Minister Ó Cuív announces grants to promote European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Written by Eamon Ó Cuív Wednesday, 21 April 2010
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., today (Wednesday, 21st April 2010) announced funding for 43 groups totalling over €120,000. The funding is being provided for community and voluntary organisations who will undertake a range of locally based activities and initiatives to promote awareness of poverty and social exclusion and to mark 2010 the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in their community. Over 580 applications for funding were received from organisations throughout the country.
Announcing the funding, Minister Ó Cuív said "the initiatives for which funding is being provided include sporting activities, local radio broadcasting campaigns, seminars, art and photographic exhibitions and education and information initiatives. These activities will involve people experiencing poverty and will, for wider society, raise awareness of the European Year and poverty and social exclusion issues."
The aims of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion are to:
Raise public awareness of poverty and social exclusion in Europe,
Convey the message that poverty and exclusion are obstacles to social and economic development,
Challenge the idea that tackling poverty is a cost to society,
Re-affirm the importance of collective responsibility and involve all sectors of society in actions to tackle poverty, and
Give 'voice' to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.
Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland said "the founding principle of the European Union is solidarity, and this year the EU joined forces with its Member States to make 2010 the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The guiding principle of the Year is to give voice to the concerns of people who have to live with poverty and social exclusion, and to inspire every European citizen and other stakeholders to engage with these important issues."
The Irish programme to mark the year involves a range of events and activities throughout the country that are being organised by Government departments, and agencies, local authorities, expert organisations, social partners, and national and local and community organisations.
Minister Ó Cuív concluded by congratulating the organisations who were successful in their applications for funding saying "the European Year is a wonderful opportunity for local and voluntary organisations to promote and showcase their work on social inclusion issues and I wish you all well in your endeavours."
