Decision No 1098/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2008 on the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2008-10-22
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU action, European cultural event, aid to disadvantaged groups, disclosure of information, marginalisation, poverty, public awareness campaign

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DECISIONS ADOPTED JOINTLY BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE
COUNCIL

DECISION No 1098/2008/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 22 October 2008

on the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010)

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

in achieving the Union’s 10-year
essential element
strategic goal of economic growth, more and better
jobs and greater social cohesion.

Having regard to the Treaty
Community, and in particular Article 137(2) thereof,

establishing the European

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (1),

Having regard to the opinion of
Regions (2),

the Committee of

the

(4)

(5)

Acting in accordance with the procedure
Article 251 of the Treaty (3),

laid down in

(6)

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The fight against poverty and social exclusion is one of
the key commitments of the European Union and its
Member States.

The Amsterdam Treaty in 1997 added new provisions on
the fight against social exclusion to the existing fields of
activity covered by the social policy provisions of the EC
Treaty, in particular Articles 136 and 137, and provided
a new legal
for new policy
commitments in this area.

framework and basis

The European Council meeting in Lisbon on 23 and
24 March 2000 recognised that the extent of poverty
and social exclusion was unacceptable. Building a more
inclusive European Union was thus considered to be an

(7)

(8)

(9)

(1) OJ C 224, 30.8.2008, p. 106.
(2) Opinion of 18 June 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 17 June 2008 (not yet
and Council Decision of

Journal)

published in the Official
2 October 2008.

The Lisbon European Council invited Member States and
the Commission to take steps to make ‘a decisive impact
on the eradication of poverty’ by 2010. The Lisbon
thus agreed to adopt an Open
European Council
Method of Coordination (OMC) in this area.

Inclusion has been an important

the OMC on Social Protection and
From the outset,
Social
for
supporting this political commitment and strengthening
the capacity of the EU to support Member States in their
drive for greater social cohesion in Europe.

tool

The OMC helps to deepen mutual
learning and has
increased awareness of the multidimensional nature of
the
exclusion and poverty. The OMC thus creates
conditions to produce more impact on the ground and
to make the EU’s attachment to social values more visible
to its citizens.

Despite these achievements, significant parts of the popu­
lation are still suffering from deprivation or limited and
unequal access to services, or are excluded from society.
Joint Report on Social Protection and Social
The
Inclusion 2008 highlights
that 78 million
people in the European Union live at risk of poverty,
19 million of whom are children. The gender gap is
approximately two percentage points.

the fact

In addition, wealth inequalities and severe poverty are
matters of growing concern across the Union.

for areas with permanent

There is a need, in the interest of social and economic
cohesion, for support to be provided for less-favoured
regions,
structural disad­
vantages, for outermost regions, for certain islands and
island Member States and for areas that have been
affected by
industrial
conversion.

recent deindustrialisation or

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(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

the well-being of citizens,
Social exclusion damages
hampering their ability to express themselves and to
participate in society. This aspect should therefore be
given appropriate visibility in the European Year for
Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (hereinafter,
the European Year).

In its Resolution of 15 November 2007 on social reality
stocktaking, the European Parliament stressed that the
strengthening of social cohesion and the eradication of
poverty and social exclusion must become a political
priority for the European Union.

The fight against poverty and social exclusion is to be
pursued both within the European Union and externally,
in accordance with the UN Millennium Development
Goals to which the European Union and the Member
States have subscribed.

