Answers to questionnaires received from 13 Networks. The answers are collated by question. This ensures that similarities emerge and differences are very clear.

A. EAPN PT European Anti Poverty Network / Portugal

B. EAPN Czech Republic

C. Anti Poverty Forum of Malta (APF Malta)

D. EAPN Poland

E. EAPN Iceland

F. EAPN Austria/ Die Armutskonferenz

G. EAPN Sweden

H. Velferdsalliansen/EAPN Norway

I. EAPN Finland

J. EAPN Denmark

K. EAPN Germany

L. EAPN Spain

M. EAPN Estonia

A. EAPN PT The Network has the following number of member organizations: 955 (605 NGOs and 350 individual members)

B. The Network has the following number of member organizations: 18 (of which is 6 Networks)

C. The Network has the following number of member organisations 13

D. The Network has the following number of member organisations 30

E. The Network has the following number of member organisations: 10

F. The Network has the following number of member organisations 36

G. ----------

H. The Network has the following number of member organizations: 27

I. The Network has the following number of member organisations 33

J. The Network has the following number of member organisations 11

K. The Network has the following number of member organizations: 17

L. The Network has the following number of member organizations: 19 regional networks and 16 National organisations

M. The Network has the following number of member organizations: 24 members + 4 cooperation partners

A. Sandra Araújo ( sandra.araujo@eapn.pt ; 00351 225420800/9)

B. Karel Schwarz, email: Schwarz_karel@seznam.cz, phone: +420-777716632

C. fsg372@gmail.com . Saviour Grima 00356 21354464/00356 79617366

D. Kamila Płowiec (kamila.p@wrzos.org.pl; +48 22 826 52 46)

E. vilborg@help.is

F. Judith Pühringer judith.puehringer@bdv.at, Verena Fabris verena.fabris@volkshilfe.at 0043 69919230389

G. Sonja Wallbom, sonja.wallbom@gmail.com, phone: +46 739868104

H. Johanna Engen post@velferdsalliansen.no +4793299510

I. Outi Ruishalme_ outi.ruishalme(at)mielenterveysseura.fi

J. Ole Meldgaard, ole@kofoedsskole.dk +45 2032 2074

K. Alexander Kraake (email: KraakeA@drk.de, phone: ++49 (0)30 85404-217)

L. Patricia Bezunartea (patriciab@raisfundacion.org) , Jose Javier Lopez (josejavier.lopez@eapn.es)

M. Nele Hendrikson +37256570525 or Kart Mere +3725110923

Priorities and current activities of your National Network

1. What are the priorities of your Network at national level?

A. EAPN PT:

Qualification of the 3rd sector (NGOs)

Lobby

Networking and social innovation to promote fight against poverty and social exclusion

Participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion

Research and development of projects in different areas of poverty and social exclusion

Awareness raising on poverty and social exclusion subjects

B. EAPN CZ Rep

Social housing

Indebtedness (the so-called debt trap)

Tackling of unemployment together with housing, poverty and indebtedness of people

Equal opportunities (based on ethnicity, gender, age, income, etc.)

Social and legal protection of children (especially the excessive number of children living in institutional care)

Support for integrity families (so-called recovery of families)

Dependence on casinos , drugs and other addictive substances or activities

C. APF Malta

Lobbying with the Government entities

Working with different NGO’s and Unions

Documents evolutions about poverty and meeting with Government Stakeholders

Part of the Sub Committees of discussions of 2020

National Strategy meetings

TV and Radios discussions about poverty and social exclusions

Seminars with other NGO’s and Union and with the Local Government

D. EAPN Poland

We are focusing on building the network, straightening capacity of our member organizations, building relationships with other stake holders, mainly with public administration and trade unions.

E. EAPN Iceland

Raising awareness and fighting poverty. Getting more active members involved across the country to carry on building and strengthening a national network.

F. EAPN Austria

Lobbying in social policy and measures In the fight against poverty and social exclusion in Austria, biannual national conference on poverty in Austria with various focuses (health issues, equal distribution, wealth, commons…), press and media work (media award, press releases, newsletter…), organization of meetings of people experiencing poverty,

G. EAPN Sweden

- Keep in contact with decision makers by lobbying and conferences.

- React on political invitations or proposals (the NRP etc…)

- Lobbying to implement the EU agenda on poverty and exclusion on National level, as it is not mentioned anywhere or been taken under consideration at all.

- Participate in “User´s Delegations” on National and regional level.

- Build an ongoing dialogue between officials, politicians and “users”. (“User” in a Swedish context meaning “users of different kind of social services”. Others may use the word “client” instead...) The dialogues are held on regional levels and once a year on national level.

- It is a big job organizing the dialogues as you will have to mobilize the decision makers as well as the users on all levels. To make the conferences meaningful you will also have to train the users and to make them feel that this is important and that the dialogues are an

ongoing process that in the long run may change the politics. It is, on the other hand, the same problem to mobilize the decision makers, to make them understand the importance of involving themselves in this process. Our ambition is to make those conferences regular every year, both on regional and national level, and that we will have the economic support that is needed to make them.

H. EAPN Norway

- Secure a rights-based minimum income in social welfare

- We demand that dental health should be included in the health care system

- Free school meals and free activities for all in school hours

- Housing with a social purpose

- Work for en increase user participation

I. EAPN Finland

To influence government policies in order to decrease poverty and exclusion

J. EAPN Denmark

The Danish NRP

Minimum income

Inequality

Employment

K. EAPN Germany

Lobbying national social policy, main target audience being the German Parliament and the relevant ministries, discussion and coordination of common positions on all aspects of poverty, dissemination of information about poverty

L. EAPN Spain

According to the 2010-2013 EAPN Spain Strategic Plan priorities are:

a) Influence politically against poverty and social exclusion

b) Achieve a relevant social presence, capable of communication and social mobilization

c) Strengthen organizational and participatory structure of EAPN-ES

d) Achieve representation and participation of NGOs and people experiencing poverty.

e) Actively participate in the structuring of the Third Sector in Spain.

f) Achieve a combined and coherent work at European, National and Regional level

EAPN Estonia

The last year’s focal topic – introducing problems related to relatives’ care, and looking for solutions – has been very productive activity and a good cooperation project. Result: a manifest has been written (EAPN Europe has also received it). Articles by the journalist, Tiina Kangro, have been extremely important for putting the topic on the agenda. A special TV serial ‘Puutepunkt’ (‘The Point of Touch’) on the Estonian National Broadcasting television.

