Tackling Material Deprivation: Lessons Learned and Priorities for 2025

On the 12th of December, the Community of Practice on Material Support held the event ‘End-of-Year Meeting’, which was attended virtually by 56 participants from 17 EU Member States. The event reviewed the CoP’s progress and future plans, discussing how material support aligns with European Commission priorities. The 2025 Work Programme was presented, emphasising long-term solutions, innovation, and collaboration.

Review of 2024 CoP Work and Main Achievements

During 2024, the CoP on Material Support organised 5 fruitful meetings. To summarise them, experts emphasised these three main takeaways:

• Material support through ESF+ remains a vital tool in combating poverty and social exclusion. It provides essential assistance to meet immediate needs.
• Member States have diverse approaches to implementing material support programmes under ESF+. They tailor their food distribution, voucher systems, and technical assistance to meet their unique socio-economic conditions and the specific needs of their populations.
• The integration of accompanying measures with material support is a significant shift in addressing the root causes of poverty.  In future, the CoP intends to continue exchanging best practices.

Key highlights from the Draft Position Paper on the New MFF

During the last online meeting of the CoP on Material Support, a draft recommendation paper on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027 was presented to the participants. The paper addresses key recommendations to tackle material deprivation in the next programming period and was followed by exchanges and input from participants.

The key highlights of the recommendation paper include:

• Food and/or basic material support extension: Ensure food and material assistance remains a critical entry point to help the most vulnerable while fostering long-term solutions towards social inclusion.
• Increased funding: Respond to growing and diverse needs caused by inflation, rising costs, and multiple crises, including food insecurity.
• Flexibility and administrative simplification: Streamline administrative processes and allow programmes to adapt to evolving crises and local needs.
• Empowering civil society and end beneficiaries: Strengthen funding and decision-making roles for civil society organisations and volunteers delivering material support, as well as the active involvement of the end beneficiaries.

The recommendations aim to ensure no one is left behind by making food and/or basic material support efficient, effective, sustainable, and inclusive.

The Foundation for the Work Programme 2025

The CoP on Material Support focuses on three key priorities. First, it highlights the need for material support to extend beyond immediate needs and contribute to long-term solutions that promote social inclusion. Second, the year 2025 is crucial, as it coincides with significant EU policy developments, including the introduction of the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and discussions regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period following 2027. These milestones provide important context for the CoP’s work, ensuring alignment with broader EU priorities and opportunities to engage in these discussions. Third, it aims to evaluate and enhance innovative systems introduced under ESF+, such as voucher-based and food support programmes.

To address these areas, the programme includes targeted activities designed to foster innovation, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and equip members with the tools and knowledge needed to advance sustainable material support systems. Highlights include six key events, including joint activities with the CoP on Employment, Education, and Skills, and discussions on delivery methods, capacity building, and leveraging synergies within ESF+. Together, these efforts aim to create more coordinated, inclusive, and impactful material support systems across the EU.

In conclusion, the Community of Practice on Material Support has made significant strides throughout 2024, fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and driving forward innovative approaches to address material deprivation. As we look ahead to 2025, the CoP remains committed to strengthening material support systems across the EU, aligning with broader policy developments and working towards sustainable, long-term solutions. By continuing to exchange best practices, engage stakeholders, and respond to emerging challenges, the CoP will contribute to building more inclusive and effective support systems for those in need.