European Commission Recommendation on child poverty and wellbeing adopted

Date: 20th February 2013
Category: General measures of implementation

The long-awaited European Commission Recommendation on child poverty and wellbeing, entitled "Investing in Children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage", was adopted as a part of the Social Investment Package for Growth and Cohesion on 20th February 2013.

The Social Investment Package for Growth and Cohesion is expected to be an unequalled policy pack aimed at encouraging policies that develop the human capital, empower and support people at all stages of their lives, and strengthen preventative services - in which addressing child poverty & well-being plays a pivotal role.

At a time when fiscal austerity is increasingly demanded by member states, any measures addressing the rising poverty levels and pervasive inequalities are hugely important.

Eurochild has welcomed the European Commission Recommendation, recognising that it has the potential to become an important tool to ensure that children across Europe grow up happy, healthy and confident, and develop their own unique potential.

The Recommendation will call on EU countries to develop integrated strategies on child poverty built on 3 key pillars:

1. Adequate resources and income support;
2. Access to affordable quality services;
3. Child and youth participation.

• Read Eurochild's press release on the Recommendation here.