2010 will be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, an annual program which aims to raise awareness on issues of poverty and social exclusion. Activity will be implemented in all EU countries, Iceland and Norway. Events will be organized in cooperation with participating countries, European Union, particularly civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and social partners work together to ensure a successful initiative.
A series of activities will be organized in Europe, such as: awareness campaigns, information sessions in schools, panel discussions and training media. Activities and planned events will include two weeks important: a journalism contest, an art exhibition and two major conferences in January and December 2010.
European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion will be launched in Madrid on January 21, 2010, at the conference organized by the Spanish Presidency and European Commission.