A brochure prepared and published in cooperation with the Social Work Centre of Tallinn (they manage lodging houses for the homeless). And another public event conducted in cooperation with the same Centre in the Tallinn city centre: A Homeless People’s Night.

The biggest concern continues to be child poverty. This is a problem for both the children and their FAMILIES.

We have tried to give a lot of output to the media, supported with information and presentations, emphasised the issue of the need for free school meals (incl. summer soup projects, and the theme of morning porridge at schools). Meetings with political parties.

Within our Network, we have formed a work group for the protection of the best interests of the child.

As a Network, we have signed a Petition on equal rights.

Introducing the Europe 2020 Strategy in Estonia, as well as introducing documents of EAPN and other documents. ‘Explanatory memorandum on child poverty’ available in English on our website.

Promoting the idea of adequate minimum income.

Water campaign – water as a human right. Main message: a minimum amount of water that is requisite for life should be available for all for free. We gathered the required number of signatures. However, the idea as a whole did not gain enough popularity – we did not get as much attention as we expected.

Joint petitions with the Estonian Patient Advocacy Association, the Estonian Women’s Union and the Estonian Union for Child Welfare.

M.

2. What are you focusing the Network activities on?

A. EAPN PT

Training (taking in consideration the needs of 3rd sector organizations);

Research (Informal Economy; Social Innovation; Roma Communities; extreme poverty);

Information (Thematic Newsletters; Publications and Magazine);

Projects (national and transnational on different areas of poverty and social exclusion and qualification of the 3rd sector);

National and Local Councils of people experiencing poverty;

Awareness raising within schools (Schools Against Poverty Initiative);

Workshops and Seminars on different subjects;

Participation on local and national platforms (lobby) (Social Networks; National Homeless Strategy; National Strategy for the inclusion of Roma Community; and so on);

Activities aiming employability (Protocol with the National Institute of Employment and Professional Training; Microcredit);

Thematic Groups (Child Poverty and Active Ageing);

Development of position papers on different subjects and social policies;

Lisbon Local Observatory on Poverty and Social Exclusion;

Awareness of civil society (Journey for Citizenship).

B. EAPN CZ Rep

National Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty (annually since 2009, usually in March or April)

Preparation for the European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty including the participation of the Czech delegation in Brussels (annually since 2004)

Activities on the Day of the Fight against Poverty (annually since 2005): Happening in Ostrava (since 2006), Seminar or Round Table, media information, meetings with politicians)

Thematic expert meeting on combating poverty and social exclusion (annually since 2006)

Discussions (about 7-8 meetings per year from 2012) with representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, including meetings with the Minister (so-called Platform 10)

Participation of representatives of EAPN Czech Republic in the Commission for Social Inclusion of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Analysis and assessment of the National Reform Programme (or similar documents of the Government of the Czech Republic)

Meetings with Members of Parliament of the Czech Republic (Deputies and Senators)

Seminars , workshops , conferences on combating poverty and social exclusion

Websites of EAPN Czech Republic (www.eapncr.org)

The General Assembly of EAPN Czech Republic (annual)

C. APF Malta

Strategy building

Seminars

Translations of documents

Awareness and lobby with Government and the Minister of Social Policy and Education

D. EAPN Poland

Raising awards campaigns, seminars, meetings. We also try to involve PEP in our activities.

E. EAPN Iceland

Establishing working groups and writing newspaper articles. Try to ensure that what has been achieved with the former government is not lost.

F. EAPN Austria

See above

G. EAPN Sweden

See above

H. EAPN Norway

Lobbying, advocacy and user participation

I. EAPN Finland

We have 4 task forces . Health and poverty, child poverty, social policy and pep taskforces. Each of them work in order to make papers , which are used in influencing politics and general public.

We also have co-operation with the church and the National Institute for Health and welfare, Finnish Association for Social and Welfare and the poverty network of the Finnish Parliament. We arrange seminars together seminars on different subjects connected with processes influencing in poverty and exclusion. This network is called Who listens to the poor.

J. EAPN Denmark

Follow up on national poverty line

Social human rights

migration

Minimum income

Working poor

The Social Fund

K. EAPN Germany

In 2013 the federal elections are the main political event, EAPN is disseminating a declaration and a position paper; further developing the new website; discussion about character, mission and structure of EAPN Germany; in general, achieving a better media coverage and improving the participation of people experiencing poverty

L. EAPN Spain

Based on the above priorities , the Spanish Network focuses on the following activities:

a. Impact on social policies, through the NRP , the National Inclusion Plan and PEP meetings who decide social policy in our country at national and regional level .

b. Participation in all the forums related to the fight against poverty and social exclusion (National Council of NGOs, NGO Platform, Poverty Alliance , Third Sector Platform , Inclusion Network , etc.).

c. Communication and social awareness through seminars, activities , website, social media, etc. .

d. Preparation of reports and position papers.

e. Preparation and publication of informative materials.

f. Support regional networks and developing a program to support them.

g. Capacity – building Program throughout Spain: workshops, seminars and online.

h. Promoting the participation of people experiencing poverty at national and regional level.

i. Active participation in strengthening of the Third Sector for Social Action in Spain.

j. Participation in EAPN Europe in order to achieve a comprehensive work at three levels : regional, national and European.

M. EAPN Estonia

Focus for this year: children and families in poverty. A free meal at school up to the end of gymnasium. A minimum package of services that is guaranteed by the government for families with children; the problem of unorganised school holidays.

Communication and custody.

Messages in cooperation with the media – vulnerable social groups should not be stigmatised! See the website of EAPN Estonia.

3. Please include one activity of your Network, implemented in the past 12 months that you would evaluate as successful (give a short description)?

A. EAPN PT

We have a lot of activities that could be highlighted; however we can refer particularly the training and capacity building work, during the last six months we have done more than 110 training actions, a total of 1095 hours of training and 2059 trainees. But also the participation on research projects like a national study on informal economy.

