The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy is the first of its kind at EU level. It sets a target of reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, with the stated aim of helping to eradicate poverty in the EU by 2050. It is organised around three priorities: quality jobs, access to services and income support, and coordinated action across Member States.

The Communication on breaking the cycle of child poverty which strengthens the European Child Guarantee, focuses on families’ access to jobs, childcare and safety nets; access to services for vulnerable children; and investment in children.

The proposal for a Council Recommendation on fighting housing exclusion addresses housing affordability and homelessness across Europe. It proposes a shift from emergency responses towards prevention, including early interventions for at-risk households, stable housing solutions, and greater investment in social and affordable housing.

The Communication enhancing the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities up to 2030 updates the existing strategy with a focus on implementation. It covers access to rights and services, independent living, inclusive employment and education, and disability inclusion in the EU’s external action.

Eurochild will publish short reactions on social media and has already responded to media enquiries on the day of their publication. Over the coming days and weeks, we plan to publish fuller reactions and dedicate more time to analysing these instruments in depth, with a particular focus on what they mean for children and families across Europe.

We will share further updates with you as soon as they are available.

These sessions are designed as a members-only space, and we invite you to register for one or both of these sessions:

• 11h30-12h30 CET: Online networking session.
• 14h30-15h30 CET: Afternoon open space for exchange on members’ work to advance children’s rights across the Eurochild community.

Read the agenda and register now.

If you would like to present an inspiring practice during the Open Space session, you can include your idea in the registration form or contact Ciaran from the Secretariat.

On 7 May, as a member of Eurochild and the Alliance for Investing in Children, Don Bosco International (DBI) participated in the event “Children’s Mental Health Across All Their Environments”. Hosted by MEP András Tivadar Kulja at the European Parliament, the session brought together institutional leaders and civil society to address the growing mental health crisis among Europe’s children and youth through a holistic lens.

Speaking on behalf of DBI and the Salesians of Don Bosco Italy, Fr. Elio Cesari presented the “Bridge2Autonomy” best practice, delivering a powerful intervention focusing on the vital link between educational stability and psychological well-being. The presentation highlighted a pressing emergency in the post-pandemic era: the fragmentation of support systems for students with cognitive disabilities within the Italian school system.

The project responds to a reality that we can no longer overlook. In the 2022/2023 school year in Italy, 338,000 students, the equivalent to 4.1% of the total school population, were identified as having a disability, with a 7% increase in just one year. In secondary education, 48% of students with disabilities have an intellectual disability. There is another particularly critical datum: 60% of students with disabilities change their support teacher every year. This “educational discontinuity” is a primary factor of vulnerability, directly affecting children’s emotional stability and their trust in the school environment.

As a concrete solution, the Bridge2Autonomy project is designed to support students with cognitive disabilities in the complex transition from school to adult life. The new model shifts the focus from isolated interventions to a holistic ecosystem that involves the school, the family, and the wider community.

The central innovation presented was the Inclusion Tutor, who represents a constant and reliable presence in the student’s life. Unlike traditional support models, the Tutor operates both inside and outside the school environment, maintaining a relationship with the student even after graduation. In this interconnected role, the Tutor acts as a vital bridge between the student’s individual goals, the family’s needs, and local employment or social services.

As of April 2026, the project involves 244 students, mainly in their fourth and fifth years of secondary school, across 11 Italian regions, covering 23 cities and 39 schools. There are 94 Inclusion Tutors actively involved; 39 memoranda of understanding have been signed, and 17 territorial entities are engaged.

While sharing moving success stories of students who regained their independence, the Salesians of Don Bosco stressed that such initiatives must not remain “isolated good practices.” The intervention urged policymakers to transform these successful models into guaranteed rights, through adequate investments, educational continuity and a multidimensional approach. For DBI, advocacy means ensuring that the “preventive” spirit of Salesian education becomes a structural reality across Europe, securing a stable and inclusive future for every child.

Further information:

Email Don Bosco International

The first Dialogue is happening in Geneva from 6-7 July 2026, and the UN has invited children to share their views on how AI is impacting them. 

To make this happen, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project, 5Rights Foundation, Child Rights Connect, the Digital Futures for Children center, and the Office of the UN Secretary General’s are running a global survey for children, ‘Me & AI’, until 28 May.

