The 2006-8 National strategy reports on social protection and social inclusion: What do they deliver for people in poverty?

This report presents EAPN’s impressions of the impact of the streamlined process on the fight against poverty. The central focus of this report is on the NAPs/incl integrated in the National Reports.

The report has three parts:

1. EAPN’s views on the policy content of the Inclusion chapters of the National Reports.

2. EAPN’s views on developments in governance.

3. EAPN’s key messages and proposals for strengthening the streamlined Open Method of Coordination (OMC) that is the framework for the National Reports.

From its launch in 2000, the EU social inclusion strategy has been a key concern of EAPN. EAPN members at national and European level have been active in supporting and working within the context of the strategy. EAPN has produced key reports evaluating the National Action Plans on social inclusion (NAPs/incl).

After five years (2001-2006) the strategy has been ‘streamlined’ at European level so that the social inclusion, pensions and health strategies are now integrated as three parts of a single National Strategy Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion (hereafter referred to as the National Reports). Streamlined reports were submitted this year for the period 2006-2008. At national level some Member States have retained distinct NAPs/incl and some not. In either case, national EAPN networks have actively participated in the national processes.

EAPN: Publications http://www.eapn.eu/content/view/6/31/lang,en/

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