B. EAPN CZ Rep

- National Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty (people living in poverty participate actively in tackling poverty and social exclusion, meet themselves to formulate their needs and requirements for combating poverty and social exclusion, appeal to politicians; 17 May 2013 attended by 48 people living in poverty)

- We have reached the amendment to the Law on Social Protection of Children, which better ensures the position of children in poverty and social exclusion

C. APF Malta

During these few months we had the Election Campaign and as a network we decided to write to both Political Parties about the problem of poverty. Our proposals were written in both parties to combat poverty and social exclusions.

We were involved also in sub groups made by Government to study the situation of poverty and national strategy for 2020.

D. EAPN Poland

We have been engaged in consultation of NRP and we build a coalition around it. The coalition consists of different partners (other ngo’s, trade unions, employers). Our voice is more heard and our remarks are more taking into consideration. The cooperation with that partners is very good and fruitful. The other success was our active participation in preparation National Programme Against Poverty and Social Exclusion.

E. EAPN Iceland

The participation in the work that resulted in the report “Prosperity”. The aim of the effort was to gather information from the various entities that were approached and from reports and studies that have been made concerning poverty in Iceland, with the intention of formulating and submitting proposals on measures against poverty.

F. EAPN Austria

Media award “bottom-up award” – this prize Is awarded to journalists in various media (online/print/TV/radio) who published in Austrian media on the topic of poverty and social exclusion. The jury consists of people experiencing poverty who decide and discuss the entries on the basis of special selected criteria such as respect, dignity, including views of PEPs, in-depth research etc….

This prize is awarded once a year in the week before Christmas in a special ceremony and begins to reach attention throughout Austria.

G. EAPN Sweden

The last National Dialogue Conference was successful because:

1. There were participants from the whole country representing different organizations, such as people out of work, mental problems, homeless, drug problems, ex-convicts etc.

2. We managed to have 1,5 days training before the conference.

3. The training was devided into different themes that the participants wanted to discuss with the politicians. Each group selected one member to take part in the dialogue and bring the message from the group to the decission makers.

4. All parties, except one, from the Parliament were present.

5. There were very positive reactions from the participants and many new contacts were made. Representatives from the Parliament promised to follow up on different issues that were raised.

H. EAPN Norway

A two-day social Forum in Bergen. Topic: Housing, Health and Welfare followed by a meeting of all the committees of Velferdsalliansen which dealt mainly about to start planning for the legislative elections 2013 and how to challenge politicians on issue related to poverty and social exclusion

I. EAPN Finland

A seminar of Who listens to the poor –network in Finnish parliament in may about the gaps in social security benefits that cause problems for poor people.

J. EAPN Denmark

EAPN.dk has worked for a national poverty line. This goal was achieved this year

EAPN.dk has become a member of the Contact Committee for the Europe 2020 strategy,

and a member of the Council for Human Rights

K. EAPN Germany

EAPN Germany wrote a shadow report in 2012 in cooperation with a Berlin street magazine which got a lot of media coverage; meeting of people experiencing poverty

L. EAPN Spain

There are several successful work experiences of the Spanish network that could be considered as successful. Highlight one of them and some others are named below:

Development of a job training and lobby on Structural Funds: In 2004, EAPN Spain decided that the task of advocacy should cover the Structural Funds, because of the potential for them to develop actions related to employability, innovation, equality between men and women and to promote relations and transnational alliances. Since then:

- Participate and get involved in the EAPN Structural Funds Task Force.

- Create a working group at national levelwith the following functions:

Define actions at the national and regional level, according to the territorial structure and management of the Funds in Spain.

Translate the materials prepared by the Task Force.

Identify and maintain dialogue with responsible staff for ESF and ERDF in each region.

Organize Seminars and Training Days in all regions.

Creating proposals tailored to each region (regional governments)

Opening a line of dialogue with the Management Unit (UAFSE) to influence statewide.

To spread the 20% campaign

For the next 2014-2020 period, in order to bring the funds to EAPN-ES members:

Creating a document outlining the highlights of the draft Regulations under the 2020 Strategy.

Information and training to regional networks, through seminars, inviting politicians and responsible staff of the funds.

Working directly for dialogue and influence with the Management Unit, offering to participate in the framework of technical assistance.

Other successful activities of the Spanish Network:

- E-learning process

- Development of the territorial structure of the Network

- Partnerships and participation of EAPN Spain at the Civil Dialogue meetings.

M. EAPN Estonia

Creating a work group for the protection of the best interests of the child, 2 meetings have been held.

The EU 2020 Strategy training attracted great interest and lots of participants.

In 2012, the EAPN Estonia Strategy 2012-2015 received its final touch (Engagement with the EAPN Europe strategic plan)

Engagement with EAPN Europe strategic plan

4. Please explain which of the EAPN Europe Goals is your NN engaging with most and why?

A. EAPN PT

Following/Monitoring of European Strategies and Policies on poverty and social exclusion issues: since almost the beginning EAPN Portugal tries to follow all the EU policies and its implication on national policies in order to present contributes for its improvement. EAPN Portugal is also a channel between Europe and National level and through this it tries to disseminate the most important European orientations at national context.

Participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion: participation is a central priority of the organization. EAPN Portugal always participated in the European Meeting of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion and seeks to continue this work at national level through the national council of Pep’s and the National Forum of Pep’s

Subjects like employment, structural funds, governance, social inclusion were always of the interest of the EAPN Portugal because they are priority matters also at national level.

B. EAPN CZ Rep

People experiencing poverty meetings – It fulfills also the objectives of EAPN Czech Republic

Strategy Europa 2020 – It is very important also for EAPN Czech Republic from the perspective of communication with politicians and public officials

C. APF Malta

Lobby and Seminars and meeting with MEP.

We find that Education and personal contact is very important, so that one can find it easy to find support and a contact person that works with the local network

D. EAPN Poland

I think it’s Goal 2: EAPN is a dynamic, membership driven organisation that is recognised as a key civil society actor fighting poverty, social exclusion and inequalities at National and European levels.

It’s very important in the context of cuts and “the climate” around ngo’s and poverty.

