Poverty affects 72 million European citizens, i.e. 16% of the population. Although Europe has been concerned by this question for many years, it has only a few levers for action available to it due to the principle of subsidiarity which applies.

In Note 31 entitled "Europe and Poverty: realities" published by the Robert Schuman Foundation, Sarah Bouquerel and Pierre-Alain de Malleray retrace the development of the combat against poverty in the EU. From initial resolutions through to the open method of coordination, including the effect of the CAP and structural funds, the authors comment on European actions which, in their opinion, will only become truly efficient in the presence of a real policy for growth and the setting of objectives that are both restricting for States and have figures set on them.
Read more: http://www.robert-schuman.org/gb/notes/note31an.htm