Regulation 2021/177 - Amendment of Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 as regards the introduction of specific measures for addressing the crisis associated with the outbreak of COVID-19 - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 53/1

Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) lays down the rules applicable to the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (the ‘Fund’).

On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights (the ‘Pillar’) was proclaimed jointly by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a response to social challenges in the Union. The Pillar sets out 20 principles, which are divided into three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; and social protection and inclusion. Those 20 principles should guide the actions in response to the crisis associated with the outbreak of COVID-19 in order to ensure a socially fair and resilient recovery.

Member States have been affected by the crisis associated with the outbreak of COVID-19 in an unprecedented manner. The crisis has led to severe economic and social consequences and has exacerbated the situation of more than 20 % of the Union population who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, has deepened social divides, and has increased job losses, unemployment rates and inequalities. This has created an exceptional situation which needs to be addressed urgently, with specific measures in line with the Pillar. The crisis also has a disproportionate socioeconomic impact on women and girls and is leading to an increasing feminisation of poverty. The Commission and Member States should continue to ensure equality between men and women and the integration of both the non-discrimination principle and the gender perspective during the different stages and in all activities of the Fund, in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

The COVID-19 crisis is having a particularly negative impact on the Fund and the ability of partner organisations to deliver support to the people most heavily affected by the crisis. Since its establishment in 2014, the Fund has been able to benefit 13 million people a year, including approximatively 4 million children. Unfortunately, the number of people suffering from food and material deprivation has been increasing due to the crisis and the most deprived persons are facing particular risks and further hardships. Furthermore, the crisis puts the social inclusion of the most deprived persons at higher risk. Member States are thus facing an increase in the demand for support by the Fund.

In order to redress the huge shocks to the economy and society, which have triggered additional demands on the welfare systems of Member States and have seriously affected the functioning of the internal market due to exceptional restrictions that have been put in place by Member States to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, the European Council welcomed, on 23 April 2020, a ‘Roadmap for recovery’ with a strong investment component, called for the establishment of a European Union Recovery Instrument and tasked the Commission to analyse the needs so that the...