POVERTY WATCH(ES) 2023

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IFSW Europe

Dear colleagues,

Our colleagues who represent IFSW Europe within EAPN are seeking your assistance.

We kindly request that you complete the attached SURVEY and return it to this email address by October 2nd.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Birthe Povlsen at mail@wunsch.dk.

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Essential services are services of general interest of an economic and social nature, which are essential to the lives of the population and where the public authorities must ensure adequate standards for all. They cover a broad range of activities and vital services which lie at the heart of European social protection systems.

To EAPN, they include: energy, transport, financial services, digital communications, education, healthcare, housing, food, healthcare, water, sanitation, and social services. Access to such services is a fundamental social right and their accessibility, affordability and adequacy should not be subject to other conditions. They should be a complement to effective social protection systems and enabling minimum income schemes.

Name & Surname *

Email *

Country *

Name of the organization *

1. Are there new rules in place when it comes to accessing essential services? What, if any, are the problems related to accessing essential services in your country?

Which of the following best describes the current situation regarding accessing essential services in your country?

Yes, there are recent changes to rules to access essential services and they are reducing access

Yes, there are recent changes to rules to access essential services and they are making access easier

Yes, there are recent changes to rules to access essential services and there are no apparent changes to access

Yes, there are recent change to rules to access essential services but their impact is not clear

No there are no recent changes to rules to access essential services

Other:

Required

Please describe any changes to rules making access to essential service more difficult

2. How are current rules on access to essential services affecting the family/community that you/social workers in your country work with?

It places significant financial burdens on families and the community.

It has a minimal impact on the family/community.

It results in better cooperation and resource sharing among community members.

It forces families to seek alternative solutions and support outside the community.

It leads to a decline in overall community well-being and health.

It encourages families and the community to advocate for better services.

It fosters resilience and self-reliance within the family/community.

It meets people’s needs effectively most of the time

Other:

Required

Please add explanation including whether things are getting better or worse under current policies etc

What remains to be improved?

3. What is the impact of digitalization on access to essential social services?

It has significantly improved access by making services more efficient and accessible online.

It has had no noticeable impact on access to essential social services.

It has increased disparities in access, leaving some individuals or communities behind.

It has made access more convenient but less personalized.

It has led to increased privacy concerns and security risks for service users.

It has streamlined administrative processes, reducing bureaucracy and wait times.

It has fostered greater transparency and accountability in service delivery.

It has created new challenges for individuals who lack digital literacy or access to technology.

It has facilitated remote access for individuals who live in remote or underserved areas.

It has improved data collection and analysis for better resource allocation.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

4. How is your country protecting essential services?

Through the use of private-public contracts.

Through a combination of private-public contracts and austerity measures.

By increasing government funding and investment.

By implementing regulatory reforms to improve service efficiency.

By expanding partnerships with non-profit organizations and community groups.

Through international cooperation and assistance.

By implementing austerity measures.

Option 8

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

5. Regarding the implementation of austerity measures, which of the following situations applies to your country?

Reduced Government Spending: Governments may cut spending on various programs, including social welfare, healthcare, education, infrastructure projects, and public-sector jobs.

Wage Freezes or Reductions: Austerity measures can involve freezing or reducing public-sector wages and benefits, including pensions.

Tax Increases: Governments may raise taxes, such as income taxes, value-added taxes (VAT), or sales taxes, to increase revenue.

Privatization: Selling off state-owned assets or privatizing public services is another austerity measure aimed at reducing government involvement in the economy.

Pension Reform: Governments may adjust pension systems, including raising the retirement age, reducing pension benefits, or changing the eligibility criteria.

Subsidy Reduction: Reducing or eliminating subsidies on goods and services, such as fuel, electricity, or food, can be part of austerity measures.

Public Sector Job Reduction: Reducing the size of the public-sector workforce through layoffs or hiring freezes.

Cuts to Social Welfare Programs: Reducing or eliminating social safety net programs like unemployment benefits, food assistance, and housing support.

Restructuring of Healthcare and Education: Reorganizing and potentially reducing funding for healthcare and education systems

Efficiency Measures: Implementing reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations and service delivery.

Option 11

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

6. Regarding the EPSR Targets above, can you describe what has been implemented and/or proposed, with a focus on key examples relating to people experiencing poverty (PeP) you work with, such as housing, food, energy, health, and digitalization?

Significant progress has been made across all mentioned areas.

Implementation and proposals have primarily centered around housing and health.

There have been initiatives primarily related to food and energy.

Digitalization has been the main focus of implementation and proposals.

Limited progress or proposals have been observed in addressing the needs of people experiencing poverty in these areas.

The focus has primarily been on energy and health

Housing and digitalization have been the central areas of attention.

Efforts have concentrated on food and housing.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

7. Do PeP (people experiencing poverty) face discrimination in accessing goods and essential services, considering factors such as gender, sexual orientation, racial and ethnic identity, religion and belief, disability, age, housing status, migration status, and nationality?

