European Parliament backs real investment to end child poverty, now the EU must deliver
Eurochild, as co-chair of the Alliance on Investing in Children, welcomes the European Parliament’s adoption of the INI Report, placing child poverty at the heart of the EU’s agenda and calling for a dedicated €20 billion budget for the European Child Guarantee. The Alliance now urges strong implementation and sustained funding to ensure lasting impact for children across Europe.
The adoption of the Parliament’s EU Anti-Poverty Strategy Report is a milestone that recognises the European Child Guarantee as a cornerstone of the EU’s response to child poverty and social exclusion. Key messages include:
- A call for a dedicated €20 billion envelope for the European Child Guarantee in the next Multiannual Financial Framework
- Stronger ESF+ earmarking to support children in vulnerable situations
- Transparent governance with meaningful involvement of civil society
- A prevention-first approach focused on early support, inclusive education, and integrated child protection systems
- Stronger monitoring through the European Semester and better data for children in need
The next critical milestone: reinforcing effective implementation of the European Child Guarantee
Crucially, the Parliament’s call also recognises something policymakers too often forget: the Child Guarantee is already working and delivering results. National action plans, ESF+ investment, biennial reporting and coordinated implementation have expanded school meal programmes, strengthened inclusion measures, and supported new models of social innovation that would not exist without this European framework.
The strengthening must also address persistent gaps, such as:
- Cross-sectoral and multi-level governance collaboration with a strong focus on local implementation and decision-making.
- Stronger Commission coordination and guidance.
- Better data and monitoring for children in vulnerable situation.
- Sustainable funding beyond one budget cycle.
Today’s parliamentary vote demonstrates that ambitious solutions are possible. The task now is to ensure that the Commission strengthens the Child Guarantee decisively, and that the EU’s budget negotiations deliver the resources needed to make child poverty reduction real, measurable, and lasting.
