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Eurochild AISBL

Eurochild is a network of organisations working to place children's rights and well-being at the heart of European policymaking based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Gelu Calacean (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

23 Jan 2026 · Policies related to the promotion of the rights and well-being of children

Meeting with Mario Nava (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) and

20 Jan 2026 · Exchange on the findings and recommendations of the Eurochild report; Unequal Childhoods: Rights on paper should be rights in practice

Meeting with Nikola Minchev (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Nov 2025 · Exchange of views

Meeting with Jüri Ratas (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Nov 2025 · Children´s rights

Meeting with Thomas Bajada (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Nov 2025 · Meeting on Children Rights

Eurochild demands 20 billion euro earmark to fight child poverty

23 Oct 2025
Topic — The consultation covers the European Union's next long-term budget framework starting in 2028.
Message — The organization calls for the EU to dedicate at least €20 billion to eradicate child poverty through binding spending targets. They also demand that children and advocacy groups have a guaranteed role in designing and monitoring social programs.12
Why — This would secure mandatory funding for their sector and increase their influence over policy.34
Impact — National governments would lose the flexibility to shift social funding toward broader economic needs.5
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Response to Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness

21 Oct 2025

We welcome the European Commissions initiative to develop a Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness to map out how we can strengthen communication between generations and ensure that the interests of present and future generations are respected throughout our policy and law-making. This initiative must maintain a strong focus on childrens rights, as children are among those paying the highest price for policymakers' decisions - or inaction. At the same time, they are increasingly contributing to the pursuit of intergenerational fairness, with a particular focus on future generations. While we reiterate our ongoing support for Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport, in this crucial work, including by sharing insights from our members on the ground, we would like to highlight key points that should be integrated into the strategy from a child rights perspective. Our recommendations include embedding child rights impact assessments in all EU, national, and local policymaking to systematically consider childrens rights. We also call for meaningful child participation, recognising children as active rights holders with valuable perspectives, especially those marginalised. Eurochild urges action against rising anti-rights movements that threaten childrens rights and civil society. We continue to advocate for a monitoring mechanism to support childrens rights defenders affected by this backlash. Policymakers and all actors supporting children must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of violence, in line with the EU Recommendation on Integrated Child Protection Systems. Breaking the intergenerational cycles of poverty and social exclusion, through initiatives such as the European Child Guarantee, is a critical priority. This requires early intervention, sustained investment in social services, and comprehensive policies that guarantee childrens access to education, health, nutrition, and protection. The new Multiannual Financial Framework should support these investments. Environmental justice is a key pillar of intergenerational fairness. Children, though least responsible for climate change, bear the greatest burden. Ensuring their environmental rights - including access to green spaces, clean water, and quality environmental education - is vital. We also stress the transformative power of education, especially in promoting human rights and inclusion, starting from early childhood. Last but not least, ensuring online safety through stronger protections and platform accountability will support childrens digital rights and contribute to safer societies. Eurochild remains committed to working with Commissioner Glenn Micallef and stakeholders to ensure that childrens rights are acknowledged and prioritised in shaping a just and inclusive future for all generations.
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Eurochild Urges EU to Define Cyberbullying and Hold Platforms Accountable

29 Sept 2025
Topic — The European Commission is developing a comprehensive action plan to tackle cyberbullying online.
Message — Eurochild requests a common EU definition of cyberbullying and stricter platform accountability. They want child-friendly reporting tools and targeted support for vulnerable children.12
Why — This proposal would secure long-term funding and a formal role for their helplines.3
Impact — Tech and gaming companies would face increased costs for content moderation and monitoring.45
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Meeting with Laura Ballarín Cereza (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion) and 5Rights Foundation

