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CDR3048-2013_02_00_TRA_TCD

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EU local and regional authorities contributing to the
mid-term review of Europe 2020

Assessment of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion flagship initiative

Over two years after its launch, the Committee of the Regions will take stock of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion flagship initiative at a conference to be held on 29 May 2013 in Brussels. This conference will be the fourth in a series of CoR events and monitoring initiatives surrounding the mid-term review of Europe 2020 in 2014. More news on this conference can be found on the CoR website[1].

By participating in this survey, you will:

  • ensure that your views are taken into account in the debate held during the conference;
  • contribute to the fourth CoR Monitoring Report on Europe 2020, to be published in October 2013;
  • contribute to CoR consultative activity in this field over the coming months;
  • contribute to the mid-term review of Europe 2020 in 2014.

If you wish to participate in this survey, Please complete this questionnaire in any eu language, using the spaces provided, and return it in text format to:

by 22 April 2013

For more information on this survey and for details on how to join the

Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform, go to:

The questionnaire is available on this website in all official languages of the EU

Contributor information[2]

Name of sender: / Doc. Ing. Milan Belica, PhD.
Contact details: (address, telephone, email) / Rázusova 2A, 949 01 Nitra
On behalf of:
(name of local or regional authority) / Nitra Self-governing Region
Type of organisation / Town/village
Association of local and/or regional authorities
Nitra Self-governing Region
Country: / Slovakia
Member of the EUROPE 2020 Monitoring Platform: / Yes No

Policy challenges and responses at regional and local level

BOX 1 – European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion: basic information
This is the first time ever that the objective of reducing poverty has been identified as a quantitative target under an EU strategy. The aim of the Europe 2020 flagship initiative, the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, is "to ensure economic, social and territorial cohesion in order to raise awareness and recognise the fundamental rights of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion, enabling them to live in dignity and take an active part in society"[3] . In particular, it outlines actions to help Member States reach the EU target of reducing poverty and social exclusion by at least 20 million by the year 2020[4].
Although the average at-risk-of-poverty-and-social-exclusion rate in the EU has remained relatively stable in recent years, it varies significantly among different age groups and between the Member States. It has significantly increased in a number of countries[5] over the last three to four years: while the rate is under 20% in certain Member States such as Denmark, Germany and Luxembourg, it recently increased to 47% in Bulgaria, 40% in Latvia and 31% in Greece (2011). Furthermore, considerable differences exist between different regions in the Member States[6].
Today, the inhabitants of around one fifth of the EU's regions are particularly exposed to risks of poverty and social exclusion.
The European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion feeds into the Europe 2020 objective of inclusive growth along with the Agenda for New Skills and Jobs flagship initiative. It will also help to achieve the other objectives of smart growth (alongside the Youth on the Move flagship initiative). In particular, it contributes to the objective of achieving the Europe 2020 headline target to lift at least 20million people out of the risk of poverty and social exclusion.
The main objectives and lines of action of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion are highlighted in Box 2 below.
EU regional and local governments are responsible for about one fifth of total government expenditure for social protection and services and therefore play an important role in helping to achieve the objectives of the flagship initiative[7].
You can find more information on the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, as seen from the local and regional authorities' viewpoint, on the European Commission's Europe 2020 portal[8] and in the Committee of the Regions' publication Delivering on the Europe 2020 Strategy.Handbook for Local and Regional Authorities[9].General information on Europe 2020 can be found on the strategy's official website[10] and on the website of DG Employment[11].
1)What are the main challenges currently facing your region/city in terms of (i) preventing child poverty (ii) providing decent housing conditions and (iii) combating the social exclusion of vulnerable groups?
In both 2012 and 2013 Nitra region allocated EUR 30 000 from its budget for social programmes. These are targeted at maintaining families and jobs and ensuring housing. The main aims of the projects to tackle this challenge are: getting couples and families back together, helping families, children and young people in crisis situations, eradicating anti-social behaviour in children and pupils, exercising a beneficial influence on marginalised groups, eliminating tension between minority and majority populations, giving families a space to help them get back on their feet, help in finding work, keeping families functioning as best as possible, e.g. helping them materially, counselling, etc.
Improving the education and job prospects of parents: poverty mainly threatens children of poorly educated parents who become dependent on welfare when they lose their job. The chances of finding a job are lower in marginalised groups (not just Roma) and those with behavioural problems who rely only on handouts. This benefits culture in the family also influences the children.
One particular problem is that of single mothers looking after children or families where a disabled child is involved.
Another vulnerable group are old people on meagre pensions.
The deteriorating socio-economic situation is making more people dependent on public social services provided by the region or local authorities and in institutions run by private providers (e.g., old people's homes, halfway houses, sheltered housing, emergency housing, refuges, night shelters, "low-threshold" (low coercion) day centres, crisis centres, temporary childcare facilities, nursing and transportation services, canteens, laundries, day psychiatric centres, counselling, etc. The challenge for the region at present is to turn large social service facilities into small-capacity ones.
2)Please briefly describe what type of policy programmes/actions are being implemented in your city/region in the policy areas covered by the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, highlighting their specific contribution to the above targets (see Box 1).
  1. Nitra Self-governing Region Plan for Economic and Social Development 2012–2018
Priority II – Human resources, Specific goal 2: Social development
Measures:
2.1 Ensuring availability and flexibility of social services and deinstitutionalising and humanising them.
2.2 Ensuring accessibility and flexibility of health care
2.3 Supporting cultural, sport and social life in the region
2.4 Reducing anti-social behaviour.
  1. Nitra region social services development plan
  2. Call for social programmes targeted at accredited organisations providing social support and counselling to groups at risk