The results of the survey will be analysed by a group of children from across the world and used to develop concrete recommendations in a report (a separate email on this). This report will be presented at the Global Dialogue in a meeting with governments and other decision-makers, and used to advocate for children’s rights beyond this event.

We know this is a topic that children would like to have a say on, so please share as relevant with the children you work with as well as your partner organisations!  The survey is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic at www.bit.ly/me-and-ai-26.

Eurochild welcomes the European Parliament’s negotiating position on the next EU budget, adopted on 28 April, and its recognition that EU funding must support the Union’s core social objectives, including the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

At a time when nearly one in four children in the EU is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, the next EU budget must be a key driver in tackling child poverty. Instruments such as the European Child Guarantee and the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy require strong and dedicated financial backing to deliver meaningful change for children across Europe.

We particularly welcome the Parliament’s call to preserve the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) as a standalone instrument with a with a dedicated financial envelope of EUR 124,19 billion which is aligned with Eurochild’s call. This is essential to ensure continued investment in combating child poverty and social exclusion, developing and expanding inclusive and accessible ECEC, education, and support for the most vulnerable children.

However, we are concerned about proposals to reduce funding for programmes that support civil society and social innovation. Civil society organisations play a crucial role in reaching children and families in need, promoting fundamental rights, and ensuring accountability in the use of EU funds. The EU must actively counter the rise of anti-rights movements, which are already having a significant impact on children. Weakening their support risks undermining the EU’s capacity to combat not only child poverty and social exclusion but also violations of children’s rights.

The next MFF must not only maintain but strengthen investment in children and civil society. A robust, rights-based EU budget is essential to uphold the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and to deliver on the commitment to lift millions of children out of poverty by 2030. Eurochild network will continue to provide evidence and recommendations to help shape an EU budget that delivers for children.

From 14–16 April, we welcomed partners to Utrecht and Arnhem for a peer learning visit centred on exchange, inspiration, and collaboration across sectors. From our role at Dynamics of Youth, Utrecht University, we organised and hosted parts of this visit to facilitate connections between research, practice and policy, in line with our mission to improve opportunities for children and young people. Initiated by Eurochild, the visit brought together the Swedish ESF+ Council and Dutch stakeholders to explore how EU social funding can create meaningful impact.

The delegation from Sweden included representatives working in different parts of the country in both rural and urban settings. With their practical experience at a municipality level (for example free music lessons in Örebro and after-school activities in Uppsala) the scene was set for lots of exchange and learning with Dutch participants!

The programme combined field visits, policy discussions and academic insights. It began with a welcome in Utrecht, followed by a visit to the National Programme Arnhem Oost, where participants gained first-hand insights into local approaches supporting children, youth and families. The learning and exchange continued during two inspiring site visits. At secondary school ‘t Venster, discussions focused on inclusive education through tailored support and strong school–community partnerships. At youth work organisation Presikhaaf University, participants explored outreach work and the importance of building trust and accessible spaces for young people.

It takes a community of EU networks, academics and practitioners to drive change for children

A key moment was the session hosted by the Equal Opportunities Alliance, bringing together representatives from government, municipalities and schools. Through panel discussions and group work, participants explored the importance of collaboration across governance levels and shared experiences from both Sweden and the Netherlands.

On the last day at Dynamics of Youth, Utrecht University, the focus shifted to research and innovation. We highlighted how interdisciplinary collaboration helps connect scientific insights with societal challenges, and how initiatives such as this peer learning visit contribute to capacity building and mutual learning. Contributions from Eurochild and Dynamics of Youth underscored the importance of linking policy, practice, and research to create sustainable impact. An inspiring keynote emphasised the need of investing in children and young people, while underlining that long-term relationships and personal connections are essential for initiatives to be truly effective in practice.

Key takeaways from the visit included:

• Co-creation and partnership are essential for effective and sustainable outcomes
• Free-time activities, such as sport and culture, play a vital role in children’s wellbeing and inclusion
• EU funding must remain accessible, human-centred and focused on children’s needs
• Stronger links between policy, research and practice enhance impact

Participants concluded the visit feeling re-energised, strengthened in their connections, and united in their commitment to continuing efforts that support children and young people.

This publication is the result of a year-long collaboration between Eurochild and the Learning for Wellbeing Foundation, driven by a shared commitment to meaningful child participation. The project was funded by the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC).