12 Sept 2025 · Protection of minors online

Response to The new Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

5 Sept 2025

Eurochild, Europes largest network on childrens rights, welcomes the opportunity to shape a renewed Action Plan. While the 2021 Plan delivered progress, child poverty remains alarmingly high: 19.5 million children (24.2%) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024. Child poverty is both a human rights violation and an economic failure, with long-term costs to societies. Preventing disadvantage from passing across generations is a crucial investment. Progress since 2021 The 2021 Plan put children firmly on the EUs social agenda: A target to lift 5 million children out of poverty by 2030. Child-specific indicators in the Social Scoreboard. Childcare coverage expanded under the European Care Strategy. The European Child Guarantee (ECG) adopted, with National Action Plans and biennial reporting integrated into the European Semester. 8.9 billion allocated via ESF+, with 11 Member States earmarking at least 5% for child poverty. Poverty data now disaggregated by age and households. These achievements show that prioritising children delivers results but efforts must be scaled and sustained. Challenges and gaps Despite these gains, Europe is off track to meet its child poverty targets: Weakening social protection: social transfers lift fewer children out of poverty. In-work poverty: rising, especially for families with children; levels exceed 10% in several countries. Education and ECEC: unequal access, declining performance, digital gaps. Child protection: underfunded, fragmented, with poor coordination; marginalised groups face significant barriers. Housing: 400,000 children homeless; 1 in 4 live in overcrowded homes; many lack adequate heating. Mental health: underfunded services, long waits, weak preventive care. Data gaps: limited or delayed data on children with disabilities, migrant and minority children, and those in alternative care. Recommendations for the next Action Plan Adopt a vision of eradicating (not just reducing) child poverty, integrating the UNCRC and General Comment 19 on public budgeting. Apply an intersectional approach; earmark EU funds for child-poverty measures; create a dedicated ECG budget line in the next MFF. Align with related EU strategies on housing, anti-poverty, anti-racism, gender equality, LGBTIQ+, intergenerational fairness, and enlargement. Increase national investment in services and the childrens workforce. Publish annual disaggregated child-poverty data (by disability, migration status, ethnicity, geography). Ensure children, families with lived experience, and civil society are involved in designing and evaluating measures. Make the ECG a fully funded, cross-sectoral framework, extended to enlargement countries. Anchor the Action Plan within the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. Strengthening responses The renewed Plan should: Expand social welfare through minimum income schemes, universal child benefits, and rights-based approaches. Ensure inclusive, high-quality education and ECEC, tackling barriers to participation. Reform child protection systems, ensuring family- and community-based care, adequate income, housing, healthcare, and mental health support. Address child homelessness and overcrowding through affordable housing and legal protections. Guarantee access to healthcare and mental health services for all children. Close the digital divide by ensuring digital literacy, connectivity, and tools. Ensure food security through school meals and community-based support. The 2021 Action Plan laid a strong foundation, but the scale of child poverty demands greater ambition. Strengthening the ECG, integrating childrens rights across policies, and sustaining investments will allow Europe to move beyond reducing child poverty towards eradicating it. Every child has the right to a life free from poverty and exclusion. The EU must act now - with urgency and accountability - to ensure no child is left behind.
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Meeting with Magnus Brunner (Commissioner) and