E. EAPN Iceland

We focus on empowerment and human rights because poverty deprives people of their dignity and we want to fight poverty by enabling people to find their strength. We also focus on the government and try to get the politicians informed about the situation around poverty so they can make decisions accordingly.

F. EAPN Austria

- poverty reduction as stated in the EU 2020 strategy - Die Armutskonferenz is part of the National Poverty Platform

- Involvement of all stakeholders (National Platform, ESF…)

G. EAPN Sweden

-------

H. EAPN Norway

Social inclusion and Active inclusion strategy, Adequate income, universal services and social services of good quality. Norway has no minimum standard for income regarding social welfare. People have no predictability for how they are going to survive for the next month with the current system for social welfare payments. Norway is the 4rth country in the EEA area that does not have a minimum social standard for social benefits.

I. EAPN Finland

This year we are aiming at

-getting pep people more actively into our activities and

-make papers and statements and press releases about the causes of poverty and what is poverty in todays´ society.

-make statements about the processes which cause exclusion in the school system

-make statements how government policy affects the situation of people having chronic illnesses.

-to activate member organizations of EAPN-Fin in anti-poverty work

J. EAPN Denmark

A social and sustainable development model that tackles poverty, social exclusion and inequalities

K. EAPN Germany

EAPN Germany is engaged in the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy in Germany (especially the poverty reduction target) and with the meaningful participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion

L. EAPN Spain

Among the goals based on EAPN -EU Strategic Plan, those in which EAPN -ES is more involved are:

a) Involvement of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion: The promotion of this strategic online from EAPN -EU has been a major impetus to explore this question both from the Spanish network and from its member institutions increasingly involved with it.

b) Structural Funds: A very important part of the political action of EAPN -ES is focused on influencing the Structural Funds managed by National and Regional governments and engaged in the fight against poverty and exclusion.

c) Monitoring the National Reform Programme: As a framework from which policies are articulated in Spain. The policy priorities are set out in this document and EAPN- ES, one of the main social agents, maintains a comprehensive monitoring trying to influence both the definition of priorities of the NRP, as the fulfillment of the agreements that impact on people and communities affected by poverty and exclusion.

M. EAPN Estonia

EU 2020, adequate minimum income, and child poverty. Cooperation against all kinds of discrimination with the framework of the “A dissimilarity enriches’ campaign. Cooperation with the Centre of Ethics of the University of Tartu on topic of values.

5. What are the priorities in your engagement with EAPN Europe work? (which goals do you focus on more and why?)

A. EAPN PT

Following of European Strategies and Policies on poverty and social exclusion issues. Work in the development of a European strategy to fight poverty and social exclusion

B. EAPN CZ Rep

Participation in European meetings of people experiencing poverty - connected to the national meetings of PEP

EU Inclusion Strategies Group - we have the most experience in this area

C. APF Malta

Education and Network Campaign

a. Sharing ideas and build networks that small networks will have the possibilities for a training course, like sharing of work, sharing of materials

b. More information about EU Programs that can work together with small or big Networks

D. EAPN Poland

Building the strong network, exchange experiences with other networks.

E. EAPN Iceland

Our participation in PEP serves the goal of empowerment and raising awareness. Our work in EU ISG helps us in monitoring the government’s actions – both equally important.

F. EAPN Austria

- Participation of PEPs on all levels/in all forums

- Fight against poverty and social exclusion (social services, minimum income standards, labour market policies…)

- Fight against austerity measures

G. EAPN Sweden

Exco, the SIWG-group, Mobilize delegates to the PEP-meeting and preparing them for a good participation, following up on issues introduced by EAPN Europe, trying to implement them in our work and into a bigger political debate.

H. EAPN Norway

Much of our focus has been on setting social standards across Europe and of course, we are looking forward to take part next year of the EMIM project. It’s a need for a directive on social standards in the EU.

I. EAPN Finland

To learn from other networks and to get knowledge about issues going on in EU and to get tools to influence politics in our own country

J. EAPN Denmark

Social inclusion and minimum income

Employment and labour market development

migration

K. EAPN Germany

Interest in exchange of problems, practice and expertise with other networks; it would be interesting to work jointly on certain aspects of poverty (energy poverty, health and poverty)

L. EAPN Spain

We believe that we must go deeper in advocacy action. Due to our political situation this is our top priority and it´s very assumed by the Network.

M. EAPN Estonia

Children and families in poverty, given that we have lots of member organisations that are engaged in this issue. For a small country this is a question of survival – from education to health care, any topic interconnects to this.

Estonia needs national anti-poverty strategy, but there is still no such strategy so far. We try to work hard towards making it existent one day. We put pressure on the government via the media and by engaging the public.

6. What training needs, from the perspective of your NN’s engagement, EAPN Europe should consider when drafting the new Training and Capacity Building Agenda?

A. EAPN PT

Lobby: related to communication with mass media; organizational marketing;

Financial sustainability: searching for different financial sources

Networking: mobilization of other national entities/key entities to EAPN Portugal mission

B. EAPN CZ Rep

We do not need a training planned and organized at the level of EAPN Europe for colleagues and clients in the Czech Republic. This training is necessary to prepare and organize on the level of EAPN Czech Republic. We would welcome financial support from the European level for the education and training at the national level. However, it would help us if EAPN Europe sent lecturers for the areas in which we have not qualified lecturer in the Czech Republic.

We consider sufficient education and training prepared and organized at the level of EAPN Europe for executives and management of national networks EAPN.

C. APF Malta

How to apply for funding’s

How to build a strong network

Tool kits to help us when lobbying about information about EU level poverty and some PowerPoint’s to help the fight against poverty

D. EAPN Poland

The trainings we need should be as practice and possible. For us important is how to involve PEP in work of the network, how effectively lobbing the government, how effectively do social campaigns

E. EAPN Iceland

Being a new network, we feel that we need more guidance on how it´s best to organize ourselves and act on our numerous ideas (including lobbyism and fundraising).

F. EAPN Austria

- Structural Funds – new periods

- New forms of participation and new and up-to date methods for working in groups

- Overview for Newcomers (formerly Basic Training Sessions)

G. EAPN Sweden

Very basic information about EU and how it is dealing with poverty and exclusion.

Where does EAPN fit into this work and how do we do it?

