Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Our values
The Emmaus movement aims to tackle poverty through direct action and by fighting the causes of poverty with awareness raising initiatives, advocacy work and solidarity.
Solidarity Ragpickers and Builders
From the very start of our movement Emmaus’ initiatives focused on two main areas: welcoming the homeless and launching income-generating activities to help these people find dignity and live off the fruit of their labours (mainly through activities involving reuse and recycling).
The Emmaus groups offer solidarity using the profits from their activities, helping others to avoid falling into poverty. The groups regularly support other associations by donating equipment or by making a financial contribution. Some of our volunteer-led groups (mainly in northern Europe) focus almost entirely on international solidarity initiatives.
© Emmaus Preston
Welcome and reinsertion
The most commonly-known and most widespread, in Europe at least, of the different types of Emmaus groups is the Emmaus community. This model allows people who have been excluded from society to take back control of their lives by living and working together as a group. The communities also offer solidarity to those who are suffering the most.
A multi-facetted welcome
But the Emmaus groups have created many different ways of providing welcome to those who need it: temporary shelter, more permanent housing, get-back-to-work schemes, etc.
What these different initiatives have in common is that the person being welcomed will always have an active role and that the group will always adapt the activities to the needs of the person in question.
Political Campaigning and Working as part of a Network
In order to better tackle the causes of poverty Emmaus Europe has joined the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN).
Alongside such partners we can speak out at the European Union, ensuring that the voice of people living in poverty situations is heard by such institutions. The goal of these efforts is to influence policy-making in order to reduce the level of poverty in Europe.
Housing first
Emmaus defends a policy of long-term housing for people in street situations. On this matter the Abbé Pierre Foundation, named after the founder of Emmaus, leads very active advocacy work in France and also provides funding for projects led by the Emmaus groups, notably in Europe. On the European level the foundation works alongside FEANTSA (the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless).
Solidarity Action on the European Level
Emmaus Europe coordinates the solidarity initiatives led on the European level by sending the groups an annual call for projects for any initiatives which may require support. Other interested European groups who can afford to do so then provide a financial contribution to these projects.
The Pooling of Resources
Emmaus Europe also serves as an intermediary between groups which collect a lot of material (furniture, objects, clothing, etc.) and those who only collect little, helping to redistribute our resources so that all of our groups can develop their activities.
Our various stances
Ukraine
A meeting to underline our support for Ukraine
Emmaus Europe held a virtual meeting on 24 February 2025 between the representatives of Emmaus Oselya (Lviv, Ukraine) and Emmaus Movement stakeholders who wanted to hear news of the group, and gain a better understanding of the reality of daily life in Ukraine.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Ukraine
News from Ukraine
Over 1000 days on since the start of the large-scale conflict on 24 February 2022, we bring you an update on the actions taken by Emmaus Oselya (Lviv). The group continues to run projects to assist the most vulnerable thanks to their determination and the support of all the Emmaus groups through the Ukraine Fund, managed by Emmaus Europe.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
European Union
European Commission 2024-2029 : Austerity and competitiveness
We now know the list of European Commissioners put forward for the 2024-2029 term of office. It is no great surprise that the European Commission is heading in a worrying direction for the future of our activities and our values.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
France
Emmaus Campus: young people take centre stage!
European young people are increasingly affected by precariousness and the Emmaus movement is seeking ways to meet their needs. This idea also involves reviewing our practices to allow young activists to join us. In Paris, the Emmaus Défi group is trying to meet this twofold challenge!
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Summer camps: committed youth and new vocations
Summer camps have been at the heart of the Emmaus movement since the 1960s. These gatherings have shaped the movement as it is today and were the starting point for many “vocations” within Emmaus. Let us take a look at how these social and solidarity events work.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
European Union
European elections: a crucial issue for Emmaus
Between 6th and 9th June 2024, European Union citizens will elect the MEPs who will represent them at the European Parliament for the next five years. These elections will largely determine what Europe will look like over the coming years.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Geographical collectives: a key event in the Emmaus year
In March 2024, two important events were held for Emmaus Europe groups: the Poland-Ukraine Collective and Romania Collective. These meetings offered a chance to tackle the thorny issue of business models for groups in these regions, in light of the challenges they face, whether political, economic or legal.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Ukraine
Emmaus Oselya: two years of war, two years of resistance!
Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine began on 24th February 2022. For the last two years the Emmaus Oselya group has been putting up daily resistance in Lviv with its own weapons: solidarity, mutual support, and unconditional welcome of vulnerable people; along with ideas and initiatives to keep helping those who suffer most.
