It is simple, it is about Dignity!

Posted on 23/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

“Minimum Income as a building block to the right to a life in dignity. If there is no Minimum Income what hope is there for Europe?” these were the remarks of Hugh Frazer, Independent expert on Social inclusion, in his closing remarks at the recent EMIN European Conference.

The real opposition to adequate incomes for all is not lack of resources but is the dominance of competition as a value underpinning our political discourse and decision making for too long now. This is undermining cohesion and solidarity and has an enormous negative cost for European societies. I hope we collective remember what a treasure our ‘social security systems’ are, perhaps Europe’s finest achievement, even while we struggle to make them fit for the form of globalisation we are living through in this time.

It is true that as well as being simple comprehensive Minimum Income Schemes are also complex and change should be developed carefully. The national work of EMIN is preparing the ground for the needed positive changes as shown in the latest reports available from

EMIN Ireland (En) –

EMIN Finland (En)

EMIN Finland (Fin)

EMIN-FYROM Macedonia (En)

EMIN-Portugal (EN)

PRESS | New momentum for action on Adequate Minimum Income Schemes

Posted on 11/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

Brussels, 11 December 2014 – Delegates at the EU-level Conference held in Brussels today on ‘Minimum Income Schemes in Europe’ heard a very different story to the populist story of lazy people who cheat the welfare system. The figures given at the Conference on the non-take-up of minimum income assistance ranging from 20% to as much as 75%, are way and above those of over-take-up that receives much more policy and media attention. Continue reading →

Minimum Income Schemes in Serbia, Poland, Austria and Estonia

Posted on 10/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

Serbia, Poland, Austria and Estonia have all prepared National Reports under the EMIN project. In these Reports you can read about the latest developments in relation to Minimum Income Schemes in each country as well as assessments of the schemes in relation to their adequacy, coverage and take-up, and the link to accessible services and inclusive employment (in line with he EU Active Inclusion Recommendation). You will also find proposals to develop adequate and accessible Minimum Income Schemes.

EMIN Major EU Final Conference – Building Consensus for adequate minimum income schemes

Posted on 09/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

This Thursday 11 December from 13.30 till 18.00, the EMIN will hold its Final EU-level Conference on minimum income schemes, building on 30 national conferences throughout Europe and presenting the outcome of the work of the EMIN, with the contribution of other key actors, on how to build momentum for adequate Minimum Income Schemes. Continue reading →

13 Spanish MEP address Mr Juncker on his promises on Minimum Income

Posted on 08/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

04/12/2014 – 13 Spanish MEP sent a joint letter to President of the European Commission Mr Juncker on Minimum Income and presented a parliamentary question, asking Mr. Juncker to comply with his promises on this matter. Continue reading →

Minimum Income Schemes in Denmark, Cyprus and Lithuania, Read 3 National Reports!

Posted on 05/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

Denmark, Cyprus and Lithuania have all prepared National Reports under the EMIN project. In these Reports you can read about the latest developments in relation to Minimum Income Schemes in each country as well as assessments of the schemes in relation to their adequacy, coverage and take-up, and the link to accessible services and inclusive employment (in line with he EU Active Inclusion Recommendation).

Continue reading →

What is an adequate Minimum Income?

Posted on 04/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

The Report done by AGE Platform Europe addressed this question from the perspective of adequacy of minimum income protection for older people from a participatory point of view. Older people in the three countries (Ireland, France and Poland) were actively involved in discussing what an adequate minimum income should entail to enable full social participation of older people. The study indicates the same definition of social participation across the three pilot countries. In addition, many commonalities were observed in the identification of essential goods and services. This was also the case with the respective underlying needs identified in the three countries as being necessary for full social participation. Despite these commonalities, significant differences were observed regarding the adequacy of old-age minimum income protection and the validity of the 60% poverty line in the respective national contexts.

Read the full report EMIN-2014-Adequacy-Older-People-En

Non-Take-Up of Minimum Income Schemes is a real problem

Posted on 02/12/2014 by EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)

While much has been made in the media of the issue of over-take-up (or fraud) in relation to benefit schemes, little has been heard about the question of non-take-up. This is all the more surprising since conservative estimates show rates of above 40% of non-take-up for most categories of social benefits. This shows a very different picture than the one so often presented by some politicians and popular media of lazy welfare recipients spending their time calculating how to get the most out of the welfare system. Two important new reports by FEANTSA and EUROFOUND try to address this reality.