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Social inclusion

Solidarity is a hallmark of the European Union. It is an intrinsic goal of European models of society and welfare that people should not be prevented from benefiting from and contributing to economic and social progress. Building a more inclusive Europe is vital to achieve the European Union's goals of sustained economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

In 2000, EU leaders established the Social Inclusion Process to make a decisive impact on eradicating poverty by 2010. Since then, the European Union has provided a framework for national strategy development as well as for policy coordination between the Member States on issues relating to poverty and social exclusion. Participation by actors such as NGOs, social partners and local and regional authorities has become an important part of this process.

Action at European level had an impact in various ways. Integrating plans to combat poverty into national policies increased political awareness of poverty and exclusion and placed it higher on national political agendas.

It encouraged Member States to critically examine their policies. It highlighted how countries perform well in certain areas, spurring on other Member States to perform better. It also created a better basis for policy making by involving a range of actors such as NGOs, social partners, local and regional authorities and those working with people in poverty.

In the field of social inclusion, EU action has finally created a clear consensus about the following key challenges:

  • to eradicate child poverty by breaking the vicious circle of intergenerational inheritance;
  • to make labour markets truly inclusive;
  • ensure decent housing for everyone;
  • to overcome discrimination and increase the integration of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and immigrants;
  • to tackle financial exclusion and overindebtedness.
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