1. Minimum income schemes in Europe: The EU context
MISSOC Meeting
7 June 2016, Amsterdam
Evelyn ASTOR DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Unit C1: Social Investment Strategy

2. Context in the Member States
Increased poverty and social exclusion since the crisis
Varying effectiveness of Member States' social protection systems to address poverty
The design and delivery of social assistance varies significantly Member States

3. EU Policy Context (1/2)
Europe 2020 target to reduce poverty and social exclusion by 20 million people by 2020
European Commission Recommendation on active inclusion (2008) set out common principles and practical guidelines for a comprehensive strategy based on three integrated pillars:
adequate income support
inclusive labour markets
access to quality services
Social Investment Package (2013) reiterated the importance of an active inclusion approach and within this stressed the importance of adequate minimum income support.

4. EU Policy Context (2/2)
European Pillar of Social Rights: the draft Pillar sets out key principles for adequate and sustainable social protection, including on minimum income schemes.(currently under public consultation!)
European Semester: Greater emphasis on employment and social issues, including adequacy and coverage of income support
Other activities: Commission has been supporting both the development of the European Minimum Income Network and the supporting project of European Reference Budget Network across the Member States.
CSRs: in 2016 recommendations were proposed by the COM for 9 MSs in the field of adequacy and coverage of social assistance/unemployment benefits and for 2 MSs in the field of effectiveness of social transfers. More areas, such as child poverty, in-work poverty were also covered.

5. How will this report feed into EU activities?
This report will feed into the Commission’s ongoing monitoring of Minimum Income schemes. It will feed into knowledge sharing and exchanges of good practice between Member States and stakeholders. It will contribute to the ongoing reflections for the development of a European Pillar of Social Rights.