In a plenary debate on strengthening the European child guarantee and child protection systems at the local and regional level SEDEC ECR Coordinator and recently appointed CoR Rapporteur on the Demographic Toolbox Ádám Karácsony stressed that child poverty is "not an isolated issue" but "deeply connected with the wellbeing of entire families".

While there has been a positive trend in reducing child poverty since 2015, the COVID-19 pandemic pointed out vulnerabilities that continue to persist, with one in every five children in the EU still lacking sufficient opportunities for health, education, and reaching their full potential.

"Social policies often overlook the holistic perspective, failing to address the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable households. The crisis caused by COVID-19, including widespread job losses and income instability, has disproportionately impacted these families, amplifying the urgency of strengthening their resilience to ensure the wellbeing of European children" – Karácsony noted. 

Family-friendly policies are increasingly popular in Member States, with measures including preferential loans, mortgage repayment relief and family housing benefit schemes for parents, or childcare payments for grandparents being introduced. However EU funds have done little in the past to support these measures. 

Vice-President of the County Council of Pest Megye reminded: "for Europe's future, family is a gift that keeps on giving. To this end, the EU must provide tangible support for family-friendly policies. By doing so, we can not only combat child poverty together, but finally address the broader demographic challenges looming over our regions."