Ten years ago, EU leaders pledged to 'make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty' by 2010. Today however, almost 80 million Europeans are at risk of poverty, living on an income below 60% of the average household income in their country.

Poverty and exclusion not only affect the wellbeing of individuals and their ability to play a part in society, they also impair economic development. With this in mind, the EU is stressing the importance of collective responsibility in combating poverty and hence the need to involve public authorities, civil society and enterprise.

The European Year seeks to give a voice to those who daily experience poverty and social exclusion and to raise public awareness of these issues. It provides a stimulus for renewing the political commitment of the EU and its Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion and challenges stereotypes and collective perceptions of poverty.

Key Press Releases

• 01/12/11 - Follow-up of the first European Semester and thematic surveillance in employment and social policies - Council conclusions

• 16/12/10 - EU puts the fight against poverty at the heart of goals for jobs and growth

• 06/12/10 - Council Declaration on The European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion: Working together to fight poverty in 2010 and beyond

• 18/11/10 - Council conclusions on the role of culture in combating poverty and social exclusion

• 22/10/10 - Childhood poverty from a European perspective

• 20/10/10 - MEPs call for EU-wide minimum income to combat poverty

• 19/10/10 - Speaking points by László Andor, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion - press conference of the 9th European Round Table on Poverty and Social Exclusion

• 19/10/10 - Decent pay and child poverty at the heart of the Fight against Poverty in Europe

• 28/09/10 - Fighting poverty with education

• 20/09/10 - Young Reporters Against Poverty - the Commission calls on young journalists to engage in development issues

Audiovisual material

Media gallery Thematic videos – Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Thematic photos – Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Thematic audio files – Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Contact

• European Commission

  Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

  Spokesperson
  Cristina ARIGHO
  Tel: +32 (0)2 298 53 99
  GSM: +32 (0)498 98 21 18
  Fax: +32 (0)2 299 19 70
  cristina.arigho@ec.europa.eu

  Press officer
  Maria JAVOROVA
  Tel: +32 (0)2 299 89 03
  GSM: +32 (0)498 98 60 57
  Fax: +32 (0)2 299 19 70
  maria.javorova@ec.europa.eu