4 Sept 2025 · Protection of children from child sexual abuse

Response to EU Anti-Poverty Strategy

7 Aug 2025

Eurochild welcomes the development of the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and urges it to be bold, rights-based, and cross-sectoral, with child poverty eradication at its core. In 2024, 19.5 million children were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU. Poverty is a denial of childrens rights, with lifelong consequences. Eurochild stresses that poverty is not an individual failure but a result of political decisions, structural inequalities, and chronic underinvestment. The Strategy must shift from poverty reduction to eradication and embed a human rights-based approach. Children must be recognised as rights-holders. The Strategy should explicitly integrate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its General Comments, especially General Comment 19 on public budgeting. The Strategy must build on and strengthen the European Child Guarantee (ECG) by ensuring inclusive access to essential services, such as education, early childhood care, healthcare, housing, and nutrition, particularly for children in vulnerable situations. This requires disaggregated data collection, targeted funding, better cross-sector coordination, and integration into EU and national policies, including in enlargement countries. An intersectional approach is vital. Children with disabilities, migrant or ethnic minority backgrounds, or in alternative care, single-parent or large families, face overlapping forms of exclusion. The Strategy should align with key EU frameworks like the ECG, the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan, the Child Protection Systems Recommendation, and the upcoming European Affordable Housing Strategy. Eurochild outlines five key pillars for implementation: 1. Adequate funding: The Strategy must be supported by the Multiannual Financial Framework, including a dedicated 20 billion ESF+ budget for the ECG and a 5% earmark for child poverty. Enlargement funds must also support poverty reduction. 2. Child participation: Children with lived experience of poverty must be meaningfully involved in shaping, implementing, and monitoring the Strategy. 3. Civil society involvement: NGOs working with children must be engaged regularly, drawing on their local expertise and community links. 4. National strategies: Member States must adopt National Anti-Poverty Strategies with measurable targets, timelines, and sufficient resources, also at local levels. 5. Monitoring and accountability: Disaggregated data (by age, gender, disability, ethnicity, migration status) is essential. National reports should be complemented by independent evaluations and shadow reporting by civil society. Eurochild calls for investment in seven key areas: 1. Social welfare: Raise income support and strengthen child and family policies. 2. Education and ECEC: Ensure access to inclusive, quality, affordable education. 3. Child protection: Build proactive, family-centred systems to prevent neglect. 4. Housing: Combat child homelessness and overcrowding; prevent evictions. 5. Healthcare and mental health: Ensure accessible services, including in rural areas. 6. Digital inclusion: Close the digital divide for learning and development. 7. Nutrition: Provide healthy meals in schools and during holidays. Eradicating child poverty is a moral imperative and an investment in Europes future. The EU must adopt a transformative, well-resourced Strategy that tackles root causes and delivers sustainable, long-term change, ensuring no child is left behind.
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Eurochild urges EU to protect child rights civil society

24 Jul 2025
Topic — Developing a framework to support civil society and address shrinking civic space.
Message — Eurochild requests institutionalized engagement and co-creation of the proposed Civil Society Platform. They also demand sustainable funding and protection against rising anti-child rights narratives.12
Why — These measures would secure their influence in policy-making and ensure long-term financial stability.34
Impact — Conservative movements promoting traditional family values would face stronger EU-backed opposition.5
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Response to Anti-racism Strategy

23 Jun 2025

Eurochild urges the next EU anti-racism strategy to explicitly address how racial discrimination affects children. It should adopt a child rights approach, with concrete indicators to monitor progress and ensure accountability. 1. Child poverty and social exclusion Racialised children face disproportionate poverty and exclusion. In France (2023), 43.7% of children with non-EU-born parents were at risk of poverty, compared to 24.9% for the overall AROPE rate. These disparities arise from structural barriers. 2. Education Discrimination creates large education gaps. Bias, low expectations, bullying, and exclusion cause foreign-born students to underperform in many countries. Roma children are more likely to leave school early or attend segregated settings. Education systems must promote equity, inclusion, and human rights education and combat institutional discrimination. 3. Healthcare Only five EU countries guarantee equal access to healthcare for all children, regardless of their status. Migrant and refugee children often face barriers due to legal status, language, or trauma-related mental health issues. Healthcare systems must ensure inclusion. 4. Housing Discrimination in housing is widespread. People of African descent and Roma children experience overcrowding and deprivation. Private landlords often refuse housing based on ethnicity. Roma children in some areas lack access to basic facilities, such as tap water. These conditions reflect longstanding racial inequalities. 5. Birth registration and statelessness Children without birth registration or nationality face exclusion from essential services. Gaps in civil registration and discriminatory laws put thousands at risk of statelessness. Ensuring universal, non-discriminatory birth registration is vital for protecting childrens rights. 6. Child protection Roma and migrant children are overrepresented in alternative care due to systemic bias. Families are often deemed unfit based on poverty. In Sweden, ethnic minority children were assessed as higher risk despite similar conditions. Anti-racist practices must inform child protection measures. 7. Violence against children Racialised children experience higher rates of hate speech, bullying, and abuse. The strategy must include measures to prevent and respond to racially motivated violence. 8. Justice system Children from migrant backgrounds are more prone to detention and less likely to access alternatives. In Italy, they made up 8% of the child population in 2018, yet accounted for 36% of youth in detention. These patterns reveal racial disparities in legal decisions. 9. Racial profiling and policing Discriminatory stop-and-search practices are widespread across Europe. These practices damage childrens trust and well-being. Racial profiling, especially of Roma, Black, and Muslim children, must end. Law enforcement must be accountable and sensitive to childrens needs. 10. Migration policies The plight of migrant children exposes the racial and discriminatory dimensions of Europes immigration systems. At least 3,500 children have died in the central Mediterranean in the past 10 years. Border enforcement often prioritises immigration control over childrens rights. Pushbacks, detention, and abuse have been documented. 11. International relations and media Racism is also linked to the othering and media portrayal of children. This often reduces complex issues to oversimplified stories, further entrenching stereotypes and biases, and can lead to a lack of empathy for groups perceived as different. Racism also shapes the way children are perceived, represented, and treated, particularly in contexts of crisis, displacement, and humanitarian aid. A fair and inclusive response is required across all humanitarian and foreign policy efforts.
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Meeting with Hristo Petrov (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Caritas Europa