H. EAPN Norway

-

I. EAPN Finland

We don´t have much time to attend because of the lack of resources but training and capacity building on those issues mentioned above. Specially about good practices in influencing politics and disseminating knowledge about the causes of poverty and the mechanisms that lie behind.

J. EAPN Denmark

There is a need to better understand the EU-policies and reason behind. To better understand alternative policies.

K. EAPN Germany

The crucial task is to improve the participation of people experiencing poverty, EAPN Germany would be interested in new methods and ideas; better usage of social media and internet; develop lobbying strategies and methods; improve the comprehension of European politics; anti-discrimination (what is discrimination? What means integration? What are common patterns of discrimination against minorities in all MS?)

L. EAPN Spain

There are two areas that we believe EAPN-EU could play an important role in order to train National networks:

1 - Evaluation (impact) of social policies.

2 – Lobbying, advocacy, knowledge of the processes of European governance mechanisms between the Commission and European institutions...

M. EAPN Estonia

Training for our members to make them understand better how the EU level policy is binding on Estonia. We do not perceive our connectedness to Europe clearly enough, and this indeed enables our leading politicians to ignore certain topics. Greater awareness is needed.

As soon as a precedent is created (e.g. a homeless person at the European Court of Justice: the Lisbon Treaty, EU 2020, and the Convention of the Rights of the Child treat this as a robust violation of human rights), the others can go on from this example. It might be important somehow to activate neglected people, although reaching them is extremely difficult. Poverty is something that is veiled and felt ashamed for, and to activate them is even harder, lack of finances is a great concern as well.

How to engage people who experience poverty into the fight against poverty in such a way as to make the fight effective?

How to initiate and implement joint projects with networks in other countries?

Organising a great protest action – conducting a demonstration. How to do it in such a way as not to cause damage to oneself, so that it would be message-centred and empower the network? How to protect our members if any of them gets under attack as a consequence of a protest action?

Challenges and needs

7. What are the problems/challenges you face in your Network’s work?

A. EAPN PT

Please see the next question (needs)

B. EAPN CZ Rep

lack of funds

lack of experienced volunteers

It survives a concept in the minds of politicians and public officials, that the state, counties and municipalities solves social problems of people without NGOs

C. APF Malta

We are a small networks and we face problems to cope

Challenges to employee a person that helps to co-ordinate

Financial problems

D. EAPN Poland

Lack of core funds and money for activities. Little involvement of member organizations. Lack of knowledge about European social policy and little interest.

E. EAPN Iceland

We are in need of an employee (part time).

Having at least one part time employee would help us tremendously in organizing our network and making our work more efficient. Although people are happy and willing to do voluntary work, their main responsibilities lie elsewhere resulting in their work for EAPN having to come in second.

F. EAPN Austria

- Funding

- Time ressources of exco members in Austria

- Sustainable participation of PEPs

- Stakeholder involvement e.g. within NRP is very tiring and hard

G. EAPN Sweden

- No funding for the Network. We have to totally rely on volountary work and work done on time the members “steel” from their organizations.

- Lack of money also gives problems with meetings for all member organizations as we can not pay for travel costs, hotels or venues. We have partly solved it by organizing the Network on regional levels to make it easier for people to act, meet and keep in contact.

- The language problems with only a few members able to participate on European level.

- The language is also a concern for the “Brussels English”, meaning that even if your English is rather good, it´s a problem to understand the EU agenda, the EAPN agenda and also the vocabulare connected to those.

- Making our own members and member organizations understand the EU agenda/the EAPN agenda and why they should participate in this.

H. EAPN Norway

We use our working groups to test out PEP and recruit talents who can contribute in our work. The network also uses more or less our member ngo`s as partners regarding actions, common projects depending on the topic we are focusing on. Our Members are also working through our 6 working groups and committees to have influence on our policy making process. Since we are a network of 90 percent of self organized NGOs the stability in some of the NGOs can be a challenge. But we focus on to strengthen our members which have weak funding and arrange a training course each year for how to apply for funding.

I. EAPN Finland

We need more resources. Everybody of us is doing this EAPN work on side of other things, full time job etc. We are applying for resources from Slot machine association to get money to employ one person to work for us fulltime.

J. EAPN Denmark

Financial, time, no staff, everybody is working on a voluntary basis. Most people busy with their daily work.

K. EAPN Germany

Small resources; lack of clear concept for participation; no participation in European projects possible due to shortage of resources

L. EAPN Spain

We think they are perfecty identified in the following chapters.

M. EAPN Estonia

We need our own office rooms where to hold meetings and where to store our materials. This implies monetary resources but we do not have any source at the moment from where to raise money. We also need a full-time paid employee to take responsibility for the functioning of EAPN Estonia.

We cannot do it in such a way either that members of EAPN Estonia would pay some sort of a fee to the Network as we live in a project-driven world.

We also do not have people who are fluent enough in English to represent Estonia on the international level, and we do not have any resources to train such people.

We should have better communication strategy for the work to be effective, so that everyone would receive the information they need on time and thereby also an impulse to act.

8. What are the needs of the NN in terms of the 4 pillars of strong ant-poverty networks (See the full description of each pillar in the MASS document on the member’s room)? Please include up to 3 priorities and 3 needs per pillar:

8.1. Influencing government policiesA. EAPN PT

Priorities: Influence the government for the development on a national strategy to fight

poverty and social exclusion Produce key position papers on relevant subjects at national and European level (in

collaboration with EAPN and by ourselves) Making those documents visible at national level (for our members and general

public)Needs:

Communication Strategy mobilization of other national entities/key entities to EAPN Portugal mission Self-assessment to evaluate the impact of policy actions

B. EAPN CZ RepThe Increasing the pressure of the European Commission and other European institutions to reduce poverty and social exclusion.

C. APF Malta Visibility Documents and papers People Experience and stories that touches the policies makers to take actions

D. EAPN Poland how effectively influence government, how to talk with the government

E. EAPN Iceland Meetings with politicians. Through participating in The Welfare Watch and through the “Prosperity” report.

Good access to media.

