The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) is the largest European network of national, regional and local networks, involving anti-poverty NGOs and grassroot groups as well as European Organisations, active in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. It was established in 1990.

Their network

At present, EAPN is a network of 31 national networks of voluntary organisations and grassroots groups and 13 European organisations. See their members‘ page.

The membership of EAPN is involved in a variety of activities aimed at combating poverty and social exclusion including, education and training activities, service provision and activities aimed at the participation and empowerment of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

Together the membership of EAPN aims to put the fight against poverty high on the agenda of the EU and to ensure cooperation at EU level aimed at the eradication of poverty and social exclusion.

Their work is carried out by their members, split into specific statutory entities and task forces. These groups feed into their European level work their national perspectives, individual expertise or the specific focus of the European organisation they are affiliated to. See here structures of EAPN.

EAPN has consultative status with the Council of Europe, and is a founding member of the Social Platform (Platform of European Social NGOs)

Mission
In order to achieve their ambitions, they have set themselves the following mission:

• To promote and enhance the effectiveness of actions to eradicate poverty and prevent social exclusion;
• To raise awareness around poverty and social exclusion
• To empower the people living in poverty and social exclusion
• To lobby for and with people and groups facing poverty and social exclusion. EAPN includes the objectives of gender equality and non discrimination in all its areas of work.

EAPN includes the objectives of gender equality and non discrimination in all its areas of work.

Their vision & values

It is unacceptable that over 120 million people are living in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion of in the European Union. They are committed to the eradication of poverty and aim to put the fight against poverty and social exclusion at the top of the political agenda of the EU. 

Their vision

They are working for a Social Europe free of poverty and social exclusion with access to economic, social and cultural rights for all.

To achieve this they seek:

• a fair distribution of wealth,
• accessible quality employment,
• high levels of social protection,
• the combat of discrimination,
• and the meaningful participation -through the organisations in which they participate- of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

Their values

They believe that poverty and social exclusion:

• are a denial of fundamental human rights and thus a failure to respect and protect human dignity;
• arise from complex and multidimensional processes that cannot be dealt with in isolation or on the margins.

They believe:

• in the possibility to achieve a better sharing of wealth, opportunities and resources;
• in gender equality;
• in respect for cultural and religious diversity and non-discrimination on the grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or social origin;
• in the organisation of their work in a democratic and transparent way;
• that people have the right to influence and participate in the decisions that affect them and to have their views and experiences listened to and acted on;
• in seeking to work in partnership with other actors sharing a common vision including actors within; state authorities, public sector bodies, European Union Institutions and with trade unions and employers and with other NGOs;
• in the independence of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).