The problem of poverty and social exclusion has broad,
complex and multidimensional forms. They relate to a
factors, such as income and living
large number of
the need for educational and decent work
standards,
opportunities,
systems,
to good quality health and other
housing, access
citizenship. Stakeholders
services, as well as active
across all
should therefore be
involved.

relevant policy areas

protection

effective

social

and local

level which ensure

Consequently, the prevention of and the fight against
poverty require multidimensional policies at national,
regional
a balance
between economic and social policies and targeted strat­
egies for groups or persons in particularly vulnerable
situations. The European Year may help to stimulate
such multidimensional policies as well as the further
development of relevant indicators.

a key role

the Lisbon Strategy, has

The Social Agenda 2005-10, which complements and
supports
in
promoting the social dimension of economic growth
and the active participation of citizens in society and
in the labour market. One of
the
Social Agenda is the promotion of equal opportunities
for all as a vector for social and intergenerational soli­
darity and the creation of a poverty-free and more
inclusive society.

the priorities of

early

school-leavers,

the high poverty

In their National Action Plans on Social Inclusion, several
Member States highlight
and/or
including
exclusion risk faced by particular groups,
children,
large
families, families with a single income, young people,
in particular young women, older people, migrants and
ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and their carers,
the homeless, the unemployed,
in particular the long-
term unemployed, prisoners, women and children who
are victims of violence, and severe substance abusers.

single parents,

National policies and supporting measures targeted at
the most vulnerable groups could play an important
role in fighting against poverty and social exclusion.

(17) Decent employment can significantly reduce the poverty
risk for the individual. However employment in itself is
not always a sufficient condition to lift people out of
poverty, and the at-risk-of-poverty rate is still relatively
high even for those in work. In-work poverty is linked to
low pay, the gender pay gap, low skills, limited profes­
sional training opportunities, the need to combine a job
with a family, precarious employment and working
conditions, and also to difficult household conditions.
Quality employment and social and economic support
are thus essential for lifting individuals out of poverty.

(18)

(19)

(20)

to inclusion in society. There

The lack of basic competences and qualifications adapted
to the changing needs of the labour market is also a
major barrier
is a
growing danger of new cleavages in society emerging
between those who have access to lifelong learning to
enhance their employability and adaptability, and to
facilitate their personal development and active citi­
zenship, and those who remain excluded and face
Those without
various
adequate skills find it more difficult to enter the labour
market and find a quality job, are more likely to spend
long periods out of work and, if they do work, are more
likely to find themselves in low-paid jobs.

discrimination.

forms

of

The availability of and the ability to use information and
(ICT)
communication
increasingly
technology
inclusion. A ministerial
becoming a prerequisite for
declaration approved on 11 June 2006 in Riga calls for
an information society for all.

is

the extent

impact of Community action to
Key to the successful
fight poverty and social exclusion is
to
which it enjoys broad popular and political support.
Moreover, the effective implementation of EU legislation
on equal opportunities and non-discrimination also
supports the aims of the European Year. The European
Year should,
raising
therefore, act as a catalyst
awareness, for building momentum and for exchanging
best practices between the Member States,
local and
international organisations
regional
involved in the fight against poverty. It should help to
focus political attention and mobilise everyone concerned
in order to drive forward and strengthen the OMC on
Inclusion as well as to
Social Protection and Social
promote further actions and initiatives at Community
and national level
in that field, in association with the
people affected by poverty and their representatives.

authorities

and

for

(21)

The European Year should boost active inclusion policies
as a means of preventing poverty and social exclusion
and should help to promote best practices in this field
within the OMC.

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(22)

and

socioeconomic

differing national

The varying levels of progress made at national level and
the
cultural
contexts and sensitivities call for a considerable part of
the activities of the European Year to be decentralised at
level, through a system of indirect centralised
national
in accordance with the procedures laid
management
down in Article 54(2)(c)
of Council Regulation
(EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of
the European Communities (1) and in Commission Regu­
lation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December
2002 laying down the detailed rules for the implemen­
tation of Council Regulation (EC,
Euratom) No
1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to
the general budget of the European Communities (2).

(23) However, the definition of policy priorities at national
level should be monitored by the Commission with a
view to guaranteeing consistency with the strategic
objectives agreed for the European Year and ultimately
with the Common Objectives established for the OMC.