Created by children, for children, and with children, this guide outlines 10 practical actions to help schools become safer, more inclusive, and nurturing environments. These actions include fostering positive school climates, embedding social and emotional learning from an early age, strengthening partnerships between schools and communities, and ensuring that mental health support is accessible to all pupils.

The report concludes with concrete recommendations for decision‑makers, developed from the views, experiences and priorities of more than 200 children across Europe, gathered through participatory processes including the Eurochild National Children’s Forum and the EU Children’s Participation Platform.

Children were involved as active creators of this child-friendly report, which was based on the European Commission Guidelines on Mental Health and Wellbeing at School, and were supported by Darren Bird, Child Participation Expert, and Laure Pailleau, Eurochild’s Child Participation Officer. Children started working online and then had an intensive three-day in-person meeting, where children collaborated to develop the core content of the child-friendly guidelines and began exploring creative design ideas with the support of professional designers from Brand Studio.

The project concluded in November, when the children returned to Brussels to present the guidelines to EU policymakers, including Vice-President Ewa Kopacz, and representatives from the European Commission’s DG EAC and DG JUST.

Read the full report

Interested? Further information here and register here to apply to join the community of practice and help develop citizenship education tools that work for teachers. 

As negotiations on the next EU long-term budget (2028–2034 MFF) intensify, key decisions will determine whether the EU strengthens or weakens its commitment to tackling child poverty. Decisions taken in the coming months will shape EU investment in children for the next 7-year framework.

What the Taskforce will do

• Provide regular policy updates on MFF negotiations
• Share advocacy tools, messaging, and country-specific guidance
• Jointly develop practical guidelines and templates to support members’ national-level advocacy (e.g. engagement with Managing Authorities, input to national plans, and use of EU funding instruments)
• Support engagement with national Ministries, Managing Authorities, and EU institutions
• Facilitate peer exchange and coordination among members
• Strengthen links between EU-level advocacy and national implementation

Duration and structure of the taskforce

• Duration: 2 years (2026–2027), aligned with key phases of MFF negotiations
• Meetings: 3–4 online meetings per year
• Additional engagement: Ad-hoc meetings and coordination moments as needed, depending on negotiation developments

Who should join

• Organisations (advocacy) working on children’s rights, child poverty, or social inclusion
• Members engaged with EU funds (ESF+, ERDF, RRF, AMIF, etc.)
• Those willing to influence national budget priorities and EU negotiations

Read the full call and express your interest by 15 May

You can confirm your interest by contacting Brisa Wiklund (brisa.wiklund@eurochild.org). Please also share a short description (max. 2 paragraphs) of your recent advocacy work targeting national and/or local authorities.

Eurochild strengthened its impact across Europe, engaging with members, allies and policymakers over 6,700 times and advocating for children’s rights in 406 meetings and events.

Our website published 150+ articles, was viewed 34,600+ times, and our social media messages reached 23,000+ people. Through our Flagship Report, we shared evidence‑based recommendations with EU institutions, drawing on contributions from 84 members in 36 countries.

Through the Daphne‑CHILD programme, we began re‑granting €1.3 million to 48 local organisations in 9 countries, expanding child protection services to 23,000 children, 3,200 families and 1,800 professionals. Through the GUIDE project, we supported guardians of unaccompanied children in 5 countries with practical manuals, listening circles, training and national advocacy.

In a year marked by rising far‑right narratives and attacks on civil society, Eurochild launched a campaign to counter anti‑rights movements. We continued to push for safer digital spaces for children and stronger action against online child sexual abuse.

We responded to emergencies in Ukraine and Palestine, and engaged policymakers 80+ times to advance the European Child Guarantee. We also successfully advocated for EU funding mechanisms, including the ESF+, to prioritise children’s well-being and fight child poverty.

We launched a new children’s council, NOVA, focused on children’s rights online. Across our work, we promoted meaningful child participation through collaboration with children, the UN, and EU institutions, producing child‑friendly materials and delivering training and events.

Want to dive deeper?

>> Read the Annual Report 2025, organised by topic, for a full picture of children’s rights and family support across Europe.

For further information, email Davide Rambaldi, Eurochild Communications Coordinator. 

Watch the video summary on YouTube or below: