The S&D Group took the lead regarding the establishment of the new Fund for European aid to the most deprived (FEAD), a new tool to alleviate the most severe forms of poverty, namely food and material deprivation in all EU countries. The S&D Group ensured that the Fund's budget was increased and can only be used to support the most deprived. Furthermore key stakeholders such as food banks, charities and civil society must be consulted and involved in the design, operation and monitoring of national schemes which implement the programme.
FEAD is a sign of European solidarity with those hit hardest by the crisis, even though the increased budget is still far from being enough. In 2010 nearly one quarter of Europeans (120 million people) were at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The budget is reserved for the aid to the most deprived and should not be used for other cohesion fund activities. FEAD is only a complement to national policies; the responsibility and obligation to combat and eliminate poverty remains with member states.