(24)

(25)

(26)

(27)

Effective coordination of all partners contributing at
Community, national, regional and local level is a funda­
mental prerequisite for ensuring the effectiveness of the
European Year. Local and regional partners have a
particular role to play in promoting the interests of
people living in poverty or social exclusion.

Participation in the European Year should be open to the
the European Free Trade Association
Member States,
to the
(EFTA)
European
are parties
that
States
in accordance with
Economic Area (EEA) Agreement,
to the candidate
that Agreement,
the provisions of
countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy and
in line with the
countries from the Western Balkans,
conditions laid down in their
respective agreements,
and to the countries covered by the European Neigh­
bourhood Policy (ENP), in accordance with the provisions
of the May 2004 Strategy Paper and the Country Action
Plans.

The European Year can help to improve the coordination
between existing programmes and initiatives for fighting
against poverty and social exclusion at Community level,
including the OMC on Social Protection and Social
Inclusion.

ensured,

Consistency and complementarity with other Community
action should be
in particular with the
the Structural Funds and the
PROGRESS programme,
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
(EAFRD),
action to combat discrimination and to
promote gender equality and fundamental rights, and
action in the areas of education and training, culture
and
citizenship,
dialogue,
immigration and asylum, and research.

intercultural

youth,

(28)

(29)

(30)

(31)

The European Year should continue the best practices
including the
derived from previous European Years,
European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
(2007)
and the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008).

This Decision establishes a financial envelope for the
entire duration of the programme, which is to be the
prime reference for the budgetary authority within the
meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement
of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the
Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and
sound financial management (3).

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the
procedures for
implementing powers
the exercise of
conferred on the Commission (4).

Since the objectives of
this Decision cannot be suf­
ficiently achieved by the Member States due to the
need, among other things, for multilateral partnerships
and for the transnational exchange of information and
the Community-wide dissemination of good practice, and
can therefore, by reason of the scale of the action, be
better achieved at Community level, the Community may
adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsi­
diarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance
with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that
Article,
is
necessary in order to achieve those objectives,

this Decision does not go beyond what

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The European Year

With a view to supporting Community action to combat social
exclusion, the year 2010 shall be designated as the ‘European
Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion’ (hereinafter,
the European Year).

Article 2

Objectives and guiding principles

The objectives and guiding principles of

1.
Year shall be as follows:

the European

(a) Recognition of rights — recognising the fundamental right
of people in a situation of poverty and social exclusion to
live in dignity and to play a full part
in society. The
the
European Year will
situation of people experiencing poverty, particularly that
of groups or persons in vulnerable situations, and will
help to promote their effective access to social, economic
and cultural rights as well as to sufficient resources and
quality services. The European Year will also help to
combat stereotypes and stigmatisation;

increase public awareness of

(1) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

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(b) Shared responsibility and participation — increasing public
ownership of social inclusion policies and actions, empha­
sising both collective and individual responsibility in the
fight against poverty and social exclusion, as well as the
voluntary
importance of promoting
activities. The European Year will promote the involvement
inter alia, through proactive
of public and private actors,
partnerships. It will foster awareness and commitment and
create opportunities for contributions by all citizens,
in
indirect experience of
particular people with direct or
poverty;

supporting

and

(c) Cohesion — promoting a more cohesive society by raising
public awareness of the benefits for all of a society where
poverty is eradicated, fair distribution is enabled and no one
is marginalised. The European Year will foster a society that
including quality of
sustains and develops quality of life,
including the
skills and employment, social well-being,
well-being of children, and equal opportunities for all. It
will, moreover, ensure sustainable development and soli­
darity
policy
coherence with EU action worldwide;

and within

generations

between

and

(d) Commitment and concrete action — reiterating the strong
political commitment of the EU and the Member States to
make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty and
social exclusion and promoting this commitment and
levels of governance. Building upon the
actions at all
the OMC on Social
and potential of
achievements
Protection and Social
the European Year will
Inclusion,
strengthen the political commitment, by focusing political
attention on and mobilising all
in the
prevention of
and social
exclusion and give further impetus to the Member States’
and the European Union’s action in this field.

interested parties,

against poverty

and fight

2. When implementing these objectives, the Community and
the Member States shall take into account the priorities listed in
Part IV of the Annex.