3)Are any of the policy programmes/actions described in the above question carried out in partnership with different tiers of government and/or with other stakeholders (regional or local NGOs, representatives of the social partners, the business sector or service providers).If yes, please state (a) the administrative levels involved (b) the practical arrangements taken to manage such joint action (c) who the main partners were and (d) how you worked with them (work organisation and time).
Social programmes and the social services development plan are carried out in collaboration with local and regional organisations and with central government, with the labour, social affairs and the family offices, with public and private social services providers and organisations offering legal and social protection and care to children and, not least, with volunteers.
4)Ensuring effective access to and participation in cultural activities for all is an essential part of promoting an inclusive society.In what way can participation in cultural and creative activities be instrumental for helping people and communities overcome poverty and social exclusion?Please refer to specific examples and existing initiatives.
Social services facilities run by Nitra region regularly host cultural and sports events organised by the region's social affairs and health department or by the facilities themselves.Volunteers often help to organise these events.The most important events held under the auspices of the president of the region are: OSKAR – a drama show by social services facilities; MLOK – a sports event; DOMOV BAVÍ DOMOV – event held as part of the respecting the elderly month and linked with a day to express gratitude to sponsors. Social services facilities also put on smaller events at Christmas, Easter and so on, as well as various cultural events, excursions. They also have a variety of hobby groups such as choirs and theatre and handicrafts groups, organised by volunteers as well as staff. Local inhabitants also get involved and organise various cultural and sports events together with those living in the facilities and communities.

How is the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion relevant to your city or region?

BOX 2 - European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion: main objectives and actions
The specific objectives of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion are[12][13]
  • to support the eradication of child poverty.Over 20 million children are at risk of poverty in Europe today. This risk rises to 25% for children who live in large families and is over 30% in the case of children who live in single parent families;
  • to promote the active inclusion in society and on the labour market of the most vulnerable groups since unemployment is the principal cause of poverty among the working-age population. The risk of poverty for the unemployed is more than five times greater than in the case of people in employment;
  • to provide decent housing for everyone. Homelessness and housing exclusion represent one of the most extreme forms of poverty and have increased in recent years. Fuel poverty, which risks depriving households not only of heating or air conditioning but also hot water, light and other essential domestic necessities, is another example of severe deprivation;
  • to overcome discrimination and increase the social integration of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, immigrants and other vulnerable groups. For example, older people face a higher risk of poverty compared to the overall population; moreover, in some countries older people are at particular risk of material deprivation;
  • to tackle financial exclusion and over-indebtedness which arise from a lack of access to basic banking services, a situation which has been aggravated by the recent crisis. It can also be an obstacle to finding a job and thus lead to persistent marginalisation and poverty;
  • to promote the integration of Roma.Certain ethnic minorities, of whom Roma are the largest group, and migrant people in general, are disproportionately affected by multiple deprivations.
The specific actions and tools at EU level are structured as follows[14][15]
  • improved access to work, social security, essential services (healthcare, housing, etc.) and education;
  • better use of EU funds to support social inclusion and combat discrimination;
  • social innovation to identify smart solutions in post-crisis Europe, especially in terms of more effective and efficient social support;
  • new partnerships such as those between the public and the private sector;
  • enhanced policy coordination among the Member States;
  • provision of food to the most deprived people, as well as clothing and other essential goods to homeless people and materially-deprived children[16].

