Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament. Summary of the annual implementation reports for the operational programmes co-financed by the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived in 2014

The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) was created by Regulation (EU) No 223/2014, with the objective of contributing to alleviating the worst forms of poverty in the EU, such as homelessness, child poverty and food deprivation. Under the terms of the Regulation, the FEAD can be used to support the most disadvantaged groups in society, by providing food, basic consumer items such as clothing, footwear and toiletries, or by organising social inclusion activities. The FEAD can also be used to finance the collection and distribution of food donations as a measure to combat food waste.

The FEAD is being implemented in all EU Member States during the 2014-2020 programming period. It is being implemented via operational programmes, approved by the Commission. Member States can decide how to make best use of the funds by choosing to develop a food and/or basic material assistance operational programme (OP I) and/or a social inclusion of the most deprived persons operational programme (OP II). Member States also have freedom in determining the target groups, the specific types of support provided and the geographic coverage of their programmes.

While social inclusion of the most deprived is central to OP II, it is also an essential part of OP I. The provision of material assistance must be complemented by accompanying measures designed to promote the social inclusion of the end recipients (e.g. referring them to the appropriate services, offering guidance on a balanced diet and providing advice on budget management). OP I thus responds to the basic material needs of the most disadvantaged and also helps them make a step towards reintegration into society.

Member States cooperate with partner organisations to implement the FEAD programmes. These organisations, which can be public bodies or non-profit organisations, provide the material assistance (OP I) or set up and run the social inclusion measures (OP II), as described in the programmes. This cooperation means that the Fund is also supporting capacity building within the partner organisations in the area of social policy.

The monitoring arrangements for the Fund specify that Member States must send a report on the implementation of their programmes to the Commission each year, by 30 June of the following calendar year. The Commission assesses the implementation reports and, if necessary, asks the Member State concerned to make changes. The Commission is also required to present a summary of the reports submitted by Member States to the European Parliament and the Council in due course.

This summary reflects the information contained in the implementation reports for the year 2014, in the form in which they were accepted by the Commission. It gives a general overview of developments relating to the FEAD at EU level, and presents the information provided by Member States, following the structure of the reports.

ESO: Background information: The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). Breaking the vicious circle of poverty and deprivation http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-fund-for-european-aid-to-the-most-deprived-fead-breaking-the-vicious-circle-of-poverty-and-deprivation/

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