19 Jun 2025 · EU Anti-Poverty Strategy

Response to European Affordable Housing Plan

4 Jun 2025

This document has been drawn up as part of a joint contribution to the European Affordable Housing Plan call for evidence. This contribution is part of the implementation of Tanyas Dream Fund (TDF) project, Leveraging EU influence to deliver change for families in adversity in Bulgaria, led by Eurochild. The project aims to strengthen the prevention of child-family separation in Bulgaria by empowering civil society and influencing national policies. It supports EU-level monitoring of the European Child Guarantee (ECG)for example, by advocating for disaggregated data by ethnicityand works to equip policymakers and civil servants to redirect funding towards inclusive, community-based prevention measures. It also monitors the use of EU funds and gathers evidence to build accountability, while ensuring Bulgarian partners remain informed and engaged with EU-level developments relevant to families facing adversity, particularly Roma families. As representatives of civil society organisations and the academic sector working with and for children in Bulgaria we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the European Affordable Housing Plan and to underscore the potential for strategic alignment with existing EU frameworksparticularly the European Child Guarantee. Bulgarias ECG National Action Plan (NAP) highlights critical housing-related challenges for children from vulnerable backgrounds, including those raised by single parents, migrants, and ethnic minorities, especially Roma children. Our evidence submission presents a detailed analysis of the intersection of poverty, inequality, and housing exclusion, with a specific focus on children and Roma communities. It reveals severe disparities in material deprivation across ethnic groups and significant barriers to access to safe, legal, and affordable housing. Additionally, a chronic lack of affordable and social housing, the absence of a national housing strategy, and overreliance on outdated legal frameworks further exacerbate exclusion. The joint contribution is attached in its entirety. Signatories: Eurochild, Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance, Integro Association, Know-How Centre for the Alternative Care for Children, National Network for Children, Trust for Social Achievement More information: Kristiana Stoyanova, kristiana.stoyanova@eurochild.org
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Meeting with Li Andersson (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

12 May 2025 · Child protection policy

Meeting with Emmanuelle Grange (Head of Unit Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

1 Apr 2025 · Exchange of information on the Eurochild-organised event (peer to peer workshop) on the European Children Guarantee in Bulgaria and stock-taking on the Bulgarian context and child poverty.

Meeting with Saskia Bricmont (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

18 Mar 2025 · Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation

Meeting with Kim Van Sparrentak (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Mar 2025 · Children rights digital environment

Meeting with Erik Marquardt (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Feb 2025 · General exchange

Meeting with Marco Tarquinio (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Feb 2025 · childrens' rights

Meeting with Francesco Zoia Bolzonello (Cabinet of Commissioner Hadja Lahbib), Halliki Voolma (Cabinet of Commissioner Hadja Lahbib), Jan Hoogmartens (Cabinet of Commissioner Hadja Lahbib)

3 Feb 2025 · Discussion on Eurochild Flagship Report

Meeting with Hristo Petrov (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Jan 2025 · Meeting with President

Meeting with Marco La Marca (Cabinet of Commissioner Dubravka Šuica) and Save the Children Europe and

21 Jan 2025 ·  Presentation of CRAG  Pact on the Mediterranean: Safeguarding children in migration management  Middle East Strategy: West Bank  Family care in sub-Mediterranean countries  Youth policy dialogue

Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Commissioner)

19 Jan 2025 · MENA portfolio demography & children

Meeting with Nikola Minchev (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Jan 2025 · Meeting

Meeting with Andrea Wechsler (Member of the European Parliament) and European University Association and Haus & Grund Deutschland, e.V.

