2010, The European Year Against Poverty

The European Year 2010 aims to raise public awareness of the importance of combating poverty and social exclusion for personal, social and economic development and to give a voice to those who experience poverty and social exclusion. The EU Commission is encouraging member states to promote debate on how to eradicate poverty and foster social inclusion. Activities reflect 4 key priorities:

•  recognition of the fundamental rights of people in a situation of poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society
•  shared responsibility and participation through increased public ownership of social inclusion policies and actions
•  promotion of a more cohesive society through sustainable development, solidarity and policy coherence
•  reiteration of the strong commitment of the European Union and member states against poverty and promoting this commitment at all levels of governance.

The Europe-wide information on the year can be found here at http://www.endpoverty.eu/-About-the-YEAR-.html

In the UK, activities contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

•  to raise awareness of the causes, prevalence and consequences of poverty and social exclusion, and of UK and European strategies and policies that aim to tackle these issues.
•  to promote and facilitate the engagement and participation of a broad range of actors who have a role to play in developing and delivering solutions to tackle poverty and social exclusion, including business and trade unions, voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises, people experiencing poverty, and the organisations that represent them at a local, regional and national level.
•  to ensure a lasting legacy from the Year, including the identification and sharing of good practice and knowledge, and the development of effective structures that facilitate ongoing dialogue between relevant actors. Notably, 2011 is the European Year for Volunteering.

National Programmes of Local Activity

Activity is aligned to one of the 4 key thematic challenges:

•  child poverty (led by Save the Children)
•  severe multiple deprivation and those who are most at risk of social exclusion (led by Mentoring & Befriending Organisation)
•  working age adults overcoming barriers to participation in the labour market (led by Community Links)
•  older people and poverty / social exclusion (led by Community Service Volunteers)

The programmes recognise interdependencies between these thematic challenges and the need for intergenerational solutions to the issues of poverty and social exclusion. These initiatives involve the further distribution of funds by partners to smaller organisations. Activities cover the equalities agenda, and respond to issues around the provision and accessibility of services.

For background information on the year from a UK perspective, visit the DWP webpage on the year - http://www.dwp.gov.uk/european-year-2010/ - and their EYES ON EY2010 Newsletter Issue 8 which details all funded projects in the UK.

London Regional Activities Programme

This is one of 12 Programmes throughout the 4 nations and is organised by a partnership led by LVSTC. Key partners include the European Anti-Poverty Network (London Branch), Government Office for London, Paradise Park Children's Centre, New Pathways to Work in West London Project (led by Ealing Council) and the Third Sector European Network. The plan is to invest EY2010 funds in a major park event during the UK EY2010 Week with a number of separately-funded, supporting conferences, which emphasise the important role of the European Social Fund in tackling poverty in London as well as the continuing work of EAPN. Throughout, the emphasis will be on encouraging the participation and voices of people experiencing poverty.

LVSTC has also produced a special edition of London Euroscene newsletter, with highlights from the event on 1 December 2009 that was held in anticipation of the year:

European Year Against Poverty Euroscene Briefing I

We have also produce a second special briefing for the 'Spark in the Park' event on 2 October:

European Year Against Poverty Euroscene Briefing II

The final special briefing looks back on the achievements of EY2010:

European Year Against Poverty Euroscene Briefing III

EY2010 London Events

Events are being organised by the partnership led by LVSTC. For further details, please see the EY2010 Events page.