F. EAPN Austria Pritorities:Lobbying and campaigningEvaluation of the impact of policy actions e.g. introduction of needs-tested minimum income scheme in AustriaCooperation and alliances to develop or support policy actions with other NGOs (environmental, development, migration etc.) and other actors (trade unions, think tanks, universities etc) Wege aus der Krise Network

Needs : More lobbying and campaigning with decision makers of many ministries and also the parliament would be needed if there were more resources

G. EAPN Sweden - We are taking actively part in many forums, are often invited and are quite well known,

considering that we are a network built upon the activities of members working on their own time.

- Our government is not taking up influences from anyone…

H. EAPN Norway Regarding adequate income we have a parallel strategy to our national one, and will contribute to lobby for a directive regarding this. This because the majority of the political parties in Norway have no policies reflecting the needs of PEP. We arrange ourselves and together with other NGOs, conferences and happenings. We do lobbying work and since we are a network of self-organized people the voice and proposals for solutions are reflecting the needs of the directly affected. Actions and happenings: On Friday the 23rd of August we arrange a backwards march with one other network and the Salvation Army around the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo because the fight against poverty among politicians is going backwards. We have 5 other happenings and meetings around Norway during the coming weeks. We arrange a WG meeting this week to get full Membership participation during the arrangements.

I. EAPN Finland This is priority number 1: -best ways to do it, best practices-up to date info about basic figures in EU about poverty

J. EAPN Denmark – K. EPN Germany Small resources; lack of clear concept for participation; no participation in European projects possible due to shortage of resources

L. EAPN Spain

Priorities: Our priority areas of lobby:

1 - National Inclusion Plan2 - Monitor the development of the National Reform Programme

3 - New European programming period

Needs: What we need from EAPN-EU to develop this priority is:

- Quick report of regarding information - Transparency- Permanent interaction

M. EAPN Estonia

Priorities: Our conservative government consistently argues that a great proportion of our society

can cope. They are very far from those who are in trouble. It is very difficult to give information or to explain – although we have been in contact with single politicians, influencing the sitting government is extremely difficult. And we also lack the strength and skill to make a revolution; it would be hard to attract approval and understanding of a large proportion of the society. – We must take into account local conditions – although certain problems that are widespread in Europe do not excite us at all.

To maintain good relationships with our good partners ‘Guards of governing’, Praxis. Lobby and campaigns.

Discords in legislation: Estonia versus Belgium. Presenting EAPN as a potential competent and good ally in order to fight together

against any problems.

Needs: If any manifest is drawn up on the EU level, there is nothing to do with it whatsoever in

the Estonian context. It is not taken account of that nations might be different. More specific solutions/proposals would be needed, based on history, religion, etc. The EU must understand that the European poor are different in different regions – they come from different stratums of the society. In our case, they are the native inhabitants – in Luxembourg, they are the migrants. We need different solutions.

Raising the theme of education to the forefront (particularly informally) – empowerment of people and preparing them for independent life (awareness of ones rights). We are in need of debate and advice, so that people would not allow doing wrong to them.

Putting forward the question of what the person HIM/HERSELF can do and what the community can do for improving the situation. The state alone is not guilty of everything.

8.2. Development and capacity buildingA. EAPN PT

Priorities: Implementation of projects (national and transnational) in different subjects Development of a management process of EAPN PT Members (try to have new

members and engage them with the entity mission) Training Certification (elaboration of a Manual for Training Quality) Training actions for EAPN PT Staff

Needs:

To mobilize all the members for the development of common actions with EAPN PT To obtain from all the EAPN staff a common vision about what is EAPN Europe More knowledge in European social policies (for EAPN staff and associated

members)

B. EAPN CZ RepThe financial support system of the national network of NGOs

C. APF Malta Training Exchange materials and good practice Local activities and awareness

D. EAPN Poland how to involve member organizations, how to develop the network in the times of crisis.

E. EAPN Iceland Be strong enough not to lose any of the current member organizations.Keeping the members active. Get in new member organizations (for example immigrants).

F. EAPN Austria There is no agenda or priority for enlarging the network – it is slowly growing anyway. There Is a pritority for supporting regional networks in order to establish themselves. No real agenda for capacity building however this would be needed.

G. EAPN Sweden Using all energy and imagination to find money, new members and to activate the NN is our biggest and most difficult targets. In the end: How is the NN going to survive in the long run?

We don´t have the capacity to a systematic development of the network due to lack of resources. As a result of that we don´t grow very fast and is not reaching many new members.

H. EAPN NorwayWe meet other relevant NGO`s on external arrangements, through Facebook etc. We find new organizations through our existing members and are increasing our network gradually and through a steady growth. In periods we lose an organization or two of various reasons and gradually we recruit others so we end up with more members than before.

I. EAPN Finland J. EAPN Denmark K. EAPN Germany Small resources; lack of clear concept for participation; no participation in European projects possible due to shortage of resources

L. EAPN Spain

Priorities: We develop this in all of our actions. Strengthening the Network and empower EAPN members are priorities for us.

Need: To further improve this aspect and need:

- Experiences from other networks experienced in the empowerment of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion, especially in the process of self-determination and decision-making.- Social mobilization (media campaigns).- Further development of more and better community partnerships.- Search for private funds.

M. EAPN Estonia/…/

8.3. Participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion

A. EAPN PTPriorities:

Development of local and national council of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion

Involvement of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion in EAPN PT activities Enhance this practice within EAPN PT members

Needs: Attract other members for the local council of pep’s Working with other Organizations on participation issues and on the participation of

pep’s in its own activities Promote an active citizenship of these publics

B. EAPN CZ RepCreating a membership structure of people experiencing poverty in the EAPNCzech Republic

C. APF Malta PEP can give a clear impact on the issue of poverty PEP wants to be involved in policy and program and lobbing making PEP sharing their experience to make more impact on the society that is very judgmental

D. EAPN Poland- step by step how involve PEP in work of the network- how to involve PEP in process of creating policy and how to make their voice heard

E. EAPN IcelandPEP (in Brussels) is a good way to get the participation of people experiencing poverty. We have tried to have our own PEP meeting but nobody came! We need to learn from other countries the best ways to reach out to this group of people in order to get them involved.

F. EAPN Austria Hosting periodic meetings of people experiencing poverty.

Preparation of a delegation and participation in the European Meeting of People Experienc-ing Poverty, and its planning processes.

