We propose the definition of T-KKM points and consider generic stability of T-KKM mappings and essential components of sets of T-KKM points. As applications, using a unified approach, we derive from these results the existence of essential components of solution sets to various optimization-related problems. We do this in two steps. First we deduce the corresponding results for variational inclusions, which are new. Then we obtain, as consequences, the existence of essential components of solutions to other problems, which are new or include recent ones in the literature. Key words T-KKM mappings, T-KKM points, generic stability, essential components, variational inclusions, maximal elements, Nash equilibria, Pareto efficiency, quasi-optimization Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) 90C31 · 90C48 · 91B50 · 47H04 · 49J40