2010, The European Year Against Poverty

The European Commission designated 2010 as The European Year Against Poverty (EY2010). The Year is intended to reaffirm the EU's commitment to making a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty and provide financial support to a wide range of activities such as meetings, surveys, research and awareness raising.

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

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.

The UK programme main objectives for the year are to raise awareness, increase participation, and build a lasting legacy. As well as regional projects there are national themed projects including working age poverty, child poverty, older people and poverty, and the most socially excluded.

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 Briefing

EY2010 London Highlights

The London Regional Activities Programme, under the European Year Against Poverty, is being organised by a partnership led by LVSTC. Key partners include EAPN (London), Government Office for London, Paradise Park Children’s Centre, New Pathways to Work in W London Project (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.

EY2010 London Events - Planning for the following events is underway:

“Spark in the Park” EY2010 Family Day Event - Saturday 2 October

Spark in the Park event flyer

Taking place during the UK EY2010 Week, there will be conference/discussion sessions, an exhibition of anti-poverty activities involving workers, volunteers and people experiencing poverty, publication of London Euroscene Event Special newspaper and fun activities for children. This family event in Paradise Park Islington will attract 900 people from groups/ agencies across London and from the neighbourhood of social housing on 3 sides of the park.

Given the family-friendly nature of the event, there will be a deeper and wider understanding of the poverty caused by raising a family in the capital. About 100-150 participants will be registered for the conference element and will be encouraged to formulate an EY2010 declaration. The remaining 750 will explore the exhibition of 30-50 stands/themed tents showcasing best anti-poverty practice across London. Visitors will be encouraged to leave their own comments and observations about the issues of the day. Given the photogenic nature of the event, there will be significant city-wide publicity.

Find out more about the event at http://sparkinthepark2010.blogspot.com.

“Active Inclusion” Event - Summer 2010

The “Ways to Work” ESF Transnational Active Inclusion Pilot in London and Third Sector European Network will be contributing to this EY2010 Event in West London . We shall be attracting a range of third sector agencies from across London , beyond the immediate scope of the Pilot. This Active Inclusion event will involve over 100 participants and showcase work underway in West London as well as draw on 15-20 anti-poverty initiatives across the region.

EAPN Conference on EY2010 - November

Following the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the TUC Poverty Conference, EAPN (England) and Southwark Council will be jointly promoting an event in South London. Key local activists, including ATD Fourth World, will lead in the organisation of this conference, which will not only showcase local and regional anti-poverty projects but also introduce a mainland European dimension to anti-poverty work in London.

ESF Disability Advocacy Event - Friday 3 December

Celebrating the UN/EU International Day of Persons with Disability, this event in East London will be led by the ESF Disability Advocacy Group promoted by LVSTC. Members include Leonard Cheshire Disability, Action for Blind People, Ellingham Employment Services and Richmond Fellowship. We shall be engaging about 70 participants from community and voluntary sector providers to explore and illustrate the interaction between disability and poverty.

Past EY2010 events

Into 2010, The European Year Against Poverty
a full-day conference and exhibition
Tuesday 1 December 2009

This event was held in anticipation of 2010 The European Year Against Poverty. For more details, please see the page dedicated to the event:

Into 2010 The European Year Against Poverty event

Seeds of Inclusion: Conference and Networking Event
Tuesday 27 April 2010

LVSTC, with EAPN England (London Branch) and the Salvation Army, held this conference to provide an opportunity for community groups from all over London to come together and share stories of their work in giving a voice to the excluded.

LVSTC will update this page as further details of activities and events become available, so please check it again soon.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Ray Phillips at LVSTC at rayp@lvstc.org.uk or on 020 7538 4309.