Profile

« EAPN's work highlights the importance of legally-based rights to the achievement of social inclusion. It demonstrates the value of collaboration to achieve important steps in the fight against poverty and illustrates the vital role NGOs can play in promoting human rights. »

Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Since 1990, EAPN has been an independent network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and groups involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion in the Member States of the European Union.

EAPN is a network of:

• 24 national networks of voluntary organisations and grassroots groups active in the fight against poverty within each member state of the EU - see profiles of EAPN national networks.
• European organisations whose main activities are related to the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

EAPN has consultative status with the Council of Europe, and is a founding member of the Platform of European Social NGOs.

Core objectives

• to put the fight against poverty and social exclusion on the political agenda of the European Union;
• to promote and enhance the effectiveness of actions against poverty and social exclusion;
• to lobby for and with people and groups facing poverty and social exclusion.

EAPN includes the objectives of gender equality and anti-racism in all its areas of work.

Activities

Advocacy
EAPN is one of the main partners of the European institutions on the European strategy to combat social exclusion. It lobbies for the integration of the fight against poverty and social exclusion into all Community policies, ranging from Structural Funds and employment policies through to economic and monetary policies.

EAPN builds alliances with relevant actors to create a stronger voice in favour of social inclusion.

Analysis
EAPN keeps under close review Community policies and programmes likely to impact on groups facing poverty and social exclusion. The network also develops links with the research sector in order to enhance knowledge of poverty and social exclusion within the EU.

EAPN develops proposals to influence the Community institutions.

Information
The web site www.eapn.org is the reference portal on poverty and social exclusion in Europe. A newsletter “Network News” and a bimonthly news sheet “EAPN Flash” provide information on EAPN and EU policy/events, and on Community programmes and initiatives of interest to EAPN members.

EAPN also produces a range of materials on poverty, social inclusion, employment, social protection, the Structural Funds, the future of Europe, etc.

Exchange
EAPN sets up task forces and hosts transnational seminars. It is also a forum for exchange of information on national policies for social inclusion. It facilitates partnership building among its members and beyond, and liaises with NGOs in the candidate countries.

Training
EAPN provides training for its members on networking and European policies.