FEBA Annual Forum on Food Aid and Social Inclusion 2026
14 July 2026 | 15:00 – 17:30 | In person and online
🔗Register here if you’d like to attend in person (places are limited and registration is required)
🔗Watch the live stream on YouTube if you are unable to join us in Brussels
On 14 July, FEBA will bring together EU policymakers, civil society organisations, and social partners at the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss the role of ESF+ in advancing social inclusion and poverty reduction. The event will showcase evidence from FEBA’s latest ESF+ implementation report and foster dialogue on how the new EU Anti-Poverty Strategy can strengthen efforts to reduce poverty and social exclusion across Europe.
Moderator: Ignazio Corrao, Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer, FEBA
Agenda
15:00–15:10 | Welcome and Opening
Opening remarks
- Danilo Della Valle, Member of the European Parliament, Vice Chair Intergroup Against Poverty
- Esteban Arriaga, CEO, FEBA
- Ignazio Corrao, Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager FEBA (moderator)
Panel 1 (15:10–16:15)
ESF+ Contribution to Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Implementation
15:10–15:25 | Setting the Scene
- Simona Pulbere, DG EMPL (ESF+ Material Assistance Implementation)
- Marit Maij, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur on ESF post 2027
- David Casa, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur on ESF post 2027
15:25–16:05 | Country and Practitioner Roundtable
- FEBA – Presentation of the ESF+ Implementation Report
Luisa Fadel, Data Research Officer - Experiences from FEBA Members:
- Etienne Rubens, Belgium
- Tom Hillemans, The Netherlands
- Jean Rodesch, Luxembourg
- Isabel Jonet, Portugal (online)
- Chez Nous – Operational delivery perspective
16:05–16:15 | Moderated Discussion & Q&A
Panel 2 (16:20–17:20)
Implementing the New EU Anti-Poverty Strategy: Aligning Policy Priorities and Funding
16:20–16:30 | Policy Framing
- Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic, Director for Social Rights and Inclusion, DG EMPL (online)
Headline overview of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy: priorities and implementation approach
16:30–17:15 | Roundtable
- João Oliveira, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur on the Anti Poverty Strategy
- Jessica Machacova, Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer, EAPN
- Heather Roy, Secretary General, Eurodiaconia
- Eva Reina, Policy & Advocacy Director, Caritas
- Kinga Albert, Social Inclusion Officer, Red Cross
17:15–17:25 | Moderated Discussion & Q&A
17:25–17:30 | Conclusions and Takeaways
Closing remarks and key takeaways.
