The International Day Against Poverty is an opportunity for all to renew and recall our commitment to the fight against poverty. Eurodiaconia is a network of 58 organisations founded in the Christian faith, fighting poverty and promoting social justice in 33 countries across Europe and representing over 30 000 health and social service providers. With over 1 million employees working in diaconia and more than that volunteering, as well as millions more using our services.
On this day, we wish to underscore our organization’s vision, driven by our Christian faith, of a Europe where each person is valued for their inherent God-given worth and dignity and where our societies guarantee social justice for all people, including the most vulnerable and marginalized.
We understand that poverty is not a solitary issue; rather, it is an intricate web of circumstances and structural factors that require comprehensive solutions. We are in particular alarmed by the following:
- The cost-of-living crisis has increased the pressure on lowest-income groups and is putting a rising number of persons at risk of poverty. Families, especially single parents and large families, are among those struggling most, which has led to a significant increase in child poverty. Furthermore, housing exclusion and homelessness are increasing due, amongst other things, to a shortage of affordable and adequate housing.
- The increasing pressure is also affecting social and care services across Europe. Our members continue to report difficulties in operating their services, due to financing constraints and the acute skills shortage, which reduces the availability of quality social and care services to those most in need of them.
According to the European Parliament Eurobarometer Spring 2023 survey[1], EU citizens believe the fight against poverty and social exclusion should be the top priority to be address by the European Parliament. In this context, we call on the European Commission and European election candidates, to demonstrate their commitment to making the fight against poverty a top political priority in the next European Commission mandate, through the pursuing of socially just policies that truly put people at the centre, such as fair wages, adequate minimum income schemes, accessible and quality social services, strong social safety nets for all and a fair environmental transition.
On this day, we want to highlight the work of our member Kerk in Actie, a Dutch organisation that collaborates and cooperates with other organisations and churches across the world to work with and for people in vulnerable conditions. One of their projects is SchuldHulpMaatje, which helps people with (impending) debts at an early stage and offers help via internet and with trained volunteers, who can help in a professional and personal way towards a life without debt.
SchuldHulpMaatje’s work is especially relevant in the context of the cost-of-living crisis that has increased the pressure on lowest-income groups and is putting a rising number of persons at risk of poverty. Families, especially single parents and large families are among those struggling most, which has led to a significant increase in child poverty. Furthermore, housing exclusion and homelessness are increasing due, amongst other things, to a shortage of affordable and adequate housing.
SchuldHulpMaatje’s approach is based on prevention, intervention and follow-up. They aim to reach people at an early stage so that they end up with fewer creditors and less stress. They offer online platforms where people can test their financial situation and get personalised advice. They also work with big banks that will suggest their website to their clients at risk of being indebted. They train volunteers who can act as buddies and support people in managing their finances and changing their behaviour. They also provide emergency relief to people affected by conflicts, disasters and displacement.
As we mark the International Day Against Poverty, we invite you to join us in supporting SchuldHulpMaatje’s work. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against poverty. As we reflect on this day, let us renew our shared determination to work collaboratively, paving the way for a fairer and more just society.
[1] https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3093