HOW SOCIAL IS EUROPE? SOME REFLECTIONS OF FEANTSA

BAWO Fachtagung Salzburg - 6 May 2009

Introduction

FEANTSAs in the European arena Monopoly on homelessness (But) Funded by the EU Lobbying – Delivering

Challenge … Austria in FEANTSA

Crucial position of BAWO Christian Perl

Homeless & EU: some preliminary remarks EU is not social /

Will not be social in foreseeable future ?! EU social model is myth

Pretext not to act?! Fatalistic / Idealistic vs Pragmatic approach

Focus on homelessness

EU & homelessness – HISTORY

Homelessness is NOT competence of the EU Open Method of Coordination

Since 2000 Soft policy making

Mutual learning, knowledge generating, benchmarking…. Examples

FEANTSA Studies Peer reviews Seminars

Random / piecemeal BUT indirect impact

Examples Free movement of workers Asylum Procurement Energy efficiency State aid…

No awareness !!!! NO strategic approach

Waste of resources.

EU & Homelessness – CURRENT Homelessness is urgent priority

Joint Report Social Protection & Social Inclusion 2009 Council & Commission

Light year on Homelessness and Housing Exclusion Governement reports

First time Political momentum

Joint Report 2010 Thematic Focus

Pressure from the European Parliament Written Declaration on Homelessness 2008

Ending Street Homelessness by 2015 More active role of the EU

Political momentum on homelessness

EU & Homelessness – Immediate FUTURE Problem

Lack of support from European Commission Anticipate disagreement amongst member states Focus on homelessness leads to marginalisation of

social policies Solution

Build European consensus on homelessness What is ultimate objective of public policies? What is

progress on homelessness? Managing vs Ending Homelessness

How? European Consensus conference 2010

PrepCom – all stakeholders Consensus Conference – experts Jury – decision

EU & Homelessness – longer-term FUTURE Soft competences

Homelessness OMC post 2010 Proper reporting

Homelessness NAPs Proper monitoring

Homelessness EU objectives Proper learning

Strategic use of PROGRESS programme Hard competences

Free movement of people Minimum protection for homeless/destitute people

Guaranteed access to emergency accommodation / social emergency support Free movement of services

Quality of services Emergency accommodation?!

Funding Structural Funds post 2013

Soft competences & Hard competence Focus for visibility

EU & Homelessness – AUSTRIA

Thank you for listening Questions?????????????????????