Article 3

Content of actions

The actions at Community and national level designed to
in particular,

1.
meet the objectives set out in Article 2 may,
include the following:

(a) meetings and events;

All actions addressed to a wider public shall be easily
including people experiencing poverty and

3.
accessible to all,
people with disabilities.

Article 4

Gender mainstreaming

The European Year shall take account of the different risks and
dimensions of poverty and social exclusion experienced by
women and men. The Community and the Member States
shall take account of gender mainstreaming in the implemen­
tation of the European Year.

Article 5

Cooperation and implementation at Community level

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
1.
Decision shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory
procedure referred to in Article 7(2).

2.
The Commission shall ensure that Community actions
covered by this Decision are implemented in conformity with
the Annex.

3.
In particular, the Commission shall make the necessary
arrangements to ensure the consistency and complementarity
of
referred to in
Article 10 with a view to meeting the objectives set out in
Article 2.

the Community actions and initiatives

4.
The Commission shall conduct a regular exchange of
views with stakeholders including those working with people
living in poverty, particularly at European level, on the design,
implementation,
the European
follow-up and assessment of
Year.
It shall make all relevant information available to the
public.

The Commission shall closely involve the Social Protection
the
involve

5.
Committee in the preparation and implementation of
European Year and, where appropriate,
other relevant committees.

inform or

The Commission shall, as appropriate, cooperate with

6.
other EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies.

Article 6

(b) information, promotional and educational campaigns;

Cooperation and implementation at national level

(c) surveys and studies on a Community or nationwide scale,
collection where

based on gender-disaggregated data
appropriate.

Details of the actions referred to in paragraph 1 are set

2.
out in the Annex.

1.
Each Member State shall appoint a National Implementing
Body to organise its participation in the European Year and
ensure coordination at national level. That National Implemen­
ting Body shall be responsible for defining the National
Programme and the priorities for the European Year and for
selecting the individual actions to be proposed for Community
funding. The national strategy and priorities for the European
Year shall be set out in accordance with the objectives listed in
Article 2.

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The procedure for awarding Community funding for

2.
actions at national level is set out in Part II of the Annex.

Article 10

Consistency and complementarity

In carrying out its tasks, in particular when drawing up
3.
the National Programme and whenever appropriate during the
implementation of the European Year, the National Implemen­
ting Body shall closely consult and cooperate with a broad
including civil society organis­
range of relevant stakeholders,
ations and organisations defending or representing the interests
of those who experience poverty and social exclusion, the social
partners, and regional and local authorities.

The Commission,

1.
participating
countries, shall ensure that the measures provided for in this
Decision are
consistent with other Community, national,
regional and local actions and initiatives.

together with

the

2.
They shall further ensure that the European Year fully
complements the existing Community, national and regional
initiatives and resources, where they can help to attain the
objectives of the European Year.

Article 7

Committee

Article 11

Participating countries

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee (here­

1.
inafter referred to as the Committee).

Participation in the European Year shall be open to:

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the
provisions of Article 8 thereof.

(a) Member States;

Each Member State’s representative on the Committee
from the National

3.
shall be designated, where possible,
Implementing Body referred to in Article 6(1).

(b) candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy,
in accordance with the general principles and the general
terms and conditions for the participation of those countries
in Community Programmes laid down, respectively, by the
Framework Agreement and by decisions of the Association
Councils;

Article 8

Financial provisions

1.
Actions on a Community scale, as set out in Part I of the
Annex, may be subsidised up to 80 % or give rise to a
procurement contract financed from the general budget of the
European Union.