15 Jan 2025 · EU Policy

Meeting with Maria Ohisalo (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Dec 2024 · Child rights

Meeting with Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Dec 2024 · Drawing attention to the interest group's 2024 report on children in need across Europe

Meeting with Glenn Micallef (Commissioner)

3 Dec 2024 · Courtesy meeting to exchange views on the latest Eurochild Flagship report “Children's Realities in Europe: Progress & Gaps”.

Meeting with Hilde Vautmans (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Dec 2024 · Children

Meeting with Kris Van Dijck (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Nov 2024 · protection of children throughout EU policy

Meeting with Hristo Petrov (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Nov 2024 · Discussion with a representative of ECC

Meeting with Zala Tomašič (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion) and Stichting ECPAT International

5 Nov 2024 · proposed Directive on Child Sexual Abuse

Meeting with Pablo Arias Echeverría (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Oct 2024 · Protection of children in the EU, especially in the digital environment

Meeting with Hilde Vautmans (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

14 Oct 2024 · Children's rights

Meeting with Jeroen Lenaers (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

10 Oct 2024 · CSAM Directive

Meeting with François-Xavier Bellamy (Member of the European Parliament) and Future Advocacy

7 Oct 2024 · Protection des enfants en ligne

Meeting with Jana Toom (Member of the European Parliament) and EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION and

3 Oct 2024 · Social and Inclusive Growth

Eurochild urges child rights-based guidelines for online safety

30 Sept 2024
Topic — EU consultation on guidelines for online platforms to protect minors under the DSA.
Message — Eurochild advocates for guidelines centered on a child rights impact assessment rather than just specific risks. They call for outcome-based rules that involve children in the design of safety tools.12
Why — This framework would institutionalize child rights expertise within the tech industry's compliance processes.3
Impact — Tech companies lose revenue from addictive features like endless scrolls and data profiling.4
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Meeting with Lukas Sieper (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Sept 2024 · Eurochild Network Meet and Greet

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Sept 2024 · Joining the community of child rights supporters

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

21 Mar 2024 · Meeting with the Child Rights Action Group and the Child Advisory Board on the last Commission's achievements on social rights and social inclusion for children and youth.

Eurochild urges two-year extension to combat online child abuse

1 Feb 2024
Topic — Amending temporary rules allowing service providers to detect online child sexual abuse.
Message — Eurochild requests an extension of at least two years to prevent a protection gap. They insist the scope must still cover material showing child abuse and grooming.12
Why — The extension allows their member organizations to continue identifying victims and removing illegal content.3
Impact — Child victims suffer when detection gaps cause a massive drop in reports of abuse.45
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Meeting with Milan Brglez (Member of the European Parliament) and Save the Children Europe and

1 Feb 2024 · Promoting the rights of the children in the EU

Meeting with Radka Maxová (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Sept 2023 · Children's rights

Meeting with Frances Fitzgerald (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Jun 2023 · Child representation

Meeting with Ciarán Cuffe (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Jun 2023 · Role of young people and children in policy making

Meeting with Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and European Women's Lobby

20 Apr 2023 · Cross-border recognition of Parenthood

Meeting with Catharina Rinzema (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion)

28 Mar 2023 · CSAM

Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)

2 Mar 2023 · Courtesy meeting after event in the European Parliament

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

1 Mar 2023 · The European Child Guarantee and its implementation in the Member States

Meeting with Caterina Chinnici (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Mar 2023 · Findings of the latest Eurochild report, ‘(In)visible Children. Eurochild 2022 report on children in need across Europe’

