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Section 3: EU Policy Developments

3.7 Social inclusion and effective social protection that must be com-
bined with a broad set of social policies including
3.7.1 Key developments targeted education and training.

In 2008, more than 80 million people across the EU European Social Fund
lived below the poverty line. Over 20 million chil-
dren are at risk of poverty in Europe. This situation Among the EU’s financial instruments, the European
has been worsened by the economic crisis. Social Fund (ESF) is the key financial tool for sup-
Combating social exclusion, and promoting social porting employment and social inclusion.
justice and fundamental rights, are core objectives of The ESF will be adjusted to the new framework of
the European Union. Europe 2020 to fully play its role in ensuring the right
The EC Communication in 2008 on the active skills for jobs and in reducing poverty.
inclusion of people excluded from the labour market The proposal for the Regulation was adopted by
promoted the concept of ‘active inclusion’, in partic- the European Commission on 6 October 2011, fol-
ular for unemployed people, contending that those lowing a series of consultations. ESF will support the
most excluded from work need more personalised achievement of the headline targets of Europe 2020
pathways to employment. and the policies to be implemented by the member-
A set of common principles have been agreed to states under the Employment Guidelines. It should
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help people to gain access to the labour market. The also contribute to the implementation of the flagship
principles address the need for integrated strategies initiatives. The draft ESF Regulation for 2014-20 pro-
combining well-designed income support schemes, poses to target the ESF on four ‘thematic objectives’:
inclusive labour markets and adequate social services.
• promoting employment and labour mobility;
European Platform against Poverty and Social • investing in education, skills and lifelong learn-
Exclusion ing;
• promoting social inclusion;
Policy
In 2010, the Europe 2020 Strategy proposed to estab- • combating poverty.
lish a European Platform against Poverty and Social
Exclusion (a European framework for social and ter- This proposal is being discussed by the Council and
ritorial cohesion), as one of its seven flagship initia- the European Parliament, with a view to adoption
tives for action to serve that goal. The Platform aims by the end of 2012, to allow for the start of a new
at creating a joint commitment among the member- generation of cohesion policy programmes in 2014.
states, EU institutions and key stakeholders to fight Negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Frame-
poverty and social exclusion. work for the whole EU budget will continue in
The Platform sets a dynamic framework for action. parallel. The Commission has already proposed to
The fight against poverty and exclusion needs to rely allocate €336 billion for cohesion policy instru-
on growth and employment as well as on modern ments in 2014–20.

3.7.2 Involvement of ELGPN

13 Commission Recommendation on the active inclusion of people ELGPN has not been involved in the the design of
excluded from the labour market (2008/867/EC), including common social inclusion policies. But the concept of active
principles endorsed by the Council to combat poverty more effectively
(17 December 2008). inclusion necessarily includes provision of lifelong

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