Federal Prize for Poverty Reduction 2011

On 18 May 2011, Philippe Courard, Secretary of State for Social Integration, awarded the 3^rd Federal Prize for Poverty Reduction in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde. With this prize, Secretary of State Philippe Courard and Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde focused attention on the work performed and rewarded organisations and people who on a daily basis make efforts towards the reduction of poverty. From the numerous candidates presented for Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels Capital Region, 9 candidates were nominated. From among these nominees, the jury, which consisted of different people belonging to associations that are active in the fight against poverty, selected 3 winners (1 for each region). Secretary of State Philippe Courard explains that this year the assessment of the candidates was based on 3 themes: child poverty, active inclusion (a decent income, an inclusive labour market accessible to all, access to quality services) and volunteer work. 10,000.00 EUR in prize money was awarded to the 3 laureates. They can use this money for new projects or initiatives on poverty reduction. The 9 nominees also participated in the production of a promotional film showing their projects. This film will be handed to them so they can use it for the promotion of their project or action. For Philippe Courard the Federal Prize is also a way to raise awareness among the population at large of the importance of a continued fight against the phenomena related to poverty.

The 2011 LAUREATES

FLEMISH REGION - 2011 laureate - BALEN Public Social Welfare Centre - Local anti-poverty policy Balen

The fight against disadvantage is a priority for the Balen Public Social Welfare Centre. In the working group on anti-poverty policy people from the Public Social Welfare Centre together with experts by experience, Welzijnsschakel volunteers and Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen look for solutions to problems faced by people living in poverty in the areas of health, income, work, education, etc. They set up actions to raise people’s incomes, increase the accessibility of services and make people stronger. Examples of such actions are: a list of signals to enable teachers to recognise poverty, a card that reduces doctors’ fees, a course where people can learn to cook healthy, tasty and affordable meals, the leisure voucher, reference cards, ...

WALLOON REGION 2011 laureate - The Bébé Bus of Groupe d’Animation de la Basse-Sambre

Groupe d’ Animation de la Basse-Sambre presented an original concept which tries to provide an answer to the fact that few solutions are available to the lack of childcare facilities (insufficient places), attaches great importance to equal opportunities (special attention is paid to underprivileged and single-parent families), offers something extra on top of the traditional childcare resources, takes advantage of the benefits of the economy of scale (by using existing venues, mainly in the evenings and on weekends), uses the system of moving between different locations, reaching as large a number of people as possible (an actual geographically-based neighbourhood service, but also one based on relationships).

BRUSSELS CAPITAL REGION 2011 laureate - Assembl’âges ASBL

The mission of non-profit organisation Assembl’âges is to set up intergenerational activities aimed at young children, young people, the family, school, the elderly and the very old in the whole of Belgium. The association also gives people of different ages the opportunity to meet each other in the framework of common goals, to receive training and create a sense of cohesion.