"Wealth inequalities and severe poverty are matters of growing concern across the Union", says the European Parliament backing a first-reading compromise negotiated with the Council beforehand which designates 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The EU will provide €17 million for events, information campaigns and studies. 78 million EU citizens live at risk of poverty, 19 million of them are children, stresses the co-decision report. The initiative also was granted the Highest budget ever to a European Year.

The report was adopted with 635 votes in favour 29 against and 10 abstentions.  In amending the priorities for the European Year, MEPs therefore want initiatives to focus on fighting child poverty and the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Special attention should also be paid to large families, single parents, families caring for a dependent person and children in institutions.

Budget: Highest amount ever granted to a European Year

The EU will provide €17 million for events, information campaigns and studies in the course of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion - the highest amount ever granted to a European Year.  Actions on a European scale can receive benefits of up to 80%, whereas actions at local, regional or national level can be co-financed up to 50% from EU funds.
 
The events should inter alia address in-work poverty, homelessness as well as the needs of people with disabilities and their families. Initiatives should aim at facilitating access to culture and leisure opportunities and at overcoming discrimination of immigrants and ethnic minorities, stresses the text.