Eurochild demands child-centered approach for new online safety rules

12 Sept 2022
Topic — The initiative defines the responsibilities of online service providers to detect child abuse.
Message — Eurochild calls for children to be involved in drafting and evaluating the new rules. They demand that businesses prioritize children's safety over profit and support an independent EU Centre.12
Why — This would give child rights organizations a stronger voice in digital legislation.3
Impact — Tech companies would face tighter regulations and higher accountability for child safety.4
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Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and Save the Children Europe and

27 Jun 2022 · Consolations with Youth Organisation on the Youth Action Plan

Meeting with Iris Abraham (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

4 May 2022 · Meeting with Eurochild secretariat - preparatory meeting for the VP's participation in the Dialogue with Eurochild Members

Response to Proposal for a Council Recommendation on long-term care

29 Mar 2022

Eurochild supports a ‘life-course’ and continuum of care approach, which considers care needs from infancy and throughout people’s lives. The Covid-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on the delivery of care, both formal and informal, impacting all age groups. Children and families have been profoundly affected, with particular disruptions to childcare, early childhood education, child protection services, care for children in alternative settings and children with disabilities and special educational needs. Our contribution focuses on: quality of early childhood education and care; caring for children with disabilities; provision of quality family and community-based care for children in alternative care; and young carers. Recommendations: - Sets out a comprehensive, positive, ambitious and life-cycle approach to care across the EU – from birth, infancy and childhood, throughout the life-course and into older age. Synergic collaboration with all interlinked authorities/DGs (not just SANTE, but EAC, EMPL, etc. should be ensured. Such a strategy should be based on fundamental rights and outline ways in which the EU can support Member States, develop a quality framework and catalyse best practice. - Identifies ways to ensure more public investment in early childhood education and care, including strengthening the capacity, remuneration and professional development of carers so they can respond to children’s care needs, with particular attention and investment in caring for children living in poverty and exclusion and those with complex and multiple needs. - Supports the development of community-based strengthening programmes and day-care centres for children and families at risk to prevent separation of children from their families. - Sets out a clear vision and roadmap for ending institutional care for all children and transitioning to quality family and community-based care, with increased investment and support services for family- and community-based care, including foster care and specialised foster care. - Recognises the role of young carers, understands and supports their needs and ensures their participation in all decisions which affect them. - Sets out ways to ensure that care workers are adequately recognised, supported and remunerated and have access to occupational training, health and safety and security, with opportunities for professional development and work-life balance. - Supports improved data collection on formal and informal care across the EU – disaggregated by gender, age, disability, availability and affordability, and the type of care provided or received. Such data must include the role and experiences of carers and those who are cared for, and their families, including children under 18. - Ensures the meaningful engagement with all relevant stakeholders: European and national civil society organisations, parents, families, caregivers and children in the development, implementation and evaluation of a Care Strategy, including children in alternative care and young carers. - Supports Member States’ implementation of the European Child Guarantee as an opportunity to increase public investment in care services for children, including ECEC services, and to strengthen caregivers’ capacity and expertise to respond to children’s care needs, especially the children most in need.
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Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)

8 Feb 2022 · Children's Rights

Meeting with Iris Abraham (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

13 Sept 2021 · Involvement of children in the Conference on the Future of Europe

Meeting with Iris Abraham (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

18 Jun 2021 · Eurochild members Day 2021-GA

Meeting with Iris Abraham (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica) and Save the Children Europe and

9 Jun 2021 · Meeting on Child Rights Strategy / EC- International CSOs

Meeting with Iris Abraham (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

5 May 2021 · Invitation to dialogue with European children's rights organizations - Preparatory meeting

Meeting with Iris Abraham (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

29 Mar 2021 · Meeting on Children's Participation in Conference Future of Europe

Meeting with Eva Gerhards (Cabinet of Commissioner Helena Dalli), Silvan Agius (Cabinet of Commissioner Helena Dalli) and

22 Mar 2021 · Exchange of Views on the Transition from institutional to Community-based Care.

Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)

