16 September 2025

Evaluation confirms strong impact of FEAD support

The European Commission’s final evaluation of FEAD shows lasting benefits for millions of disadvantaged people across the EU.

FEAD made a real difference

The European Commission has published the final eva­lua­ti­on of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). The results confirm that FEAD brought tangible and lasting benefits to some of the most dis­ad­van­ta­ged people in the EU.

Active during the 2014–2020 pro­gramming period, FEAD helped Member States tackle both per­si­stent poverty and urgent social needs.

Helping millions through difficult times

With a budget of €5.2 billion, FEAD supported Member States in deli­ve­ring food, basic material assi­stance and social inclusion measures to an average of 14.2 million people each year.

It reached groups most at risk of poverty and social exclusion – including children, women, homeless people and newly arrived EU migrants. The fund also proved essential during major crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis and the con­se­quen­ces of Russia’s war of aggres­si­on against Ukraine.

About the eva­lua­ti­on study

The eva­lua­ti­on was informed by a study conducted by 3s in coope­ra­ti­on with Ecorys. Julia Fellinger was a member of the overall project coor­di­na­ti­on team, while Mariya Dzhengozova served as case study coordinator.


Contact: Julia Fellinger

Client: European Commission

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