In the context of the 'European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion', the Committee of the Regions invited local and regional authorities, organisations and EU institutions to exchange good practice and expertise in the fight against poverty and social exclusion at local level. Against the backdrop of increasing unemployment and public deficits, the knowledge on innovative approaches to social problems will become more important for Europe's regions and cities.
In the European Union, about 84 million or 17% of the population live in poverty. This is of particular concern for local and regional authorities, as they have basic responsibility for framing, funding and carrying out policies designed to guarantee the integration of people who are socially, economically or culturally excluded. Local and regional aspects of the fight against poverty and social exclusion have been subject to recent Opinions of the Committee of the Regions, in particular as regards local aspects and lasting effects of related EU initiatives.
On the eve of its Plenary Session on 9 and 10 June 2010, the Committee of the Regions invited it’s Members, other interested regional and local representatives and experts to discuss initiatives and good practice in the fight against poverty and social exclusion in order to increase awareness of the regional and local level when it comes to formulate European responses. To facilitate exchange of good practices, the Members of the Committee have been invited to propose projects in the field of social innovation from their constituencies.
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