The European Union seeks to reduce poverty and social exclusion within its borders primarily via a policy process called the Open Method of Coordination. To learn more about this approach, click the above title to read the Eurodiaconia briefing.

Hintergrundinformationen: Die Bekämpfung von Armut und sozialer Ausgrenzung.

EU has designated 2010 the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Read the comments of CSC and Eurodiaconia on the proposal.  

Eurodiaconia is a member of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN). Click to read EAPN's demands for the next European Parliament in English or in French.

There are concerns that EU rules regulating the funding and operation of many social sectors do not take into account the specific characteristics of social services. Read this Eurodiaconia policy briefing to learn more about what the next Parliament could do.

Hintergrundinformationen: Der Einfluss der EU-Regeln auf die Sozialpflege

For social care services, quality is essential in order for the service to achieve its goal and support the well-being of the people receiving the service. Read this Eurodiaconia briefing to learn more about how the next Parliament could support high quality and accessible social services for all.

Hintergrundinformationen: Qualität in der Sozialpflege

The EU structural funds include the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The ESF is often seen as the European Union's main financial instrument for investing in people. Read Eurodiaconia's briefing to learn how the next European Parliament could ensure more of these funds are spent to prevent poverty and promote social inclusion.

Hintergrundinformationen: Die Strukturfonds der EU

In February 2008 CSC, CCME and ECG (European Contact Group) held a conference "Employment and the Churches in Europe". It raised the concern about the increasing segmentation of the labour market, with more precarious employment situations and the growing marginalisation of specific groups such as long-term unemployed, less skilled people or people with a migration background. Click above for the conference reader.

The Lisbon Strategy (or Process) is the reform and development plan for the European Union to encourage economic growth and create jobs. It is set to expire in 2010. Read the Eurodiaconia briefing to discover how it has worked and what might take its place with the new European Parliament and Commission.

Hintergrundinformationen: Die soziale Seite der EU

European churches are pleading for a re-integration of Sunday as a weekly rest day in the revised EU Working Time Directive, which is currently being debated within the EU institutions.