Needs : attracting more and more various groups of PEPs in Austria. There is an achievement that within the ministry of social affairs are more and more PEPs are being included in the meetings however this is not the case for other ministries or institutions such as the labour market services.

G. EAPN Sweden - On National level we have many grass root organizations, meaning that the participation

is not an issue. The problem is how to bring them into the European work, how to explain the importance of that and how to translate both the agenda itself and the text

H. EAPN NorwayWe are a network of 90 percent self-organized people facing poverty or social exlucion.

I. EAPN Finland This is priority number 2best practices, ideas about different ways to do it

J. EAPN Denmark K. EAPN Germany Small resources; lack of clear concept for participation; no participation in European projects possible due to shortage of resources

L. EAPN Spain

Our needs are:

- Transform participation in the process of empowering people and excluded activities beyond specific groups.- Involve the members in this process- Incorporate the issue of governance of the Network effectively.

M. EAPN Estonia

Priorities: To get more people to participate in the society and to have their say. We must encourage people to express their opinions: there are no false opinions – each person’s word has a weight.

Needs: Financial resources to drive around in Estonia and meet both with people and representatives of local governments in smaller places. A village movement Kodukant (Home Region) can also be a partner – the village elders know their people and are capable of engaging them. Estonia is not just only Tallinn and Tartu.

8.4. Governance and internal democracy and management of the Network A. EAPN PT

Priorities: Definition and implementation of a strategic plan Organization qualification Improve internal decision making processes

Needs: Develop a marketing plan Develop a human resources policy

Make the members understanding the functioning of the Network

B. EAPN CZ Rep

C. APF Malta Healthy discussion with the Civil Society and with other networks Be part of discussion on local and with principals and values or transparent A good communication level with Government and other members of the parliament.

D. EAPN Poland- develop of the communication tools- better understanding the mission and vision of EAPN by member organization mainly on

a local level

E. EAPN IcelandWe need to establish a firmer structure around our work. Last year was our first full year in EAPN and most of the energy was focused on learning. We also need more funding to be able to run the network more efficiently (for example by hiring an employee who can make sure all work is done on time and in the correct manner, as explained in no. 7).

F. EAPN Austria Two meetings of member-organsiations a year, participation of members could be improved

G. EAPN Sweden Again, sorry for saying the same things, we just about manage to have our meetings, answering all the documents sent from Brussels, discuss whatever needed to be discussed, make planes for activities and struggle to do whatever is needed to be done.

H. EAPN Norway We have the GA, Membership meetings and working group meetings every year. An Exco, Bureau and the staff also are represented in the Exco with one representative. I. EAPN Finland This is priority number 3We want to activate member associations to the work of EAPN-Fin, and get also the PEP people actively participatingJ. EAPN Denmark

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K. EAPN Germany Small resources; lack of clear concept for participation; no participation in European projects possible due to shortage of resources

L. EAPN Spain

The priority is to deepen the process developed so far, which is already completed in all regions in Spain.

The key is to put the new Internet and Communications Technologies to be used for governance and internal democracy.

M. EAPN Estonia

Priorities: Given that the Network unites both more active and more passive members, we are in the need of good communication strategy, and, as already said above, of a paid employee who is at work full time, with full responsibility, always available, always reacting and phoning, writing, inviting and visiting, reminding, keeping an eye on any deadlines, replying to any addresses, etc.

Given that the Network unites leaders of various target groups, it is obvious that there are different groups (e.g. protectors of children, mouthpieces of the elderly, protectors of people with disabilities). Thus everybody has the common interest in throwing on poverty, as well as narrower interests that arise from special interests of their target groups.

Needs: We are in need of a meeting place in the city centre, so that those who come from the most remote places could also attend the meetings. We would need to compensate for the travel tickets, offer lunch, print documents, etc. We do not have enough money as the network is enlarging.

9. In relation to the four pillars above, which one is your Network strongest in and which is the one your Network needs to work on most?

A. EAPN PT

Strongest: Development and Capacity BuildingNeeds to work most: Governance and internal democracy and management of the Network

B. EAPN CZ Rep

We need to work on all the pillars, but we are strongest in pillar 3 - Participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion

C. APF Malta

People experience Poverty and lobbing with the Government and members of the Parliament

D. EAPN Poland

We are the strongest in the governance and internal democracy, we need to work on most on participation of PEP.

E. EAPN Iceland

We feel we are strongest in pillars 1 and 2, but weaker in pillars 3 and 4. There have been several powerful member organizations from the start and we have some very enthusiastic and knowledgeable people in our organization. Living in a small community gives us easier

access to media and people in power but for some reason it is harder to get ordinary people involved and organizing events.

F. EAPN Austria

Strongest: Influencing government policies

Weakest: Development and capacity building

G. EAPN Sweden

The strongest is participation of people experiencing poverty and exclusion, the weakest is development and capacity building.

H. EAPN Norway

We are strong on influencing policies and are highly respected, on the recruitment side we could of course be more offensive but a slow growth gives often more stability than a fast growth.

I. EAPN Finland

Management of network is the strongest and participation of people experiencing poverty is the area we need to work most

J. EAPN Denmark

K. EAPN Germany

Strongest 8.1 (policy-making and lobbying), needs to work on 8.2 (development)/8.3 (direct participation)

L. EAPN Spain

The Spanish Network is strong in two areas: advocacy and internal governance.

We need to deepen the participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

M. EAPN Estonia

Our strength lies in good cooperation, similar viewpoints and understandings of needs. Agreements on working methods.

We cannot attract 100 % of people to participate in joint events.

The European dimension remains blurred in the every-day work – the reason may also lie in the fact that the decisions of the EU level have had very little factual impact on our lives, and we can only rely on ourselves.

10. What do you expect EAPN to do in support of some of your training and capacity building needs/challenges?

A. EAPN PT

Share/exchange good practices; support of an expert to help EAPN Portugal to address some of those needs (example: campaigning schemes and strategies; participation strategies and policies)

B. EAPN CZ Rep

EAPN help get financial support, recommend curriculum, or arrange foreign teachers (or reimburse the costs of these lecturers).

