Civil society and poverty reduction: trends and achievements in the EU region

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2026

Authors

Lopes, Alexandra (Author) FLUP

Book

Title: Handbook on social policy and civil society

Pages: 203-214

ISBN: 978-1-0353-4159-7

Electronic ISBN: eBook 978-1-0353-4160-3; ePub 978-1-0353-8912-4

Publisher: Edward Elgar

Indexing

Crossref

Other information

DOI: 10.4337/9781035341603.00025

Abstract (EN): This chapter discusses the relationship between civil society and poverty reduction and alleviation taking into account a broader understanding of what civil society entails but considering primarily the role of established non-governmental organisations and formal institutions. The focus is on the European Union (EU) context and in particular on the roles of civil society in shaping the anti-poverty agenda at the EU level and the roles assigned to civil society in building a more cohesive society. Civil society has played multiple roles in the provision of help and direct support to those populations and groups affected by poverty (service delivery), but also in advocating for social changes and structural reforms to eradicate poverty (advocacy) and in pressuring governments and supranational governance bodies to change policies in favour of the poor (lobbying). The chapter analyses how civil society organisations operate in each of these domains and presents some examples of civil society's achievements (and failures).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific