ECR Member Ádám Karácsony today hosted a group of members from the SEDEC Commission for a study visit in Budapest, on "Demography and LRAs navigating challenges and opportunities". ECR Vice-President Anna Magyar and members Robert Zeman and Elia Delmiglio also participated.

"Family is the cornerstone of our society. Local and regional administrations should promote family-friendly policies", said Mr Karácsony who also underlined how the demographic decline poses challenges to European governments and public administrations that need to re-think their approach to supporting families, enhancing work-life balance and making parenthood more accessible. 

SEDEC members exchanged views and engaged with several stakeholders from both local institutions and international organisations who outlined the current issues brought by a declining population in Europe. The need for a "holistic approach" that includes improving "working conditions, reforming pensions and care systems, implementing family-friendly policies" has been highlighted as fundamental in tackling population decline. 

As outlined in his opinion "Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action",  Mr Karácsony stressed the importance of local and regional authorities in tackling these challenges, as well as the fact that "financial resources must promote a balanced approach to demographic issues". Participants and speakers discussed how demographic challenges vary from region to region, and how "cohesion policy should play a key role in promoting the EU's overall harmonious development, which includes tackling demographic issues and their solutions".