A call for an integrated EU Anti-Poverty Strategy led by cities – Eurocities

Report on Urban Poverty in Europe and the Role of Cities in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A significant portion of Europe’s urban population, 17%, is currently at risk of poverty, presenting a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty). This report outlines the multidimensional nature of urban poverty in the European Union, its intersection with other SDGs, and presents a series of policy recommendations for an integrated EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. The strategy emphasizes the critical role of cities as primary actors in implementing solutions that align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

The Urban Nexus of Poverty and Sustainable Development

Poverty as a Multidimensional Urban Challenge

Poverty within the European Union is a complex issue extending beyond income insufficiency. It encompasses challenges related to food, energy, housing, and transport, which are intensified in urban environments due to high living costs. This situation undermines progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Rising living costs deepen inequalities and social exclusion, making the eradication of poverty in all its forms more challenging.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Vulnerable populations, including single mothers, children, migrants, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities, face intersecting disadvantages, often exacerbated by systemic discrimination.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): While cities offer access to services, they also concentrate poverty risks, evidenced by a growing number of working poor and homeless individuals.

The Strategic Role of Cities in Localising the SDGs

Cities are uniquely positioned to combat poverty and advance the SDGs. Their proximity to citizens enables the development of tailored, locally-driven social innovations. By empowering people affected by poverty, cities can lead effective anti-poverty strategies that contribute directly to building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments as envisioned in SDG 11. However, fragmented data on urban poverty currently complicates effective, evidence-based policy responses.

Policy Framework for an EU Anti-Poverty Strategy

Integrating Cities into EU Governance for SDG Achievement

To effectively address urban poverty, cities must be integral to the design and implementation of the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. This approach aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by fostering inclusive governance. It is recommended that this strategy be supported by dedicated funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework for city-led capacity building and knowledge exchange, ensuring that local actions are adequately resourced to meet EU-level targets for poverty reduction.

Proposal for an EU Mission for Cities against Poverty

To localize the ambition of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, the establishment of an “EU Mission for Cities against Poverty” is proposed. This initiative would foster integrated, place-based strategies and create a robust network of cities committed to ambitious poverty reduction policies. Such a mission would facilitate knowledge exchange and mutual support, accelerating progress towards SDG 1 and SDG 10 across Europe, in line with the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Strategic Recommendations for an SDG-Aligned EU Strategy

As EU leaders prepare to discuss the strategy, the following recommendations are put forth, structured to address the root causes and consequences of poverty in alignment with the 2030 Agenda.

1. Prevention and Early Intervention

An effective strategy must prioritise prevention to break intergenerational cycles of poverty.

1. Invest in Inclusive Education (SDG 4): Focus on children to break the generational cycle of poverty through investment in high-quality, inclusive education.
2. Promote Decent Work (SDG 8): Ensure sufficient income levels and equitable access to the labour market.
3. Address the Housing Crisis (SDG 11): Implement policies to tackle housing shortages and affordability, a cornerstone of sustainable urban living.
4. Combat Discrimination (SDG 10 & SDG 5): Recognise and address discrimination as a root cause and multiplier of poverty and inequality.

2. Supporting Pathways Out of Poverty

The strategy must create clear and accessible pathways for individuals to exit poverty.

• Tackle the non-take-up of social support and benefits.
• Strengthen Access to Quality Jobs and Skills (SDG 8): Enhance employment opportunities and skills development for vulnerable groups.
• End Homelessness (SDG 11): Promote the Housing First model and other long-term solutions.
• Support Migrants (SDG 10): Ensure the social and economic inclusion of migrants.
• Ensure Sustainable Mobility (SDG 11): Provide affordable and accessible transport for all citizens.
• Prevent over-indebtedness through financial literacy and support services.

3. Addressing the Wider Impacts of Poverty

Finally, the strategy must mitigate the broader consequences of poverty on individuals and society, addressing its impact on health (SDG 3), civic participation (SDG 16), and access to culture, ensuring a holistic approach to well-being and social inclusion.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on urban poverty in Europe addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on the multidimensional nature of poverty and the need for integrated, city-led strategies. The following SDGs are directly connected to the issues discussed:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: This is the central theme of the article. The text explicitly discusses the high percentage of urban inhabitants at risk of poverty, the need for an EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, and recommendations to prevent and alleviate poverty in all its forms.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article highlights that poverty disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including “single mothers, children, migrants, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities,” who face “intersecting forms of disadvantage” and “discrimination.” This directly relates to the goal of reducing inequalities within and among countries.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article frames poverty as an “urban phenomenon,” emphasizing that cities are where poverty risks are concentrated but also where solutions can be implemented. It discusses urban challenges like the “housing crisis,” “homelessness,” and “transport poverty,” which are core components of this SDG.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article mentions the “growing numbers of working poor” and recommends “ensuring sufficient income and access to work” and “strengthening access to quality jobs and skills” as pathways out of poverty.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: A key recommendation is to break the “generational cycle of poverty by focusing on children and investing in inclusive high-quality education,” which directly aligns with the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article makes a direct link between poverty and health, recommending that the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy should “address the consequences of poverty on health.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the problems and recommendations outlined in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article’s core focus on an EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and reducing the “17% of urban inhabitants in Europe… at risk of poverty” directly supports this target.
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all. The recommendation to tackle the “non-take-up of support” and ensure “sufficient income” aligns with strengthening social safety nets.
   • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services. This is reflected in the article’s discussion of “food, energy, housing, and transport poverty.”
2. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article’s emphasis on vulnerable groups like “migrants, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities” and the call to recognize “discrimination as a root cause and multiplier of poverty” directly addresses this target.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The article’s call to “tackle the housing crisis” and promote “long-term solutions to end homelessness” is a direct link to this target.
   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. This is explicitly mentioned in the recommendation to ensure “affordable and accessible mobility for all” to combat “transport poverty.”
4. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The recommendation to strengthen “access to quality jobs and skills” and address the issue of the “working poor” relates to this target.
5. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. The recommendation to break the “generational cycle of poverty by focusing on children and investing in inclusive high-quality education” supports this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions one explicit indicator and implies several others that can be used to measure progress:

• Explicitly Mentioned Indicator:
  • Proportion of urban population at risk of poverty: The article opens with the statistic that “17% of urban inhabitants in Europe are at risk of poverty.” This is a direct indicator corresponding to SDG Target 1.2.
• Implied Indicators:
  • Rate of child poverty: The mention of “rising rates of child poverty” implies this is a key metric to track progress on breaking the generational cycle of poverty (SDG 1, SDG 4).
  • Homelessness rate: The reference to “homeless individuals” and the call to “end homelessness” suggest that the number or proportion of homeless people is a crucial indicator (SDG 11).
  • Proportion of population unable to afford basic necessities: The article’s description of “food, energy, housing, and transport poverty” implies the need for indicators measuring access to these essential services (SDG 1, SDG 11).
  • Proportion of “working poor”: Mentioning the “growing numbers of working poor” implies that the percentage of employed people living below the poverty line is a relevant indicator (SDG 8).
  • Income and employment rates for vulnerable groups: The focus on “migrants, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities” implies that progress should be measured by tracking disparities in income, employment, and poverty rates among different demographic groups (SDG 10).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: eurocities.eu