About

Across Europe, people increasingly feel that the system is no longer delivering what they need. The rising cost of living, growing inequality and economic insecurity have shaken people’s trust in institutions and challenged the foundations of social cohesion.

The first part of the session will explore socio-economic inequality as a systemic challenge, with particular attention paid to how different pressures intersect, including:

  • housing affordability and insecurity;
  • labour market precarity and in-work poverty;
  • rising energy costs and other cost-of-living pressures;
  • unequal access to public services; and
  • regional and intergenerational inequalities.

Rather than focusing on sector-specific policy tools, the discussion will address the underlying conditions required for Europe’s social model to deliver fairness and security in practice.

The second part of the session will examine the Affordable Housing Plan through a tenants’ perspective, exploring what it delivers for tenants, and how it can contribute to improving affordability across Europe.

Agenda

16:15 - 16:25

Opening remarks Study on Anti-Poverty commissioned by the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ group

16:25 - 16:55

Panel discussion

Debate addressing:

  • Where the European system is failing citizens today;
  • How socioeconomic inequalities intersect;
  • What a New European Social Contract must deliver to restore trust.

Speakers:

  • Cinzia Del Rio – EESC Member, President of the SOC section
  • Borja Giménez Larraz – Member of European Parliament
  • Antoni Abat – Distinguished Researcher at the Institut d’Estudis Europeus (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

Moderator: Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General of the European Movement International

16:55 - 17:10

Q&A with participants

17:10 - 17:15

Closing remarks and transition to the second part of the session

17:15 - 17:20

Opening Remarks and outline of the main points of the EU Affordable Housing Plan

17:20 - 17:55

Panel discussion

  • Assess the Affordable Housing Plan’s relevance and potential impact for tenants and in general on housing affordability in the EU.
  • Identify key conditions to ensure long-term affordability and security of tenure.
  • Highlight the importance of involving tenants and tenant organizations in implementation.

Speakers:

  • Gabriele Bischoff, member of the European Parliament
  • Emiliano Rocchetti, Policy Officer at the International Union of Tenants
  • TBC

Moderator: Martina Corti, Social Affairs Officer at SOLIDAR & SOLIDAR Foundation

17:55 - 18:00

Q&A with participants

18:10 - 18:15

Closing remarks

SPEAKERS

Cinzia Del Rio

EESC Member, President of the SOC section

Before becoming President of the SOC section, she has been the Director of the international department of UIL (Italian Labour Union) until March 2023. She has also been an active member of the SOC section, having been rapporteur of important opinions addressing among others issues linked to the European Pilar of Social Rights. She became a member of the EESC in 2015 and has also been active in the INT and ECO sections.

Borja Giménez Larraz

Member of the European Parliament, European People’s Party

Mr. Gimenez was elected member of the European Parliament in 2024. Prior to that, he served as legal advisor to the People’s Party’s MEPs from 2014 to 2019, and as advisor to MEP Javier Zarzalejos from 2019 to 2024.

Antoni Abat i Ninet

Distinguished Researcher at the Institut d’Estudis Europeus (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

Antoni Abat i Ninet is a Distinguished Researcher at the Institut d’Estudis Europeus (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and a Talent “Banco de Santander” Fellow. He is from 03/24 – 03/27 Scientific Coordinator and P.I. of the Horizon Europe: “Express 2 Specify and Protect the EU Social Contract” grant agreement No 101132426. Prof. Abat is also a researcher at the Arial University Center for the Research and Study of Genocide.

 

Gabriele Bischoff

Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

Gabriele Bischoff is the Vice-President of Europa Union Deutschland (UEF Germany), as well as an MEP in S&D group. She is the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, and is a member of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union and Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. She recently took over the rotating Presidency of the parliamentary intergroup.

Petros Fassoulas

Secretary General, European Movement International

Petros Fassoulas has been the Secretary General of the European Movement International since July 2015. Before that Petros headed the European Movement UK for 3 years. Previously Petros worked as ACCA’s Head of Public Affairs, Europe. He has also worked as EU Affairs Adviser at the UK’s Financial Services Authority and before that he was EU Affairs Adviser at the UK Parliament.

Martina Corti

Social Affairs Officer at SOLIDAR & SOLIDAR Foundation.

Martina Corti is Social Affairs Policy Officer at SOLIDAR which she joined in 2020. Her work focuses on topics such as housing, fair working conditions and fight against poverty. She has an academic background in public policies and international studies and previous work experience in the NGO sector in the realm of social justice.

Emiliano Rocchetti

Policy Officer at the International Union of Tenants

Emiliano graduated from the University of Bologna with a master’s degree in Diplomatic and International Studies. He started his career in Brussels as trainee at the Region Emilia-Romagna EU Delegation, where he focused on energy policy and regional development. At the International Union of Tenants, he is working on policies related to housing affordability, security of tenure, tenant protection, just transition and the fight against energy poverty. He actively participates in advocacy and representation activities to promote the interests of tenants within the EU institutions.

Anna Iafisco

Policy Advisor on Housing and Just Transition at Eurocities

Anna works at the intersection of cities and EU policymaking, focusing on housing, energy poverty, and social inclusion, drawing on a background in economic policy. Based in Brussels at Eurocities, she helps bring city perspectives into European decision-making, collaborating closely with EU institutions, city leaders, and international partners. She regularly contributes to public discussions, events, and media on housing and social issues.

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