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2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

About the European Year

Europe joins forces to fight poverty and social exclusion

Almost 80 million people live below the poverty line in the European Union, which means they face insecurity, and go without what most people often take for granted.

Living in poverty may result in a variety of problems, from not having enough money to spend on food and clothes to suffering poor housing conditions and even homelessness. Poverty also means having to cope with limited lifestyle choices that may lead to social exclusion.

Inspired by its founding principle of solidarity, the European Union has joined forces with its Member States to make 2010 the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The key objectives are to raise public awareness about these issues and renew the political commitment of the EU and its Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion.

The guiding principle of the 2010 Year is to give voice to the concerns of people who have to live with poverty and social exclusion, and to inspire every European citizen and other stakeholders to engage with these important issues.

This Year also aims to challenge stereotypes and collective perceptions of poverty. By harnessing the EU’s principles of solidarity and partnership, 2010 represents a clarion call to tackle the causes of poverty head-on in a bid to ensure everyone can play a full and active role in society.

How will it work?

Civil society organisations and social partners will join participating countries and the European Commission to run a series of activities throughout 2010.

Two European-level conferences will take place in January and December; an art initiative will build a bridge between people experiencing poverty and social exclusion and the creative world; while a journalist competition will reward the best articles about poverty and social exclusion in Europe.

National and local events will take place in every EU Member State, plus Norway and Iceland. Activities will include awareness raising campaigns, workshops and information seminars in schools. Films, magazines and other information material will be produced across participating countries to help people understand how poverty and social exclusion affect their communities, what initiatives there are to fight it, and for those directly affected, to increase awareness of their rights.

Along with public figures, people who have experienced poverty will act as campaign ambassadors, which will help to raise visibility and credibility for the Year’s activities and invite others to get involved.

Objectives of the European Year

• Recognition: recognise the fundamental right of persons experiencing poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to take an active part in society
• Shared responsibility and participation: promote public support for social inclusion policies, emphasising collective and individual responsibility in combating poverty and social exclusion, and fostering commitment by all public and private actors
• Cohesion: promote a more cohesive society, where no one doubts that society as a whole benefits from the eradication of poverty
• Commitment and practical action: renew the pledge of the EU and its Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion, and involve all levels of authority in the pursuit of that aim

External links

• 2010 European Year Campaign Website

• Legal framework of the European Year 2010

• Decision n1098/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2008 on the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010)

• Statistics on poverty and social exclusion in the European Union

• Eurostat indicators
• Eurobarometer survey on poverty
• Public Opinion on poverty and social exclusion in the European Union