress was made, but it’s obvious the government has missed its 2010 target of halving child poverty and will fail to meet the 2020 target without swift action. In fact, the European parliament as a whole signed up to the fight against poverty a year later when Heads of State and governments vowed to make ‘a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty’ by the year 2010. Considerable efforts were made through a host of Europe-wide schemes, including employment initiatives, but it just wasn’t enough and a large part of the European population still struggle to stay out of the breadline. So what is the EU hoping to achieve now – a decade later?

The official EU line states that the situation is not hopeless and asks all European citizens to fight the grip of poverty together. We’re told poverty and exclusion of one person amounts to poverty as a whole for society – therefore Europe can only be strong if each individual’s potential is realised. The aim of this year is to rally both civil society and non-governmental organisations to alleviate poverty and boost solidarity between generations; to give a voice to the needs of people experiencing poverty and help breakdown the stigmas attached to being poor. Political commitment from governments to local level authorities is also needed to help develop equal opportunities and sustainable development in our communities. And, officially, the campaign year has allocated a budget of at least 26 million Euros.

We all need to work together to end child poverty

Among the activities planned for this year include a meeting bringing together people living in poverty across Europe in May and a roundtable discussion in October, because only by stimulating debate can change come about. Twenty nine countries participating will have their own programme of ‘awareness’ campaigns, conferences and cultural activities designed to address specific problems. These programmes were devised with organisations representing the interests of those who experience poverty and social exclusion, together with regional and local authorities. The European Commission has also promised a vast information and public-awareness campaign, alongside publishing surveys, studies, and organising competitions to bring about discussion at European and local levels. To show support, we can all also sign an online commitment on the official website.

Whether it’s all words and little action, or a genuine committed step towards eradicating poverty, only time will ultimately tell, but perhaps the European Year Of Poverty campaign will be the vehicle needed for all Europeans to tackle the hard fight against poverty and turn well-meaning ideals and ambitions into a reality for our communities.