The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, published by the European Commission on 6 May 2026, recognises that exclusion from the labour market is a key driver of poverty. However, it also acknowledges that having a job is no guarantee of economic security — with a significant share of people in work still at risk of poverty across the EU. The Strategy addresses both dimensions, announcing a Commission Recommendation on in-work poverty for 2027 and measures to improve the take-up of income support for those who cannot work.
Social Platform calls for a framework Directive on Adequate Minimum Income to ensure all Member States provide income support above the poverty line, and for the Quality Jobs Roadmap to promote decent work and ban precarious contracts.
While the announced measures are welcome steps, concerns remain that all instruments are non-binding — and the absence of a Minimum Income Directive leaves the adequacy gap in income support across Member States unaddressed.
Social Platform calls for housing to be recognised as a fundamental right, for strong social conditionalities on housing investments, for the Housing First model to be embedded with dedicated EU funding, and for state aid rules to be revised to enable public and community-led housing providers to meet the needs of low-income groups.
While the overall direction is welcome, all announced instruments remain non-binding, and the Strategy’s link to the next Multiannual Financial Framework is given only a cursory mention — leaving the risk that fiscal consolidation continues to crowd out crucial investment in social and affordable housing.
Find out more about this issue and discover the expertise of our network:
Response by ATD Fourth World to the European Commission’s global strategy to combat poverty.
Caritas Europa warmly welcomes the first ever EU anti-poverty strategy presented by the European Commission, marking an important step in placing the fight against poverty higher on the EU’s political agenda.
EAPN welcomes the European Commission’s commitment to eradicating poverty through the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
For ENSIE, the Strategy’s success will depend on its capacity to move from principles to implementation Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) are essential partners in this effort.
While SOLIDAR welcomes the strategy and its overall approach to poverty, it remains negatively surprised by the evident gap between the ambitions of the EPSR Action Plan target and the objective to eradicate poverty by 2050.
Eurocarers welcomes the new package of initiatives launched by the European Commission the week of 4 May to help end poverty in the EU and strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities.
EU anti-poverty strategy analysis
Explore Social Platform’s analysis and reaction to the anti-poverty strategy as a whole on our main overview page.
