Inspired by its founding principle of solidarity, the European Union joined forces with its Member States to make 2010 the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The key objectives were 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. The guiding principle of the 2010 Year was to give voice to the concerns of people who have to live with poverty and social exclusion, and to inspire everyone to engage with these important issues.

This principle is one which we should continue to employ - we should continue to challenge stereotypes. We have therefore asked some students and staff to write about these issues as they relate to their personal experiences of the Erasmus programme.

Adwoa Acquah - a Black British student who studied in Sweden and the Netherlands
Shivani Raghvani - a British student of Indian heritage who ventured to Turkey
Jessica Su-Hui Tan - an Anglo-Chinese student who worked abroad in Germany
St Mary's Belfast - an Intensive Programme on Social Inclusion in education
Glasgow Caledonian - encouraging students from some of the UK's poorest areas to participate
Zoe Maclean and Jennifer Murray - students who didn't let their disabilities stop them from going abroad

Every year students with special needs or disabilities take part in the Erasmus programme, taking advantage of the additional funding that is given to such students. Find our more for disabled students here

Celebrating the UK's contribution to combating poverty and social exclusion

We are proud to present 'Kaleidoscope' a selection of real life stories about how UK organisations, involved in the European Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in Action, are helping disadvantaged learners and young people to move forward in their lives.

A Report on Recommendations for a More Inclusive and Accessible Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)

The European Thematic Network ‘Inclusion’ has produced a report 'Lifelong Learning for All' outlining a set of key recommendations to make the current LLP and future Education and Training Programme more inclusive and accessible for people with fewer opportunities. The recommendations are the result of a review of all the documents produced by the ‘Inclusion’ network to date as well as an analysis of key external consultations on the LLP and wider EU strategy documents. They are a response to the main findings and challenges to the participation of people with fewer opportunities in the programme and have been compiled in consultation with decision makers, stakeholders and beneficiaries participating in the programmes.