(c)

the countries of the western Balkans, in accordance with the
arrangements to be established with those countries under
the framework agreements on the general principles for
their participation in Community programmes;

(d) EFTA States that are parties to the EEA Agreement,
accordance with the provisions of that Agreement;

in

Actions at national, regional or local

2.
level may be co-
financed from the general budget of the European Union up
to a maximum of 50 % of the total eligible costs of the actions
in accordance with the procedure set out in Part II of the
Annex.

Article 9

Application and selection procedure

(e)

the ENP partner countries, in accordance with the general
principles and the general terms and conditions for the
participation of those countries in Community programmes
laid down in the May 2004 Strategy Paper and the Country
Action Plans. Any Community financial support for actions
in ENP partner countries in this context shall be covered by
the ENP Instrument, in accordance with the priorities and
procedures established for
the overall cooperation with
those countries.

Decisions on the

1.
to
Article 8(1) shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance
with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 7(2).

financing of actions pursuant

Article 12

Budget

2.
Requests for financial assistance for actions pursuant to
Article 8(2) shall be submitted to the Commission by the
National
in accordance with the
Implementing Bodies
procedure set out in Part II of the Annex.

1.
the
The financial envelope for the implementation of
actions referred to in this Decision for the period 1 January
2009 to 31 December 2010 shall be EUR 17 000 000, of
which EUR 6 500 000 shall be
the period until
31 December 2009.

for

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Article 15

Monitoring and evaluation

1.
By 31 December 2011, the Commission shall submit a
report to the European Parliament, the Council, the European
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment
of the actions provided for in this Decision.

2.
The report shall also provide information on how the
gender dimension has been mainstreamed in the activities of
the European Year and how the European Year has been of
benefit to groups or individuals in vulnerable situations.

Article 16

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on the 20th day following
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Strasbourg, 22 October 2008.

For the European Parliament
The President

H.-G. PÖTTERING

For the Council
The President

J.-P. JOUYET

Annual

2.
budgetary
Framework 2007-13.

appropriations
authority within the

shall be

authorised by
the

the
Financial

limits of

Article 13

International cooperation

For the purpose of the European Year, the Commission may
cooperate with relevant international organisations, in particular
the Council of Europe, the International Labour Organisation
and the United Nations.

Article 14

Protection of Community financial interests

fraud, corruption and any other

The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed under
this Decision are implemented, the financial
interests of the
Community are protected by the application of preventive
illegal
measures against
activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of
the
amounts unduly paid and,
irregularities are detected, by
if
effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, in accordance
with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of
18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Com­
munities financial interests (1) and Council Regulation (Euratom,
EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot
checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order
to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against
fraud and other irregularities (2), and with Regulation (EC) No
1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (3).

(1) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
(3) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

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ANNEX

Details of the actions referred to in Article 3 of this Decision

I. ACTIONS ON A COMMUNITY SCALE

1. Meetings and events

Organisation of meetings and events at Community level, intended to raise awareness about issues related to the
European Year and about poverty and social exclusion, as well as to provide for a forum for exchange of ideas.
They will gather relevant stakeholders and will be planned together with people experiencing poverty and civil
society organisations representing them. These meetings and events will facilitate the development of social
empowerment measures and practices for all and help to address policy gaps, as well as to raise awareness
among relevant actors and institutions regarding the multiple dimensions of poverty and social exclusion (espe­
cially among women and children), including factors such as access to employment, housing, social protection,
family support, health and social services.