C. APF Malta

To help us build documents and lobby documents

Help us organize your documents regarding the structure of poverty and inform us with original documents or summary the important discussions about poverty and social exclusion

Built a database with several articles from different NGO’s and stake holders

D. EAPN Poland

EAPN should provide every year a different trainings for different member organizations.

E. EAPN Iceland

We are in need of assistance finding the best ways to reach out to people experiencing poverty and guidance on how we can use our website (we plan to get one) and Facebook to be more visible and more accessible.

F. EAPN Austria

Basic methods on how to engage in policy debates in a foreign language (English/French)

Methods of organizing/facilitating conferences and workshops

G. EAPN Sweden

We see it as a weakness that fewer members can participate on European level (the GA, the task forces etc) as this was a way of engaging more people and to make them understand EAPN and Europe.

We have proposed that each NN should have a contact person from the secretariat, as a way of better understanding of the NNs and what the secretariat can expect from their members, and also, the other way around, what kind of knowledge and expertice that could be used on European level from the NNs. That could lead to a better balance in the work load that is possible to manage for all of us.

H. EAPN Norway

Guidance in processes and also have a budget for travelling if we need visitors from EAPN EU to give speeches or capacity guidance for the national network if needed.

I. EAPN Finland

See above: disseminate knowledge about good practices in anti-poverty work and knowledge about the mechanisms on exclusion and poverty an possible solutions that have been tried in some countries on some issues.

J. EAPN Denmark

K. EAPN Germany

Develop a training and capacity building concept, offer appropriate trainings

L. EAPN Spain

We expect from EAPN Europe:

- Information and feedback

- Advocacy to put these issues on the political agenda

- Facilitate us clues about the map of the European reality (formal and informal spaces of relation, governance, etc..)

M. EAPN Estonia

Joint projects.

Better explaining of the EU documents.

More people to EU meetings and working groups as only the experience of participation on the international level opens the eyes.

Best practices of other countries, introducing such practices, cooperation.

Resources, knowledge and expertise:

11. What resources/knowledge/expertise related to the four pillars (as mentioned above) do you have in your NN to share with other members of EAPN?

A. EAPN PT

We have knowhow, instruments and strategies already developed and implemented in all the priorities that we have described above that can be shared or explained to other members.

B. EAPN CZ Rep

Ways of influencing government, exchange of experiences of people living in poverty from different European countries.

C. APF Malta

Members that work close with people experience poverty

People working with persons with mental health problems

Programs of Drugs problem

Professionals working the immigrants

D. EAPN Poland

I think we have a knowledge on development of national networks and we can provide expertise on it.

E. EAPN Iceland

We work with a wide range of different parties, including both the local authorities and the ministry.

F. EAPN Austria

New and innovative methods of facilitation

Art of Hosting methods

Sociocraty

Building alliances with other NGOs and networks (Wege aus der Krise) – our good experiences

G. EAPN Sweden

H. EAPN Norway

Social political forumThe contact group between the Government and the NGOs of People facing poverty and social exclusion. Two common meetings with our 6 Working Groups, Membership meetings twice a year.

I. EAPN Finland

We have pretty good system in managing our network

J. EAPN Denmark

K. EAPN Germany

Knowledge of structural funds (mainly ESF), civil society participation in the European semester; other topics: health, employment, child poverty …

L. EAPN Spain

We believe that we have experience in both strengths identified in the previous section. We could bring good practices and people to show the keys and learning of both succesfull processes.

Also, we will provide training to all EAPN national networks on the use of ICTs and Social Media in December 2013

M. EAPN Estonia

…

12. Do you have a Training and Capacity Building agenda/plan/strategy in your network and could you share it with us? If your National Network doesn’t have one, do you see the necessity to develop one?

A. EAPN PT

Yes and we can share it.

B. EAPN CZ Rep

We have little education plan, we would like to develop a comprehensive strategy for training and capacity building, not only for workers but also for clients living in poverty and social exclusion.

C. APF Malta

Yes

D. EAPN Poland

In this moment we do a project coofinancing by Swiss Grants and in the framework of the project we have some capacity building agenda and trainings for the next year. But generally we don’t have it. Think it’s very important like also other strategies for the network.

E. EAPN Iceland

No, we don´t yet have that kind of agenda, so yes please we see a great necessity to develop one.

F. EAPN Austria

No and its no priority at the moment.

G. EAPN Sweden

Most of our work is done in “the last minute” because of lacking of available persons or resources. Most of the time we are surprised that there is so much work done, even if there is no time or person to do it…

H. EAPN Norway

Courses for people experiencing poverty and user of NAV (The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) to promote the participation

Breakfast seminars with different themes with special focus on NAV

regular meetings with the NN representatives in NAV

I. EAPN Finland

We don´t have - if we get more resources then it could be done.

J. EAPN Denmark

No

K. EAPN Germany

EAPN Germany doesn’t have one, it would be good to develop one; currently, we are working in small groups on social participation, political strategies (federal elections 2013), EAPN Germany principles and membership management

L. EAPN Spain

Our training plan is laid transversely in EAPN Spain Strategic Plan.

M. EAPN Estonia

We do train our members as much as we can.

EU 2020, the rights of the child.

We would need a training plan to make the Network functioning better as one big and joint force in order to act as a partner to the government at developing anti-poverty government policy. Today the interests are scattered and activities fragmentised.

Those who enjoy financing do not have the courage to scream as loud as those who have nothing to lose…

13. Is there anything you want to add in relation to the renewed EAPN training and capacity building agenda of EAPN?

C. APF Malta

Given the opportunity for small network to show what they are doing compared with bigger networks

Meeting with regions like Malta, Italy Spain etc

E. EAPN Iceland

It would have been helpful in the beginning to have guidelines or some sort of a checklist to work on. We would have needed help on our first application to the EAPN for money beforehand instead of realizing afterwards that it wasn’t adequate. It would have been helpful if for example Tanya could have come to give us guidance when we were one year into our work to help us evaluate and organize the work.

H. EAPN Norway

Getting more participation by people experiencing poverty and social exclusion

better understanding of family poverty and how to get out of it

Getting more participation by people experiencing poverty

K. EAPN Germany

There is a lot of need in training and capacity building. It could be helpful to exchange more the experiences amongst each other and to solve specific problems

L. EAPN Spain

M. EAPN Estonia