European Network Conference Debt Advice Development

The European Consumer Debt Network (ECDN) held their first PEPPI conference in Malta last March. Peppi is a co-funded European Union project working with member states to establish and support existing services managing over-indebtedness.

The first PEPPI Conference was inaugurated by the Hon. Michael Falzon, Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights and it was the first European-wide only academy for debt advice and knowledge platform for overindebtedness, debt advice and financial education.

The event offered a unique opportunity for the concerned parties to hear the exciting developments and progress of debt advice services across the 10 participating member states. It also served as a great opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and network with colleagues from across Europe.

Held in a prominent hotel at St.Paul’s Bay, the conference opening and welcome were addressed by Mr Dieter Korczak, ECDN President, followed by Ms Helena Holland, Malta National Coordinator, the Honourable Minister Michael Falzon and Mr Francesco Gaetano, EU DG Just.

Knowledge platform launch was introduced by Ms Pauline Dujardin, ECDN Vice President whilst the Academy launch was done by Ms Gwen Harris, ECDN Management Committee. Soon afterwards followed a discussion about the Debt Advice Situation by the Peppi

National Coordinators, namely Ms Helena Holland from Malta, Ms Germana Giombini from Italy, Ms Rodica Apan from Romania, Mr Igor Srgatic from Croatia, Mr Ladislav Suty and Mr Peter Daniel representing Slovakia and Mr Anastasios Kokougiannis from Greece respectively.

After the break, several other speakers included Mr Kestutis Kupsys from Lithuania, Mr Willy Pierre Abbal from Bulgaria, Mr Carlos Zarco from Spain and Mr Marios Droushiotis from Cyprus. Closing address was delivered by Mr Dieter Korczak, the ECDN President.

The PEPPI Conference was followed by a webinar held two months later were national experts from Germany, Finland and Malta spoke on the topic of target groups for debt advice. People experiencing overindebtedness may have specific concerns or additional needs requiring a more targeted approach to debt advice.

The webinar which was held on Wednesday 10th May included a number of presentations by various experts in the field including Ms Sally Peters from Germany who addressed the theme of Vulnerable Groups, Ms Aura Pylkkanen from Findland who presented the subject of People with gambling debts and Ms Rhoda Garland from Malta who delivered a talk on the subject of People with Disabilities.

Peppi, short for Provision of a European Platform for the Prevention of overindebtedness is a project funded by the European Commission under the Community Action Programme to combat Social Exclusion – 2002-2006. The project is possible with the collaboration of ECDN, the European Consumer Debt Network and co-funded by the European Union.