9 Feb 2021 · Eurochild's report "Growing up in lockdown: Europe's children in the age of COVID-19"

Response to European Child Guarantee

7 Oct 2020

Eurochild advocates for children’s rights and well-being to be at the heart of policymaking. We are a network of organisations working with and for children throughout Europe, striving for a society that respects the rights of children. Eurochild welcomes the initiative to create a European Child Guarantee, in the form of a Council Recommendation. The economic recession following the pandemic will dramatically increase poverty levels, including child poverty levels across Europe. The value and urgency of the initiative is therefore very apparent. As partner of the EU Alliance for Investing in Children, Eurochild supports the joint submission to this consultation. Furthermore, Eurochild encourages the European Commission to: 1. Capitalise on the high level political commitment from the EU to call for long-term structural reforms for better outcomes for children in EU Member States. We welcome the proposal to have both national strategies for tackling child poverty and social exclusion as well as Child Guarantee Action Plans. This is an opportunity to recommend that every Member State sets a concrete target for reducing child poverty within the framework of its mulit-annual national strategy (at least until 2030). In line with the investing in children approach, national strategies on reducing child poverty and social exclusion should include the important component of the families’ access to adequate financial resources, the role of the welfare state, the labour market and the economy. Children’s access to high quality and affordable services needs to go hand in hand with reforms aimed at tackling inequality and income poverty. Similarly, the meaningful engagement of children in decision-making should be an integral part of national strategies. In 2017 the European Commission advised Member States that “national strategies on child participation could be put in place to promote awareness on how to involve children in all actions and decisions that concern them”. In turn, the Action Plans will identify children particularly at risk, the gaps in existing measures, and planned actions and investments Member States commit to make to support their access to services in particular. 2. Put in place a robust monitoring system. Monitoring and evaluation of the Child Guarantee at European level is essential. Eurochild recommends that the AROPE indicator be complemented by other key ‘indicators’ that ensure a comprehensive understanding of child poverty and social exclusion. 3. Ensure that EU funds are mobilised to prevent and tackle child poverty. The specific reference to the European Commission’s amendment of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) proposal is welcome, asking for EU Member States to earmark 5% of their ESF+ resources to tackle child poverty, especially as it links to the service areas of the Child Guarantee Action Plans. To ensure its strategic use and monitoring aligned with the priorities set in each country, EU Member States should be requested to wait with using the 5% ESF+ resources for tackling child poverty until the multiannual strategies and Child Guarantee Action Plans have been developed and agreed. 4. Promote the engagement of civil society. Eurochild’s membership spreads across all EU member states, and beyond the borders of the EU. We can not only contribute with expertise but capacity to realise the Child Guarantee across Europe. We urge the Commission to invite Member States to meaningfully engage civil society working with and for children in the design, implementation and monitoring of the Child Guarantee Action Plans and national strategies on child poverty and social exclusion. At a European level, opportunities for regular stocktaking on progress, with the involvement of civil society organisations and national and EU policy-makers should be provided. Please find the complete submission attached.
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Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)

22 Sept 2020 · Comprehensive Strategy on the Rights of the Child

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

16 Jun 2020 · Opening of the Eurochild Webinar “Child Guarantee: It’s Happening!” followed by a Question and Answer session.

Meeting with Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

5 Jun 2020 · Child Poverty

Meeting with Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit) and Save the Children Europe

13 Mar 2020 · Videoconference meeting on Child Guarantee.

Meeting with Helena Dalli (Commissioner)

14 Feb 2020 · Child Guarantee

Meeting with Ruth Paserman (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen), Stefaan Hermans (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen), Vasiliki Kokkori (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

17 Jun 2016 · Social Pillar

Meeting with Michael Jennings (Cabinet of Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva)

22 Dec 2015 · Discussing possibility of taking part in the 'Children Takeover Challenge' campaign

Meeting with Vasiliki Kokkori (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

27 Jan 2015 · Meeting to discuss child poverty in the EU2020 strategy

Meeting with Michel Servoz (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) and European Anti Poverty Network

19 Jan 2015 · To present the impact of the Alliances’ work and lessons learnt