2. Information and promotional campaigns involving:

— the organisation of various solidarity initiatives for poverty alleviation and social inclusion to give all citizens
the opportunity to contribute directly or through their organisations, even modestly and in whatever form.
Media campaigns at Community and national level may support fundraising operations within the framework
of the European Year,

— the development of a logo, available in a variety of formats, and slogans for the European Year, for use in

connection with any action linked to the European Year,

— an information campaign at Community level with positioning at national and local level, based on both

traditional and new communication channels and new technologies,

— the production of communication and media tools available throughout the Community to stimulate public

interest,

— appropriate measures and initiatives for providing information, publicising the results and improving the
visibility of Community programmes, actions and initiatives contributing to the objectives of the European
Year,

— appropriate initiatives by educational institutions, non-governmental organisations and charities at Community
and national level, to disseminate information on the European Year and on measures to fight poverty and
social exclusion,

— the organisation of European competitions highlighting achievements and experiences in connection with the

themes of the European Year,

— a strong link with organisations and sectors not usually engaged with issues of poverty and social exclusion

(e.g. sport, art), including the use of testimonials and ‘ambassadors’,

— the establishment of an information website on Europa.

3. Other actions

— Community-wide surveys and studies, based on gender-disaggregated data collection where appropriate, to
assess and report on the preparation, effectiveness and immediate and long-term impact of the European Year.
To facilitate the identification of innovative solutions, one such survey will also gauge public opinion on policy
to prevent and combat poverty and social exclusion, including, where appropriate, social protection systems,
and on the potential role of the Union in the fight against poverty and exclusion. That survey will be
conducted in 2009 so that its results can be presented at the Opening Conference of the European Year,

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— The promotion of studies on the link between severe poverty and fundamental rights,

— Cooperation with the private sector, broadcasters and other media as partners in spreading information about

the European Year as well as in actions aiming for long-term dialogue on social issues,

— Technical assistance to facilitate the transfer of learning,

— An evaluation report on the effectiveness and impact of the European Year.

Specific links could be established with the organisation of events at European and international level, in particular,
by creating synergies between the European Year and the activities developed around the annual UN International
Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October.

The Commission may make use of technical and/or administrative assistance for the mutual benefit of the
Commission and the participating countries, for example by financing outside expertise on a specific subject.

4. Funding

Subject to the provisions of Articles 8 and 12 of this Decision, funding may be in the form of:

— the purchase of goods and services, in particular in the field of communications, by way of calls for tender,

— the purchase of consultancy services, by way of calls for tender,

— subsidies allocated to cover the expenses of special events at Community level to highlight and raise awareness
of the European Year. Such funding will not exceed 80 % of the total expenditure incurred by the recipient.

II. CO-FINANCING OF ACTIONS AT NATIONAL LEVEL

These actions should take account of the need to provide funding opportunities that ensure access for organisations
‘on the ground’ and projects involving the most marginalised groups.

1. Actions at national, regional or local

level may qualify for financing from the Community budget up to a
maximum of 50 % of the total eligible costs per participating country. National co-funding should match the
EU funding with at least 50 % from public or private sources. When selecting actions, National Implementing
Bodies will be free to decide whether or not, and at what level, to request co-funding from the organisation
responsible for implementing individual actions.

2. Following the adoption of this Decision, the Commission will prepare a Strategic Framework Document, which,
alongside the objectives set out in Article 2 of this Decision, will establish the key priorities for the implementation
of the European Year activities, including minimum standards in terms of participation in national bodies and
actions.

3. In response to the Strategic Framework Document, each National

Implementing Body will produce, after
consulting civil society, a National Programme for implementing the European Year, in close coordination and
consistent with the National Strategies on Social Protection and Social Inclusion.

4. Each National Implementing Body will submit a single application for Community funding. That grant application
will describe the National Programme and priorities for the European Year, and the actions proposed for funding.
The grant application will be accompanied by a detailed budget setting out the total costs of the actions proposed
and the amount and sources of co-funding. Eligible costs may include personnel and administrative costs incurred
by the National Implementing Body.

5. The release of global grants to participating countries will depend on the extent to which the objectives set out in
Article 2 of this Decision and developed in the Strategic Framework Document are adequately met in the National
Programme for implementing the European Year.

