The Future of Social Investment in Europe: Children at the Heart of the MFF 2028–2034
14 October 2026; 09:00–12:20; European Parliament InfoHub, Brussels & online.
Eurochild and Save the Children, as co-chairs of the EU Alliance for Investing in Children, together with members of the Tanya's Dream Fund EU Collaborative and other civil society partners, are organising a hybrid event at the European Parliament Info Hub in Brussels to discuss how the EU Budget can better support children and families.
As negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) gather pace, the event will explore how the future EU budget can better prevent child poverty and social exclusion by strengthening social investment, supporting the European Child Guarantee, preserving a strong European Social Fund (ESF), and investing in quality services, prevention and integrated support for children and families.
The discussion will focus on:
The event will feature high-level representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission, civil society organisations, philanthropic partners and practitioners sharing evidence and experiences from across Europe.
- the social dimension of the next MFF and the future of ESF+;
- tackling child poverty and social exclusion through strategic EU investment;
- implementing the European Child Guarantee;
- prevention-oriented and integrated services for children and families;
- partnerships between public authorities, civil society and philanthropy to maximise the impact of EU funding.
Event co-funded by Tanya's Dream Fund.
Agenda and speakers
9:00 Registration
9:15 Welcome remarks - Philipp Schulmeister, DG COMM, European Parliament
9:25 Opening remarks - Ally Dunhill (Eurochild); MEP Klara Dobrev (video message
9:35 Panel 1 - The Future of Social Investment in Europe: Children at the Heart of the 2028–2034 MFF
Moderator: Ally Dunhill, Eurochild. Panellists: Catalin Gheran, European Commission; MEP Estelle Ceulemans, European Parliament; Zuzana Konradova, Eurochild; Enrico Tormen, Save the Children; Georgi Elenkov, National Network for Children - Bulgaria.
11:00 Panel 2 - From Funding to Impact: Partnerships and Investments to End Child Poverty
Moderator: Jana Hainsworth, Tanya’s Dream Fund. Panellists: MEP Hristo Petrov; Emilia Postolache, Council of Europe Development Bank; Bianca Faragau, European Investment Bank; Linnéa Plöen Casterud, Save the Children Sweden; Delia Pop, Tanya's Dream Fund.
12:10 Closing remarks - Luz Larosa (Save the Children)