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10 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MAY 2026 OPINION In Europe we rise together: A full-scale war against poverty and social exclusion Roxana Minzatu Executive vice-president of the European Commission for social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness EUROPE'S promise is to stand by its people in their hour of need. In an age shaped by change and unexpected shocks, Europe needs to be prepared to empow- er and protect every citizen. Today, one in five Europe- ans is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. This number is unacceptably high and may get worse due to geopolitical shocks or disruptive, insuffi- ciently managed labour market transitions. If Europe does not act deci- sively to prevent and combat poverty, social fragility could turn into a full-blown social emergency, with serious con- sequences for all other Euro- pean priorities, from compet- itiveness to preparedness and democratic resilience. A union that fails to protect its peo- ple can hardly expect to enjoy their confidence. Combating poverty is a collective respon- sibility and requires efforts at all levels, including at EU level, where the Union has a strong supporting and coordinating role. So, to the question: Can we afford to wage a full war on poverty now? The clear answer is: Europe cannot afford not to. That is why, on 6 May, the European Commission put for- ward its first-ever Anti-Pover- ty Strategy, structured around three pillars of action: Prevent- ing housing exclusion, empow- ering people to escape poverty through quality jobs, and free- ing children and young people from the burden of intergener- ational poverty. Preventing housing exclusion Without a roof over your head, there is no foundation on which to build a life. Students, single parents, low-income workers — too many are one shock away from losing their homes. The commission rec- ommends concrete measures such as early warning systems, targeted advisory and person- alised support, including debt counselling, rent arrears sup- port, mediation between ten- ants and landlords, emergency financial assistance, and target- ed outreach to people leaving institutions. We will also help govern- ments expand affordable and social housing by making bet- ter use of EU funds, leveraging public and private investment, supporting the renovation and use of vacant housing, and pro- moting models such as social and cooperative housing. In the end, the goal is simple— fewer people at risk, fewer peo- ple homeless, and a housing system that works. Quality jobs Quality jobs—with fair wages and good working conditions— can empower people to truly stand on their own feet. Today, one in 12 workers is at risk of poverty, despite having a job. Another big number sounds the alarm—more than 50 mil- lion people of working age re- main on the side lines and at greater risk of social exclusion, mostly women, young people, Roma and migrants. This is a huge loss on so many levels. It's a loss for the people themselves, who are denied the chance to build a dignified future; for Eu- ropean businesses, which are struggling to find the talent they need; and for the younger generation, whose prospects in life are shaped by whether their parents have a job. To respond to this challenge, and in con- sultation with social partners, the commission will prepare new legislation to ensure that the right support to access the labour market, adapted to each person's specific needs, is in place in every member state, so that those who can work have a real opportunity to do so. Protecting children and young people How can a union with a strong social model and a GDP of €18 trillion look away from the fact that 19 million children are at risk of poverty, and that this number is increasing instead of going down? Poverty robs chil- dren not only of food, educa- tion, medical care or security, but most importantly, of hope. And too often, it sets them on a path towards a lifetime of ex- clusion. The European Child Guaran- tee has already helped expand access to essential services. But we must make sure it delivers real change in every vulnera- ble child's life. One solution we propose is the European Child Guarantee Card: a simple digi- tal tool to help children in need access the support they are entitled to, while also making this support better coordinat- ed, more effective and more visible. At the same time, we must stand by vulnerable chil- dren as they prepare to enter adulthood. We will help mem- ber states bridge support from childhood to youth schemes focused on skills, training and work. All this requires investment. The scale of what is possible is clear. Investing an additional 0.25% of the EU's GDP could help 18.5 million people leave poverty behind. We all need to do our part. Later this year, the commis- sion will launch the Coalition Against Poverty, bringing to- gether businesses and philan- thropic organisations around concrete commitments to reduce poverty. In the com- ing months, we will also work with international financial institutions, such as the Eu- ropean Investment Bank, to roll out new dedicated financ- ing tools. None of this will be possible without the close in- volvement of local authorities and civil society organisations, which know the realities on the ground best. Europe has always defined itself not only by its economic strength, but also by its social model and its solidarity. In the near and medium term, these values and commitments will be put to the test. The answer we give will shape our econo- mies and the very trust our cit- izens place in Europe itself. A stronger Europe is not one where some succeed while oth- ers fall behind. It is one where we rise together. A stronger Europe is not one where some succeed while others fall behind. It is one where we rise together