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6. The Commission will evaluate the applications for Community funding submitted by the National Implementing
Bodies, including by checking their compliance with the objectives referred to in Article 2 of this Decision. If
necessary, the Commission shall request modifications to the applications.

7. Actions under point 1 above may include:

(a) meetings and events connected with the objectives of the European Year, including national events to launch
and promote the European Year, create a catalyst effect and provide open spaces for debate around concrete
action to combat poverty and social exclusion;

(b) mutual learning seminars at national, regional and local level;

(c) other events connected with the preparation of Community-level initiatives (e.g. the yearly European Round

Table on Poverty and Social Exclusion and the European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty);

(d) information, educational and promotional campaigns and other actions in schools and measures with a strong
multiplier effect to disseminate the principles and underlying values celebrated by the European Year at
national, regional and local levels, including the organisation of awards and competitions;

(e) surveys and studies other than those mentioned in point 3 of Part I, to examine in greater depth the key issues

of the European Year;

(f)

training opportunities for civil servants, social partners, the media, non-governmental organisations’ represen­
tatives and other actors to increase their knowledge of poverty and social exclusion phenomena, of European
and national social inclusion policies and of the different policy tools available, to increase their capacity to
deal with poverty-related issues, and to encourage them to play an active role in the fight against poverty and
social exclusion;

(g) cooperation with the media;

(h) development of pilot regional and local action plans for social inclusion.

III. NON-FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The Community will grant non-financial support, including written authorisation to use the specific logo created for
the European Year and other materials associated with the European Year, for initiatives undertaken by public or
private organisations, insofar as the latter can provide assurances to the Commission — on the basis of specific
criteria set out in the Strategic Framework Document — that the initiatives in question are or will be carried out
during the period of the European Year and are likely to make a significant contribution to achieving one or more of
its objectives.

Initiatives organised in third countries in association or cooperation with the European Year may also receive non-
financial support from the Community and use the logo and other materials associated with the European Year.

IV. PRIORITIES FOR THE EUROPEAN YEAR ACTIVITIES

Taking into account the multidimensional nature of poverty and social exclusion and with a view to mainstreaming
the prevention of and fight against poverty and exclusion within other policies, the European Year activities should
aim to produce a clear added value and provide an effective complement to the OMC on Social Protection and Social
Inclusion. These activities should therefore focus on a limited number of priority areas.

In line with the analysis carried out and the priorities identified in the Joint Report on Social Protection and Social
Inclusion, the European Year should focus on the following themes:

— promoting multidimensional integrated strategies to prevent and reduce poverty, in particular severe poverty, and

approaches which would be mainstreamed across all relevant policy areas,

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— fighting child poverty including the intergenerational transmission of poverty as well as poverty within families,
paying special attention to large families, single parents and families caring for a dependent person, as well as
poverty experienced by children in institutions,

— promoting inclusive labour markets, addressing in-work poverty and the need to make work pay,

— eradicating disadvantages in education and training, including digital literacy training and promoting equal access

for all to ICT, with particular focus on the specific needs of disabled people,

— tackling the gender and age dimensions of poverty,

— ensuring equal access to adequate resources and services,

including decent accommodation, health and social

protection,

— facilitating access to culture and leisure opportunities,

— overcoming discrimination and promoting the social inclusion of immigrants and ethnic minorities,

— promoting integrated approaches to active inclusion,

— addressing the needs of people with disabilities and their families, the homeless, as well as other groups or persons

in vulnerable situations.

In planning the European Year activities in line with the above priorities, the participating countries will adapt them
to the national, regional and local situations and challenges, including considerations of territorial cohesion.

In the light of the objectives set out in Article 2 of this Decision, the issue of participation should be mainstreamed
throughout all the priorities.

Under Article 4 of this Decision, the Commission and the Member States are to take into account, in implementing
the European Year activities, the different ways in which women and men experience poverty and social exclusion.
They will also ensure that gender is mainstreamed throughout the European Year priorities with a view to promoting
gender equality.