The European Union has joined forces with its Member States to make 2010 the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The key objectives are to raise public awareness about these issues and renew the political commitment of the EU and its Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion.
Since 2000, the European Union has provided, through the open method of coordination, a framework for national strategy development as well as for policy coordination between EU countries on issues relating to poverty and social exclusion. This coordinated action at European level is reflected in national action plans.