The FEAD Community Annual Conference, which took place in Brussels and online on 19 October 2021, enabled mutual learning exchanges between local, regional and national stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), including: managing authorities, intermediate bodies, beneficiaries and partner organisations providing support, independent experts, civil society organisations and representatives from the European Commission.

The Conference focused on the role of the FEAD Community in the last two years and on the activities carried out so far, looking back at the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 related crisis, as well as its long-term impact.

This report reflects the discussions held during the plenary session and the parallel workshops, which focused on the synergy between accompanying measures and food and material assistance to tackle homelessness and support the social inclusion of other vulnerable groups.

Our Policy Assistant, Magdalena Bordagorry, attended the event in person on behalf of Eurodiaconia and our role in the FEAD Advisory Group, where she had the opportunity to engage in discussions and deliver some final key messages. The conference was a great opportunity to reflect on the remarkable work that many organisations, including Eurodiaconia’s members, are doing on the ground with people living in poverty and social exclusion.

Some of the main takeaways from our perspective can be found here.

The full synthesis report of the FEAD Annual Conference can be accessed here.