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The competition provides an opportunity for Young Europeansaged 18-30 to shape the concept of solidarity and present concrete solutions to fight poverty. Photo documentaries (3-6 photos), which illustrate local initiatives helping the most deprived groups, can be submitted by 30 September 2010. In addition to high value prizes such as semi-professional photographic kits, the winners will be invited to Brussels to attend a seminar on combating poverty in Europe and their photos will be displayed in an exhibition. The Europe-wide campaign Stop Poverty Now launched within the frame of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion has the ambitious goal of raising awareness of the many forms of poverty and stressing the right of people living in poverty to play a full part in society. It also aims to encourage actors active in this field to combine forces in the struggle against poverty and social exclusion by building partnerships. Europe is still one of the world’s most prosperous regions. The European social model, encompassing social welfare, social and cohesion policies, universal health systems and free education for all, is part of the foundation and deeply rooted identity of the European Union. However, despite all the efforts so far, not everyone can fully exploit the opportunities it offers: one in six Europeans, or 80 million people, currently live below the poverty line, calculated as 60 % of the median national income. More information:

• Photo competition
• 2010: European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion