The European Parliament and the Council, by virtue of Decision 1098/2008/EC, of 22 October 2008, designated 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.

The aim of this Decision is to transmit to the European society the commitment of the EU with people experiencing poverty and social exclusion and to offer an opportunity to think over the problems these people have to confront, as well as to promote social participation on the prevention regarding poverty and social exclusion.