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At the European Union level, there is an explicit target to eliminate at least 20 million persons out of poverty and social exclusion and to increase employment of the population of the European Union (EU) by the end of 2020.Until 2009, the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion has been on a steady decline in the EU. However, the trend reversed after the onset of the economic crisis in 2008. The economic crisis has also influenced of the other indicators in the social inclusion theme. Trends have deteriorated in the short term, in particular after 2009, with an increasing number of people being affected by one or more forms of poverty, namely monetary poverty, severe material deprivation, very low work intensity or/and long-term unemployment. To ensure sustainable outcomes it requires the eradication of poverty in its multiple dimensions, equality of both opportunity and outcome, equity in the distribution of benefits and costs, social inclusion and non-discrimination. Social policies can influence profound transformations across economic, environmental and social domains by supporting economic productivity, raising human capital and reducing inequalities in a more sustainable and inclusive direction.