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17 October – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Fight Poverty, Not the Poor!
On 17 October, we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
This day reminds us that poverty isn’t an individual failure—it’s a systemic issue. Too often, people are blamed for their circumstances, while the systems around them fail to provide equal opportunities.
To end poverty, we need to shift our focus from blaming individuals to fixing the systems that perpetuate inequality. We must challenge outdated models and create solutions that are inclusive for all.
National Networks Activities
EAPN’s national networks undertake numerous activities to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Find out more!
Finland 
Germany 
EAPN Germany informs that on the week from Monday, October 14 to Sunday, October 20, 2024 socio-political events will take place across the country. Find more information here.
Secure housing – close the housing cost gap in livelihood security
Berlin, October 10, 2024 – The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty will be celebrated on October 17. In Germany, there is a great need for action to make sufficient and good housing accessible to all citizens.
The increase in the Citizen’s Income by the legislator at the beginning of 2024 has only compensated for the increase in inflation in Germany in recent years. Nevertheless, the public debate is currently dominated by issues such as benefit levels, obligations to cooperate and sanctions. In contrast, the considerable gaps in the livelihood security that have arisen in particular due to the increased cost of accommodation are not being discussed.
Over twelve percent of Citizen’s Income households have to pay an average of at least 100 euros in housing costs from the standard rate.
We cordially invite you to a press conference in which the National Poverty Conference, the Tenants’ Association, the BAG Wohnungslosenhilfe and the alliance ‘AufRecht bestehen’ will report on how great the pressure to act is in securing a livelihood against this background and what measures must be taken now to close the housing cost gap, prevent housing loss and ensure dignified living.
Who?
Michael David, Coordination Group National Poverty Conference
Head of Social Affairs and Participation Center, Diakonie Germany
Helga Röller, Alliance ‘AufRecht bestehen’, Frankfurter Arbeitslosenzentrum e.V.
Eva-Maria Winckelmann, Director of the German Tenants’ Association, Hesse Regional Association
Sabine Bösing, Managing Director of the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Wohnungslosenhilfe
People experiencing poverty: the often overheard voices in democracy
Berlin, October 17, 2024: People experiencing poverty should be able to help shape politics and be involved in relevant legislation in an advisory capacity. This is a key demand of the 40 participants of the future workshop “Political participation of people experiencing poverty”. This was organized by the German Caritas Association (DCV), the SKM Federal Association (SKM) and the SkF General Association (SkF) as a framework for the political participation of people affected by poverty in preparation for the annual Caritas Poverty Weeks.
This year, the focus of the Poverty Weeks is on strengthening the political participation of people experiencing poverty. “Peace begins with listening”. This motto is intended to give those affected by poverty the opportunity to be heard politically and to get involved. The aim is for political decision-makers at all levels to learn from those affected what they need for political participation.
Around a fifth of the German population (17.3 million people in 2022) is at risk of poverty. In 25,453 facilities of the Caritas network, people are listened to, advised and supported every day. Especially in view of the outcome of the recent state elections, it is important to give disadvantaged people a political voice. So that they see themselves as accepted members of a democratic society and support it. SKM, SkF and the DCV offer an active platform for this with the Poverty Weeks.
Better conditions for political participation demanded
At a parliamentary breakfast today, people experiencing poverty presented the members of the Bundestag from the Committee on Labor and Social Affairs with the position paper they had developed in the Future Workshop, including their findings and proposed solutions. Among other things, they call for people experiencing poverty to be given a binding say in committees relevant to social policy, such as the Advisory Board of the Federal Employment Agency. For the participants, it is clear that the experiences of people experiencing poverty hardly play a role in social policy decision-making processes. As those affected, they want to be involved in the political opinion-forming process with their valuable experience and actively help shape it.
They also call for politicians to be better qualified in their knowledge of the reality of life for disadvantaged people.
Greece 
EAPN Greece will mark the 17 October in their digital platforms dissiminating a short compilation of videos with their President, Marianella Kloka, discussing poverty issues with a representative from one of their most recent members. You can watch Marianella Kloka interview on the national TV channel KONTRA here.
Take this chance and learn more about poverty with EAPN Greece in their social media channels:
Portugal 
You can find all the activities across the country here.
XVI National Forum to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion – “Poverty and Social Exclusion: threats to Democracy “, 17 and 18 October, ATLAS – Municipal Library, Aveiro.This year the National Forum is organised with the firm conviction that many of the rights and achievements that the 25th of April guaranteed are now being questioned. We recognise the enormous progress made in health, education and human rights, but also ‘what remains to be done’ in housing, sustainable development and, above all, in the fight against poverty. This national meeting has the participation of citizens who experience poverty and social exclusion, who we will promote a critical reflection on the meaning of democracy, the rights and duties it guarantees and, above all, what we still need to achieve a full democracy, without inequality and without poverty, as advocated by the current National Strategy to Combat Poverty 2021-2030.
Journalism Award ‘Analysing Poverty in the Media’ EAPN Portugal Journalism Award aims to distinguish press articles that address poverty and social exclusion in a dignified manner, free of prejudice and/or negative representations. A total of 38 journalistic works (19 national and 18 regional) were put forward for the competition.The awards ceremony will take place on the 17th in Aveiro, as part of the XVI National Forum.
17 October | #REFLECT(-TE) – EAPN Portugal National Campaign
EAPN Portugal will carry out a national Campaign to be launched on the 17th of October and will be disseminated in the social media until the end of the month.
Based on the idea that poverty affects us all as a society, or can affect anyone in particular at any time, because it is reflected in the challenges facing the most varied spheres of life (family, employment, health, etc.), EAPN Portugal’s #Reflect(-te) Campaign proposes a real reflection on the link and the need to be aware of ourselves and the others.
+INFO www.eapn.pt
Spain 
- Report ‘The State of Poverty. Poverty and Territory. Autonomous Communities and Europe’
EAPN Spain will present the Report ‘The State of Poverty. Poverty and Territory. Autonomous Communities and Europe’ in the Spanish Senate, on the 14 October.
- Commemoration Ceremony for the Day for the Eradication of Poverty
EAPN Spain organised a Commemoration Ceremony for the Day for the Eradication of Poverty at the Ministerio de Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030, on the 17 October.
