1. EUISG Meeting 3-4 October 2014 Consultation Response on the Mid- Term Review. EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator

2. Consultation Response 1)Main inputs 2)Problematic Areas 3)Finalizing response and national action.

3. Summary of Consultation Response so far 1)For you, what does the Europe 2020 strategy mean? What are the main elements that you associate with the strategy? Strategy – Inclusive growth, delivering on the poverty and other social strategies. Changing reaction – as disillusionment has set in. Key elements – targets, guidelines, NRPs, CSRs – stakeholder engagement in review and development. 2) Overall, do you think that the Europe 2020 strategy has made a difference? Please explain Welcomed – for key objective/target, but has failed to deliver its potential – present our assessment But still important as agenda-setter, keeping poverty on the agenda and funding.

4. P.3 Questions Continued  Has the knowledge of what other EU countries are doing in Europe 2020 impacted on the approach followed in your country? - ?? Say MS not transparent about influence from other MS – and no info from members.  Has there been sufficient involvement in the Europe 2020 strategy? Are you involved? Would you like to be more? If yes, how? -Give summary of 2013/2014 NRP assessment. Highlighting low engagement and quality, some positive examples.NRP needs to be relevant, with meaningful engagement- structural dialogue, PEP, impact.

5.  Do the current targets respond to the strategy’s objective of fostering growth and jobs? -Highlight lack of focus on inclusive growth -Shouldn’t abandon the targets but could be improved – highlight lacks on EU target eg %, sub-targets/EMPL  Among the current targets, do you consider some are more important than others? -All important and should be treated equally -Particular concern for poverty target as lower priority.  Do you find it useful, that EU level targets are broken down in national targets, what’s best way to set targets? Ambitious enough? - Essential to have national targets, shortfalls, problem of gaming/selection – important national information!

6.  What added value of 7 action programmes for growth - EPAP, confusion with SIP/OMC – needs link to national/Europe 2020.  Adapting Europe 2020: growth strategy for a post-crisis Europe-Does the EU need a comprehensive, overarching medium term strategy?  What are the most important and relevant areas to be addressed, in order to achieve smart and sustainable growth? - Need to move forward on balanced social and economic  What new challenges should be taken into account in future? -Change in approach – economy delivers on social. Inequality 2

7.  How could the strategy best linked to other EU policies? -Highlight link to Social OMC, to feed into Europe 2020 – need for separate social space.  What would improve stakeholder engagement – Give recs from position and handbook.  What type of instruments are appropriate to achieve smart, sustainable growth? -Better working of soft tools, but need for hard – ie directives/social standards.  What would be best done at EU level to deliver results and what at national level? -EU sets objective, common indicators, guidelines, mutual learning, monitor impact, National- decide how to deliver shared strategies, engage stakeholders.

8.  How can the strategy encourage MS to put a stronger policy focus on growth? -By not insisting on austerity..  Are targets useful, please explain -Repetition of previous.  Would you recommend adding or removing certain targets, or targets in general. -Repetition of previous.  What are the most fruitful areas for joint EU- MS action? What would be the added value -?????  Do you have any other comment on the Europe 2020 strategy you would like to share  Highlight our PP – 5 key demands.

9. Discussion 1)Other Comments on key questions? 2)Inputting at national level very important? Who will do it? 3)Timetable for finalization.  Final inputs on EAPN position by 10 th October  Finalized to send by 13 th.  National members to complete by 31 st October  Send copies to EAPN for website.  Find on-line consultation here:http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/public- consultation/index_en.htm

10. EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE SQUARE DE MEEUS, 18 – 1050 BRUSSELS TEL: 0032 2 226 58 50 – FAX: 0032 2 26 58 69 www.eapn.euwww.eapn.eu - team@eapn.euteam@eapn.eu Thank you for your attention Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator sian.jones@eapn.eu www.eapn.eu SEE: EMIN: http://emin.eu.nethttp://emin.eu.net EU Alliance for a democratic, social and sustainable semester: http://semesteralliance.nethttp://semesteralliance.net