Social cohesion is one of the declared objectives of the European Union and, with some 16 per cent of EU citizens at risk of poverty, the need to fight poverty and social exclusion continues as a major challenge. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the EU Social Inclusion Process, the means by which it hopes to meet this objective, and explores the challenges ahead at local, regional, national, and EU levels. It sets out concrete proposals for taking the Process forward, and provides an analysis of policy formulation and assessment. Setting out the evolution and current state of EU coop ... More

Social cohesion is one of the declared objectives of the European Union and, with some 16 per cent of EU citizens at risk of poverty, the need to fight poverty and social exclusion continues as a major challenge. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the EU Social Inclusion Process, the means by which it hopes to meet this objective, and explores the challenges ahead at local, regional, national, and EU levels. It sets out concrete proposals for taking the Process forward, and provides an analysis of policy formulation and assessment. Setting out the evolution and current state of EU cooperation in social policy, the book examines what can be learned about poverty and social exclusion from the EU commonly agreed indicators. Taking the position of outside, but informed, observers, the authors explore the further development of the common indicators, including the implications of Enlargement, and consider the challenges of advancing the Social Inclusion Process – strengthening policy analysis, embedding the Process in domestic policies, and making it more effective. Proposing the setting of targets and restructuring of National Action Plans and their implementation, they emphasise the need for widespread ‘ownership’ of the Process at the domestic and EU level, and for it to demonstrate significant progress in reducing poverty and social exclusion.