Secretary of State for Poverty Reduction, Zuhal Demir, launched Monday, in collaboration with the national lottery, an appeal for projects making it easier for persons in the situation of poverty to accede to sports and culture. The initiative, with a budget of 1.6 million euros, is totally financed by the national lottery, which supports each year hundreds of social, cultural, scientific, sport and humanitarian projects.
Interested organizations are invited “to present proposals that will make the participation in sports and culture a means to favor social cohesion.”
“For, too often, we have to admit that persons touched by poverty do not find the way to sport or youth associations, or cultural centers,’’ insists Minister of Budget, in charge of the national lottery, Sophie Wilmès, in a press release. “Of course, the financial aspect plays a role in this public’s underrepresentation in these activities, but social and cultural factors also contribute to reduce their participation.’’
“Sport and exercise are not beneficial only because they represent a healthy way of life, but also because they favor self-confidence, which children in situations of poverty often lack,” indicated Zuhal Demir. “Participation in cultural life helps avoid the feeling of exclusion. Taking an active part in the society is essential for stopping social isolation.”
The Brussels Times