Yes, discrimination is a significant issue across multiple categories.

Discrimination is primarily observed in specific categories, such as gender and race.

Discrimination is limited and not widespread across these categories.

No significant discrimination has been reported in accessing goods and essential services.

I am not aware of any discrimination in accessing goods and essential services among PeP.

Discrimination varies depending on local or regional factors.

Discrimination is more pronounced in accessing specific services like healthcare and housing.

Discrimination is influenced by socioeconomic factors rather than identity categories.

Efforts are underway to address discrimination and improve access for PeP.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

8. Do PeP (people experiencing poverty) face discrimination in accessing social benefits and/or accessing and staying in the labor market?

Yes, discrimination is a significant barrier in both accessing social benefits and the labor market.

Discrimination is primarily observed in accessing social benefits but not as much in the labor market.

Discrimination is primarily observed in the labor market but not as much in accessing social benefits.

No significant discrimination has been reported in accessing social benefits or the labor market among PeP.

I am not aware of any discrimination in accessing social benefits or the labor market among PeP

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

9. What is the status of the EU Child Guarantee in [COUNTRY]?

The EU Child Guarantee has been fully implemented.

The EU Child Guarantee is in the process of implementation.

The EU Child Guarantee is being planned but not yet implemented.

There is a Child Guarantee National Action Plan, but its status is unknown.

There is no Child Guarantee National Action Plan in place.

The EU Child Guarantee has been partially implemented, with some initiatives in progress.

The EU Child Guarantee has faced delays or challenges in implementation.

I am not aware of the status of the EU Child Guarantee in [COUNTRY].

Other:

Required

10. Regarding the EPSR (European Pillar of Social Rights) Action Plan, can you describe what has been the impact (positive and negative) of the implemented measures? What are the gaps?

11. How are social benefits and essential services financed and allocated?

Social benefits and essential services are primarily financed through government funds and allocated based on need.

A mix of government funds, private contributions, and international aid finance social benefits and essential services, with allocation based on various criteria.

Social benefits are mainly funded by taxes, while essential services are funded through a combination of taxes and user fees, with allocation influenced by government priorities.

Social benefits and essential services rely on private sector funding and market mechanisms for allocation.

Social benefits are funded through social insurance contributions, while essential services are financed through general taxation.

Social benefits and essential services are primarily funded through regional or local governments

I am not aware of the specific financing and allocation mechanisms for social benefits and essential services.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

12. How does the tax-benefit system target the poor, and is the tax system progressive and fair?

The tax-benefit system effectively targets the poor through progressive taxation and comprehensive social welfare programs

The tax-benefit system partially targets the poor but needs improvements to be more effective.

The tax system is progressive, but there are limitations in the fairness of social welfare programs.

The tax system is regressive, and social welfare programs need significant reform to better target the poor

The tax-benefit system is neither progressive nor fair in its current state.

In some European countries, the tax-benefit system effectively targets the poor, while in others, it needs substantial reform.

Tax and benefit policies vary widely across European countries, resulting in a mix of progressive and regressive systems.

I am not aware of the specific details of how the tax-benefit system operates in this regard.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

13. Does your country overly rely on reforms to social protection as opposed to addressing tax evasion? What reforms is your country taking that will impact coverage and accessibility of social protection?

Yes, the country relies more on social protection reforms than addressing tax evasion.

No, the country actively addresses tax evasion and implements social protection reforms concurrently.

Social protection reforms and addressing tax evasion are equally prioritized in the country.

The country primarily focuses on addressing tax evasion rather than social protection reforms.

The approach to addressing tax evasion and social protection reforms varies among different regions or localities within the country.

The country collaborates with international organizations and neighboring countries to address these issues collectively.

I am not aware of the specific priorities and reforms in my country regarding social protection and tax evasion.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

14. Is there a housing crisis in [COUNTRY], and what are the effects of it on the people who use your service?

Yes, there is a severe housing crisis, and it has significant adverse effects on the people we serve.

Yes, there is a housing crisis, but its effects on the people we serve are relatively minor.

No, there is no housing crisis.

The housing situation varies across regions, with some areas experiencing a crisis while others do not.

The housing crisis is primarily concentrated in urban areas.

Efforts are underway to address the housing crisis, but progress is slow.

I am not aware of the current housing situation or its effects on the people who use our service.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

15. Are there food banks in your country, and in your experience, to what extent are they used?

Yes, there are food banks in the country, and they are widely used by those in need.

Yes, there are food banks, but their usage is limited or insufficient to meet the demand.

No, there are no food banks in the country.

The presence of food banks varies by region, with some areas having them while others do not.

Food banks are available, but there is a stigma associated with using them, which affects their utilization.

I am not aware of the presence or usage of food banks in the country.

Other:

Required

Can you add more information?

We thank you very much!

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