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That’s the ambitious goal the European Commission is setting with the first-ever EU Strategy to Combat Poverty. For the first time, the Commission is proposing a framework to tackle the root causes of poverty in a comprehensive way — inviting citizens, experts, and organisations to shape the strategy through public consultations open until 24 October 2025.

Will this be the game-changer that turns the European Pillar of Social Rights from a set of values into real improvements in people’s lives? Or will it remain a wish list of good intentions?

A new approach to tackling poverty

This EU Anti-Poverty Strategy marks a historic moment — never before has the European Union made such a coordinated attempt to put poverty eradication at the core of its policymaking. The initiative is part of the Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), which aims to lift at least 15 million people out of poverty by the end of the decade.

The document being drafted is not just about handing out emergency aid or launching another fund. It’s about creating a long-term vision for social inclusion across the EU — a vision built into broader economic and social policies.

Vision vs. reality: can Member States deliver?

The strategy is grounded in the 20 principles of the EPSR, agreed upon by the EU institutions and Member States in 2017. These include commitments to fair wages, access to healthcare, equal opportunities in education, disability rights, and more.

However, there’s a catch: the EPSR is not legally binding. Its implementation depends on the political will of individual governments — which, in reality, is often inconsistent or selective. Even if the Commission sets clear targets and timelines, what happens if some countries simply choose not to follow through? Will the EU have any tools to hold them accountable?

Poverty is not a fringe issue

Poverty in the EU isn’t just a problem at the margins — it affects a significant portion of the population. According to Eurostat, around 95 million people in the EU are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. That’s nearly one in five EU citizens.

The most affected groups include children, older adults, people with disabilities, and migrants. In some countries, like Romania and Bulgaria, almost half of all children live in poverty — a shocking figure in the 21st-century Europe.

So far, EU efforts have mostly focused on promoting employment rather than directly addressing poverty. Instruments like the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) or REACT-EU (in response to the COVID-19 crisis) have supported recovery, but haven’t tackled the structural roots of poverty. This new strategy aims to change that.

Key questions that still need answers

For this strategy to truly make a difference, the Commission must answer three big questions:

  1. How will progress be measured?
     Will the EU rely solely on the AROPE indicator (At Risk of Poverty or Social Exclusion), or introduce new metrics that reflect modern forms of deprivation — like lack of access to the internet, digital education, or banking services?
  2. What funding will support the strategy?
     Will it depend only on existing tools like ESF+, or will the Commission link it to new funding sources — possibly tied to the Green Deal, digital transition, or recovery funds? Without a clear financial backbone, the strategy risks becoming just another empty promise.
  3. Will there be binding obligations?
     So far, social policy coordination in the EU relies on a “soft” approach known as the Open Method of Coordination. But is that enough to push Member States into action? Or should the EU introduce sanctions, budget conditionality, or at least public reporting on progress?

Political friction on the horizon?

A common EU strategy to fight poverty could also create tensions between the European institutions and Member States. Some countries may see it as overstepping EU authority, especially since social policy remains a national competence. Others may argue that the strategy doesn’t do enough to reflect differences in living costs and income levels across the Union.

Civil society organisations might also raise concerns — not because they oppose the idea, but because the plan may lack ambition. Is a target of 15 million fewer people in poverty over five years really enough when nearly 95 million are affected? Does this imply the EU is willing to accept massive, long-term poverty as a fact of life?

Final thoughts: real change or missed opportunity?

The EU’s upcoming Anti-Poverty Strategy could be a turning point — or a missed opportunity. Its success depends on political courage, solid funding, clear metrics, and real accountability. For the young generation in Europe, especially those most vulnerable, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Will this be the moment when the EU takes a stand against poverty — not just in words, but through lasting change? The answer will shape the social future of Europe for years to come.

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