European Semester Country Report and Recommendations
Sub-report on European Semester Country Report and Recommendations based on assessments provided by Eurochild members in 19 countries.
On 20 November - World Children’s Day - Eurochild released its latest report on children in need titled Children's rights: political will or won't? Eurochild 2023 report on children in need across Europe.
The annual European Semester cycle is a crucial opportunity to reach policymakers at EU and national levels to ensure investing in children is prioritised within the broader macroeconomic and social policy agenda. This sub-report gauges the extent to which the European Semester 2023 country reports and country-specific recommendations are aligned with children’s needs and experiences.
Following the findings of 19 EU Member States included in the report, in general, the 2023 European Semester Spring Package Country Reports and Country Specific Recommendations do not adequately address the needs of children in each country. The majority of the reports refer to child poverty and social exclusion, and education, especially in the early years. However, specific groups of vulnerable children, such as children in migration, children with disabilities, children in alternative care, homeless children and LGBTQI+ children, are seldom referenced. The reports do not reference children’s rights to be heard and participate in the decisions affecting them.