5)Which of the objectives and lines of action of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion (listed in Box 2) are most relevant for the current situation in your region/city?To what extent have they encouraged you to set more ambitious policy goals at regional/local level?Please explain your answer.
We try with our social programme tenders to:
-contribute to eradicating child poverty with counselling and by supporting families
-give parents help to get into work and hold down a job
-provide counselling in a crisis and help families at risk to find accommodation
-and provide legal assistance.
Nitra region's social services clients receive a contribution of 60% (up to 100% for those without income) for eligible expenses.
Our aim is to improve the quality of social services provision. One social services facility is involved in the process of transforming social services with the help of the ESF. Some social services facilities are taking their own steps to gradually move from an institutional to a community care basis.
In the new programming period regional and local authorities are seeking to put people at the centre of an integrated approach in the 2014–2020 regional operational programme, in which they have space for programmes. They are committed to an integrated intervention in the region to meet thematic objective 9 of the Europe 2020 strategy – Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty. Key activities to meet this guideline in collaboration with socio-economic partners and national administration are focused mainly on:
  • an integrated approach to active inclusion that combines a range of measures, individualised support, counselling, mentoring, access to general education and vocational training, and access to health and social services (ESF);
  • improved access to affordable, sustainable and good quality services, including healthcare and social services through investment in the health and social care infrastructure (ERDF, ESF);
  • targeted education and care services in early childhood, including holistic approaches combining childcare, education, healthcare and family support geared especially to avoiding children being taken into care (ESF);
  • support for the transition from institutional to community care that broadens access to independence within the community, with good quality services through infrastructure investment (ERDF, ESF);
  • modernisation of small-capacity facilities for those whose disability is so severe that they require all-day professional care; a network of transformed small-capacity facilities that provide intensive social and healthcare for the severely disabled for which other kinds of service are neither suitable nor effective (in the competence of the region – ERDF);
  • laying the foundations for nursing, rehabilitation and recreation in small-capacity social services facilities and building up staff capacities for this (ERDF, ESF);
  • support for the physical, economic and social regeneration of neglected local and village communities and areas (ERDF), including support for integrated plans in which social housing is backed up in particular by measures in the sphere of education, employment and health, including sports facilities for locals;
  • improving the quality of life, increasing attractiveness and diluting the geographical concentration of poverty in regions in order to achieve an overall improvement of the environment at risk of poverty and social exclusion (ERDF).
Under its goals at regional level, Nitra region also supports local development strategies (LEADER) by which investment is channelled into setting up, improving and extending basic local services for the rural population in order to improve the quality of life in rural settlements and make them more attractive (EAFRD and Nitra region own resources).

BOX 3 – Social Investment Package[17] [18]:

The Social Investment Package (SIP) aims to give guidance to Member States on more efficient and effective social policies in response to the significant challenges they currently face such as financial distress, increasing poverty and social exclusion,unemployment, especially among young people. These are combined with the challenge of ageing societies and smaller working age populations, which test the sustainability and adequacy of national social systems.

The Social Investment Package includes a Commission recommendation against child poverty, calling for an integrated approach to child-friendly social investment. Investing in children and young people is especially effective in breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and social exclusion and improving people's opportunities later in life.

The Social Investment Package is an integrated policy framework which takes account of the social, economic and budgetary divergences between Member States. It focuses on:

  1. Ensuring that social protection systems respond to people's needs at critical moments throughout their lives. More needs to be done to reduce the risk of social breakdown and so avoid higher social spending in the future.
  1. Simplified and better targeted social policies, to provide adequate and sustainable social protection systems. Some countries have better social outcomes than others despite having similar or lower budgets, demonstrating that there is room for more efficient social policy spending.
  1. Upgrading active inclusion strategies in the Member States. Affordable quality childcare and education, prevention of early school leaving, training and job-search assistance, housing support and accessible health care are all policy areas with a strong social investment dimension.

6)How relevant is the new Social Investment Package adopted by the European Commission on 13February 2013 (Box 3) for your local/regional policies?Has it encouraged or helped you to set more ambitious policy goals at regional/local level?Please explain your answer.
Supporting effective counselling to at-risk groups and families through social programmes to help them keep the family going and together.
The philosophy behind the Social Investment Package helps local and regional authorities refine their concept of support within the 2014–2020 Common Strategic Framework. The regional authority endorses the integrated framework for investment priorities and specific targets which are currently being worked out in the proposed integrated regional operational programme with the implementation mechanism of integrated territorial strategies at NUTS 3 level.
7)What are the strong and weak points of the EU's policies addressing poverty and social exclusion?Were they sufficient in view of the challenges you are facing in this area?If not, would you recommend making any specific changes to the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion flagship initiative after the mid-term review of Europe 2020 in 2014, especially with regard to local and regional authority involvement?
We consider as strong points in combating poverty and social exclusion the great expertise of the professionals involved in working directly with families in crisis and in adverse social circumstances; the lack of funding in this domain is a weak point.

Are your country's policies relevant to your city or region?