European Commission Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu has set an ambitious goal: eradicating poverty across the European Union within 25 years. Speaking to Euronews on Wednesday, she outlined the Commission’s first-ever anti-poverty strategy, which aims to lift the nearly 92.7 million Europeans currently at risk of poverty or social exclusion—roughly one in five citizens of the 27 member states.
“We want to eradicate poverty in the EU in 25 years,” Mînzatu said, acknowledging the scale of the challenge. The strategy, presented by the Commission, focuses on non-binding recommendations and best-practice guidelines for member states rather than binding legislation. It targets extreme poverty and social exclusion by 2050, but critics note it lacks a dedicated budget.
Ambitious Goals, Limited Tools
The EU is already falling short of its 2030 target to lift at least 15 million people out of poverty. “We have only managed to help around 3.7 million Europeans,” Mînzatu admitted. The energy crisis, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East, threatens to push more households into financial strain. “This 93 million number could become higher in a few months or in a very short time,” she warned.
The strategy covers several areas: supporting children in disadvantaged families, expanding social and affordable housing, and improving access to employment and adequate pensions. The Commission plans to pilot a “child guarantee card” in some countries—a digital tool to track children in need and provide free services like dental care. “If a child in a precarious situation needs medical attention, we should know that this is the case, and make all necessary so that he gets this support,” Mînzatu explained.
Homelessness is another priority. The Commission recommends early warning systems and debt counselling to prevent evictions, and it urges member states to make long-term rentals more attractive than short-term ones for landlords. However, the strategy’s reliance on recommendations rather than binding measures has drawn criticism.
Funding and Criticism
The Commission argues that existing EU funds are substantial: €50.2 billion from the European Social Fund Plus for social inclusion and material deprivation, plus €100 billion earmarked for social policies in the next multiannual budget. Yet NGOs like Caritas Europa warn that the absence of concrete legislative proposals risks leaving the most ambitious goals without the necessary tools. The network of organizations promoting social justice welcomed the plan but criticized it for failing to include measures to protect “mobile” citizens—those excluded from social protection in both their country of origin and residence.
On the same day, the Commission also reviewed its strategy to boost inclusion for people with disabilities, who account for roughly 90 million individuals across the EU. This includes the full rollout and digitalisation of initiatives like the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card, aiming to ensure equal rights across all 27 countries.
Mînzatu’s commitment comes amid broader debates about the EU’s social agenda. The strategy’s success will depend on member states’ willingness to implement recommendations, especially as economic pressures mount. For now, the path to ending poverty by 2050 remains uncertain, with the Commission betting on coordination rather than compulsion.
