Intergroup event - Fighting poverty through access to essential services: the role of SGIs in the future EU Anti-Poverty Strategy

Today, SGI Europe, together with members of the SGIs Network and Members of the European Parliament from the Intergroup on Services of General Interest and the Social Economy, organised a debate on the forthcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.

The event brought together representatives of European institutions, Members of the European Parliament, providers of services of general interest, and civil society stakeholders to discuss the crucial role of access to essential services in combating poverty and social exclusion.

The discussion was opened by MEP Benedetta Scuderi (Greens/EFA, IT), Vice-Chair of the Intergroup, who stressed that universal, high-quality access to essential services is a precondition for ensuring dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all European citizens. She emphasised that the fight against poverty must remain at the forefront as negotiations for the next MFF commence.

In his keynote intervention, MEP João Oliveira (GUE/NGL, PT), rapporteur of the European Parliament's own-initiative report on developing a new anti-poverty strategy, underlined the need for an ambitious and coordinated European response capable of addressing the multiple dimensions of poverty. He urged the need to see poverty “not only as a lack of income, but as a violation of dignity and human rights”.

Representing the European Commission, Jiří Švarc (DG EMPL) presented the state of play of the forthcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, due to be published on 6 May 2026. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of fully integrating the dimension of essential services into the Strategy's preparation as one of three key pillars. Švarc also highlighted the territorial aspects of poverty and access to services, underlining the need for support to prevent people from entering into situations of vulnerability.

The panel discussion, moderated by MEP Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA, FR), Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Fighting against Poverty, brought together representatives of services of general interest providers from different sectors. Participants emphasised that access to essential services – including energy, water, housing, transport, healthcare, education and digital connectivity – is a decisive tool for preventing and reducing poverty.

SGI Europe members also addressed the event, with Sandra Olbrechts (BDEW, German Association of Energy and Water Industries) detailing the challenges faced by the water sector in keeping water affordable for citizens while meeting increased investment needs, and Giacomo Zucchelli (A2A, Italian utility) highlighting the need for better data on energy poverty and gave examples of how energy providers can provide support to those affected by energy poverty.

Artur Perchel, Deputy Director at UITP, and Alberto Mazzola, Executive Director at CER, both underlined, from the perspectives of public transport and railways, the importance of connectivity for accessing essential services and participating in society.

MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D, IE), shadow rapporteur of the European Parliament's own-initiative report, also intervened during the debate and reiterated the need to ensure that the future European strategy includes concrete measures to strengthen access to services of general interest.

The interactive exchange with participants confirmed the broad consensus on the need to recognise essential services as a cornerstone of the future EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Concluding the event, MEP Maravillas Abadía Jover (EPP, ES) called on the European Commission to fully take into account the role of essential services in preparing the Strategy, so that no one is left behind. “Universal, affordable and high-quality access to essential services must be at the centre of the future EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.

SGI Europe will continue to contribute to the European debate in the coming months and to work with the European institutions to ensure that the future Anti-Poverty Strategy fully recognises the role of services of general interest.