Eurochild calls for stronger commitment to children's rights in the new European Commission

On 17 September, President Ursula von der Leyen presented the team of European Commissioners for the next five years. As a child rights-focused organisation, Eurochild is concerned over the absence of a clear focus on children's rights and urges the European Commission to take stronger, more decisive steps to put the rights of all children at the center of their policies and legislation.

In a European Union focused on prosperity, competitiveness, and security, children's rights are being sidelined. While youth policies have rightly received attention, the absence of a dedicated Commissioner representing the interests of all children, including the youngest, remains a critical gap. Ongoing initiatives, such as the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child and the European Child Guarantee, are referenced, but with far too little ambition to meaningfully improve their scope or funding. Early childhood development, a critical foundation for any society’s future, has been completely overlooked.

Children's social rights are largely concentrated in the portfolio of Roxana Mînzatu, the Executive Vice-President for People, Skills, and Preparedness, supported by Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC) and the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.  Her mission letter outlines a new Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), to be presented in 2025. Eurochild welcomes the development of the first Anti-Poverty Strategy and the strengthening of the Child Guarantee, aimed at preventing and combating social exclusion through education, healthcare, and other essential services. Additionally, Vice-President Mînzatu has committed to improving the mental health of children and young people. Education, a key area for children's development, will also be under her purview, with a focus on the European Education Area, an Action Plan on Basic Skills, and a STEM Education Action Plan.

Youth policies, receive a more explicit focus within the portfolio of Glenn Micallef, Vice-President for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport. His mandate highlights the importance of intergenerational fairness, particularly for young people. We applaud the continued support for youth engagement through annual Youth Policy Dialogues and the establishment of the President’s Youth Advisory Board, as well as the development of the Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness. However, we urge the Commission to extend the same level of ambition to children. Research on the impact of social media and the action plan on cyberbullying should be expanded to include children, who are among those most affected. While the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child is mentioned, it lacks sufficient action-oriented commitment for the 2024-2029 period.

In the mission letter for Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner-designate for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality, we welcome the introduction of a new Gender Equality Strategy, a post-2025 LGBTQ Equality Strategy, a new Anti-Racism Strategy, the implementation of the EU Strategic Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion, and Participation, and the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. While these are all essential for future generations, children are notably absent from her mandate. We have noted with concern the integration of "Equality" into the portfolio of the Commissioner-designate for Preparedness and Crisis Management. Considering global conflicts, the increasing effects of climate change, and the importance of non-discrimination policies, we believe these issues warrant more focused attention.

Magnus Brunner, Commissioner-designate for Internal Affairs and Migration will lead efforts to strengthen the protection of children from sexual abuse, both online and offline. He will also oversee the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and spearhead the development of the first European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy. Dubravka Suica, Commissioner-designate for the Mediterranean, will also contribute to the implementation of the Pact and will lead the work on the New Pact for the Mediterranean. She will also support the High Representative/Vice-President on an EU Middle East Strategy with a view to the day after the war on Gaza, and advance the multi-year support Programme for the Palestinian Authority.

Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner-designate for Energy and Housing, will propose the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan, and tackle systemic housing issues, such as the short-term accommodation rentals. Marta Kos, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, will prepare for the gradual integration of candidate countries, by incentivizing and supporting structural reforms. She will also lead the Commission’s continued and sustained support of Ukraine.

In the previous Commission (2019-2024), DG Justice played a pivotal role in delivering the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. This responsibility has now shifted to the portfolio of the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport. Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath, tasked with Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law, should prioritize the establishment of a Civil Society Platform to enable more systematic civil dialogue. This platform would also be instrumental in strengthening protections for civil society activists and human rights defenders. We urge that all civil society actors, including child rights defenders, be actively engaged in this process, especially as children’s rights have come under increasing threat in several EU Member States.

Other Commissioner-designates, including Henna Virkkunen (Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy), and Raffaele Fitto (Cohesion and Reforms) will also play a crucial role in upholding children’s rights. Yet none have children as a priority.

Eurochild urges the European Commission to take stronger, more decisive steps to put the rights of all children at the center of their policies and legislation. We remain eager to collaborate with the new Commission in developing its agenda and programmatic work plans toward delivering real change for children.