Local and regional leaders call for boosting digitalisation and use of EU funds to improve social services and combat social exclusion

Better social services to reduce regional inequalities 

SEDEC members discussed and adopted an opinion by Declan McDonnell (IE/EA), member of Galway City Council, on Addressing territorial inequalities by improving access to social services. The opinion emphasises the vital role of local authorities in ensuring equal access to social services, despite challenges such as insufficient infrastructure, lack of qualified professionals and financial constraints, especially in remote areas.  

Local leaders urged an integrated regional-development strategy promoting social inclusion, affordable housing, better public transport, and digital skills to tackle these challenges. They stated that it is essential to increase investment in poorer and more remote regions and to include measures that guarantee the participation of vulnerable communities in access to critical services. SEDEC members stressed that the digitalisation and modernisation of services, and the efficient use of EU funds, are crucial to efforts to effectively reduce poverty and social exclusion across the Union.  

Rapporteur Declan McDonnell (IE/EA): "Ensuring equal access to social services, regardless of geographic location, is essential for reducing territorial inequalities. My opinion proposes targeted investments, digitalisation, and integrated service delivery to address disparities and provide all citizens, especially those in remote or underserved areas, with the essential healthcare, education, and housing services they deserve." 

This opinion is scheduled to be adopted at the November plenary session.  

Eradicate homelessness in the EU by 2030 

Regional and local leaders debated on the homelessness crisis in the EU. Central to the discussion was the EPOCH Practice project, with the Committee of the Regions (CoR) as a strategic partner, and its potential role in supporting the EU’s ambition to eradicate homelessness by 2030. The debate underscored the need for innovative approaches in housing and social-inclusion policies. Regions and cities also emphasised the crucial role of exchanging best practices to address the structural causes of homelessness. 

EU Sports Policy: Work Plan 2024-2027

SEDEC members also debated on the new EU Work Plan for Sport 2024-2027 and the SHARE 2.0 initiative, which aims to contribute to the implementation of the EU work plan and its priority areas: integrity and values in sport, the socio-economic dimension of sport and the role of sport in promoting physical activity. Participants emphasised the need to encourage the practice of sport, bearing in mind that only one in four Europeans practice a sport regularly. The debate centred on the fundamental role of sport in promoting social inclusion, health and well-being and the importance of supporting regional initiatives that promote sport, especially in local communities. 

Background  

• EPOCH Practice, officially launched in January 2024, is the latest development of the efforts stemming from the Lisbon Declaration, which created the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, and of which the CoR is a signatory.