Discover below a visual report of events around Ireland marking the International UN Eradication of Poverty Day – 17 October 2025
For more information on these events you can view the Irish 17 October Committee’s National 17 October 2024 programme booklet. The 17 October Committee is grateful to all the stakeholders and volunteers who made all of these events possible. Thank you to the Department of Social Protection for funding all these projects.
NORTH KERRY ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM
NKEF had a workshop with 2 different aged youth groups providing insights on extreme poverty, the importance of the #Addthe10th Campaign to recognise socio-economic status /barriers as the additional ground of discrimination in equality legislation and facilitation, listening safe space on the issues, impacts and effects of poverty and exclusion on our community and beyond. Additionally there was an extensive poster and media campaign on the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty and creative co inspired session to envision a world without poverty and the SDG’s.
CHILDREN 4 WORLD CHILDREN
BLANCHARDSTOWN CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
BCIL held an Eradication of Poverty event in our community garden in Dublin 15. Members of BCIL and other Disability Groups from the local area gathered to mark the day by planting a tree. The group also produced a booklet and leaflets around the extra cost of disability. Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers was also present on the day to meet members and hear from the lived experience of disability in the local community.
DISABILITY PARTICIPATION NEWS HUB
“Disabled Women & Poverty: The Cost of Exclusion”
Last Friday, on the UN International Day of Eradication of Poverty, disabled women and non-binary people gathered together to address the links between disability, gender, and poverty. This hybrid event was co-hosted by Disabled Women Ireland and the Disability Participation News Hub to start important conversations led by those with lived experience. We gathered to share our stories — to speak about the costs of disability, the barriers to earning a fair wage, and the challenges in accessing adequate social protection. More importantly, we came together to build a movement for change — to strengthen networks of disabled women and non-binary people, supported by Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) and other civil society allies, working collectively to address poverty and inequality in our community.
BAGENALSTOWN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
In recognition of the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Bagenalstown FRC has created a short video that highlights the strength, resilience, and lived experiences of people within our community who face the challenges of poverty. Watch the full film here.
ST BRIGID’S FAMILY & COMMUNITY CENTRE
A ‘Grow Your Own’ Initiative workshop was held in St Brigid’s Family &Community Centre, Waterford, to commemorate the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
LUS NA GRÉINE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
Lus Na Gréine FRC had a very successful event on October 16th for their “Poverty Has Many Faces” project. They reached a very broad community.
TULLAMORE COMMUNITY & FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
On October 17th, the Tullamore Community & Family Resource Centre marked the United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty under the theme “Working Together with a Radical Hope and Decisive Action to End Poverty and Leave No One Behind.” Guest speaker John Devery, President of St. Vincent de Paul, addressed attendees, who shared messages of hope and added painted handprints to a window in solidarity with those affected by poverty worldwide. Over 40 participants enjoyed a community lunch, and an accompanying Art Box Café session, which invited creative reflection on the theme through watercolour painting. The event was promoted through the Centre’s newsletter, social media, distributed locally and available on-site.
ACCESS IT
As part of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty the 17th of October 2025 Access I.T. ran a free Canva workshop. The work shop covered making compelling posters and social media posts that highlight lived experiences of poverty and exclusion. They ran Monday afternoons 2pm to 4pm for 3 weeks. There were three specific workbooks for each work shop and the feed back from the students was amazing.
Testimonials: “The course content was well organised and easy to follow and the course materials were to a very high standard. It was a great course thanks Ger. Brilliant tutor.”
“Everything was very well explained at the beginning and the course was very easy to follow. I would rate the course 9.5 out of 10. Thank you, Ger, for your time as well.”
“I would strongly agree that the content of the course was easy to follow the work books we sat a very high degree and I was very satisfied with the course. Great course, Thanks Ger, Brilliant tutor.”
Click here to watch some interviews with students from Waterford South East Technical University to hear their views on poverty.
DISABILITY FEDERATION OF IRELAND
WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE IRELAND MULLINGAR
Mullingar Community College Artwork
Students from the Junior and Senior Cycle at Mullingar Community College created and presented artwork at the event. Their pieces explored the barriers and challenges surrounding women’s health, offering powerful visual perspectives on the topic.
Her Heart Matters – Sharon Butler, Irish Heart Foundation
Sharon Butler delivered an insightful presentation on the importance of women’s heart health, as part of the Her Heart Matters campaign by the Irish Heart Foundation.
Guest Speaker – Anna D. Atkinson
Anna D. Atkinson, a tutor at WCP known for her creative courses, also spoke at the event, sharing her experiences and contributions to women’s education and creativity.
Closing Remarks – Pearse Murphy, WCP Chairperson
Pearse Murphy, Chairperson of WCP, closed the event with a few short words of thanks and reflection.
Guest Speakers (Left to Right)
- Paula O’Connor
- May Hourican
- Eileen McDarby
- Ahmad Reshad Safi
- Mary Murray
- Kirsty Finn
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRES MID WEST REGION
The FRC Mid West Region had a great event to mark October 17th in Limerick. All 9 FRCs in the Mid-West came together to share experiences of poverty and have time for reflection and to raise awareness.
ASTER FAMILY SUPPORT
Aster Family Resource Centre hosted an afternoon workshop to celebrate International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17th. They had a conversation around ways to overcome poverty. The group heard from special guest speakers from our community about their own experiences of poverty, as well as presentations from services that discussed their plans to support people to overcome poverty. All attendees were then invited to plant their hopes and dreams for a poverty free future in a community garden with the support of Balbriggan Tidy Towns. The day was ended with food and refreshments.
KENMARE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
17 OCTOBER COMMITTEE & ATD IRELAND
The 17th October Committee, in cooperation with ATD Ireland hosted an event on Friday the 17th of October to mark 25 years of commemorating of the UN International End Poverty Day at the Human Rights and Poverty Stone, Dublin. Central to this event were 9 testimonies of people with lived experience of poverty, exclusion and displacement.
