EU to tell countries to fight poverty — without offering fresh cash – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — The European Commission will on Wednesday ask EU countries to eradicate poverty, arguing that governments can access the money to act if they use existing EU funds more effectively.

The plan, set out in the Commission’s first anti-poverty strategy and seen by POLITICO, will urge governments to better coordinate national policies, engage young people, support those living paycheck to paycheck and review protections for older and other vulnerable people.

But for now the strategy comes without a fresh cash injection — and critics say the effort won’t succeed unless the EU backs it with targeted funding and gives the Commission a stronger role to ensure capitals follow through.