Brussels, 13/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) called on Tuesday 13 March for member states to give their support to the European Commission proposal that 20% of the European social fund (ESF) be ring-fenced for social inclusion and tackling poverty. The call comes in a letter from the EAPN to EU member states' directors general in charge of cohesion policy in advance of their meeting on 13-14 March at which they will discuss the legislative package proposed by the Commission on cohesion policy from 2014 to 2020. “The ESF's potential for contributing to the EU poverty-reduction target is currently under threat, as some member states are expressing reservations with regard to the introduction of the proposed 20% ring-fencing for social inclusion”, the Network says in a press release.
The EAPN is very much against macro-economic conditionality, which is seen a double punishment, but is in favour of social conditionality and incentive mechanisms. (LC/transl.rt)