In Europe, 119 million people live in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion, earning under 60% of the average national income in their countries. Among them are poor children, unemployed young adults and the working poor, spread out across the EU. In 2010 the “European Economic and Social Committee” launched “Europe 2020” – an initiative aiming to lift 20 million people out of poverty by the year 2020.

A journey through Italy, Portugal and Ireland investigates the causes of poverty while challenging politicians and economic experts on the subject. Can Europe win its fight against poverty? Is there a European master plan for structural change – or have 119 million people simply been left behind? And what is the price Europe will ultimately have to pay for this?

As working conditions in Europe become ever more precarious, and layoffs more frequent, the EU faces a crisis of confidence from those members who feel unrepresented and disadvantaged. Poverty plays a decisive role here – it poses a fundamental threat to the European Project.

Directed by: Mirella Pappalardo
Written by: Mareike Müller & Mirella Pappalardo
Camera: Knut Schmitz
Editor: Thomas Wellmann
Executive Producer: Antje Boehmert
Commissioning Editor SWR/ARTE: Bernd Seidl
Executive Producer First Hand Films: Esther van Messel, Gitte Hansen

Produced by DOCDAYS Production in co-production with SWR in collaboration with ARTE. World Sales: First Hand Films. Broadcasted on: ORF, RTE, LRT, LTV

Length: 52 min
Release Date: 2017