The Re-Invest research project was launched in 2016 as a European-funded initiative with the support of BEWEGING.NET and continued in 2020 with backing from the Belgian government. It brought together HIVA (EZA research partner, socio-economic analysis), UCLouvain (socio-legal analysis), and the Belgian Poverty Reduction Support Centre, which contributed field experience.
Although based on Belgian data, the results are highly relevant at European level. This was confirmed at the closing conference on 11 February by Anton Hemerijck, Professor at the European University Institute. He highlighted that social investment reduces long-term reliance on social protection, enables faster and more stable recovery from crises, and delivers strong returns when applied across the life course, starting with childcare. While costly, a well-designed welfare state remains effective and financially sustainable.
Against a backdrop of persistently high poverty levels – including among the working poor – Re-Invest examined how social investment can lift people out of poverty in a lasting way and prevent poverty altogether. The research focused on three closely linked areas: social protection, housing, and health.
The study shows that adequate benefits do not discourage activity; they enable access to health care, education, mobility, and participation. In Belgium, however, many benefits are too low, increasing the risk of long-term deprivation. Re-Invest therefore argues for keeping people within the regular social security system wherever possible and for raising minimum benefits to at least the European poverty threshold.
Focusing on homelessness, the research underlines housing security as a key condition for dignity, well-being, and labour market participation. Social investment in housing is not only about funding, but also about regulation, the enforcement of social rights, and coordination between housing, social protection, and health policies.
The health analysis demonstrates that many health problems affecting people at the bottom of the social ladder – and their high costs – can be prevented through early and sustained investment in social protection and housing.
Overall, Re-Invest confirms that social investment is a crucial lever for stronger resilience, quicker recovery from crises, and a more inclusive European social model.