In an open letter to European leaders on Wednesday 5 March, more than 65 pan-European associations and 200 national organisations called for a strong European Social Fund to honour commitments.
In this letter, EASPD, the Red Cross, Social Economy Europe, EPSU and CoFACE express their concern that the first discussions on the future European budget “suggest potential cuts to crucial social investment programmes. Proposals to merge funding mechanisms significantly risk weakening support to key actions and programmes for labour market integration, training, and social inclusion”.
Europe “needs a strong EU budget, alongside broader economic, social and environmental policies. A stand-alone Social Fund will be key to reduce inequalities, promote social innovation and achieve high employment levels, strengthening the Single Market and making Europe more competitive on a global scale”.
The associations point out that the EU is committed to lifting at least 15 million people, including at least 5 million children, out of poverty by 2030.
Link to the letter: https://aeur.eu/f/fqp (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)