Ahead of the EU-CELAC Leaders' Summit, Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, announced a new EU programme worth €60 million to step up action against inequalities and to promote inclusive and equal societies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Commissioner made the announcement at the EU – Latin America and Caribbean Forum bringing together civil society, youth and local authorities, alongside Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares Bueno.

The ‘Inclusive Societies' programme's overall objective is to tackle inequalities, reduce poverty and social exclusion, and enhance social cohesion within Latin American and Caribbean countries. It will support pilot initiatives to facilitate transformative changes toward inclusive, fair, and equal societies.

It will also promote gender and social policies, education and skills development, protection and social inclusion, with a specific emphasis on women and youth. Support will focus on promoting access to social rights and basic social services for the most vulnerable. Through the programme, the EU will help enhance inclusive, accountable and transparent public institutions and promote social innovation, resilience, and just transitions. Under the Global Gateway investment strategy, the EU's positive offer to partner countries to build sustainable and trusted connections, the programme will drive innovative social policy-making through bi-regional and intra-regional partnerships, and technical exchanges.  

The new EU programme will mobilise €60 million from the EU budget. Moreover, the Commission and EU Member States are preparing a Team Europe Initiative, which would build on the programme launched today and act as a platform to combine efforts to enhance social cohesion and tackle inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean.