The implementation of the European Commission Recommendation Investing in Children Mafalda Leal

1. The implementation of the European Commission Recommendation Investing in Children Mafalda Leal Senior Policy Coordinator 7th Regional Meeting of NGOs Children’sRights Coalitions in Europe Sofia,28-30 April 2014

2. European Institutions *Share information & expertise from members * Influence decision-making through representation, policy positions & consultations * Encourage children’s participation * Facilitate exchange of knowledge & good practice * Disseminate information on latest EU developments * Support national advocay efforts * Promote joint work & partnerships * Forge NGO alliances to promote children’s rights * Work with other international organisations * Membership of wider NGO pltaforms Other partners Eurochild members * Raise awareness on children’s rights in Europe *Spread information through publications, online channels & social media Wider public & the media

3. the Recommendation Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage • What is it about? • Placing child poverty & well-being in the broader context of the Europe 2020 strategy, the ten-year strategy of the EU to get out of the economic crisis through smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. • Giving member states suggestions on how to tackle child poverty and promote children’s well-being. • Calling for a child rights approach & integrated strategies in 3 pillars: • Access to adequate resources • Access to affordable quality services • Children’s right to participate

4. the Recommendation Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage • Access to adequate resources • Support parents’ participation in the labour market • Provide for adequate living standards through a combination of benefits

5. the Recommendation Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage • 2. Access to affordable quality services • Reduce inequality at a young age by investing in early childhood education and care • Improve education systems’ impact on equal opportunities • Improve the responsiveness of health systems to address the needs of disadvantaged children • Provide children with a safe, adequate housing and living environment • Enhanced family support and the quality of alternative care settings

6. the Recommendation Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage • 3. Children’s right to participate • Support the participation of all children in play, recreation, sport and cultural activities • Put in place mechanisms that promote children’s participation in decision making that affect their lives

7. the Recommendation Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage • What can it bring? • a comprehensive approach to tackle child poverty • Political will • Greater visibility to children in the whole Europe 2020 process • More indicators • Mutual learning • Detailed reporting • Better use of European Structural Funds

8. Advocating for the implementation of the recommendation • I. A rights-based approach • II. The EU Alliance for Investing in Children • III. Using EU funding for social inclusion • Related action: • UNCRC Committee General Comment on public spending on children’s rights – in the pipeline • 2015 Human Rights Council full-day meeting on child rights: “Towards better investment in the rights of the child” • Eurochild Annual Conference: Better Public Spending for Better Outcomes for Children & Families

9. Advocating for the implementation of the recommendation I - A rights-based approach • Taking the child as a specific unit of analysis Child poverty is not synonymous with family poverty. A child’s experience is much broader and a child’s own view has its own value • Placing the responsibility on ‘duty bearers’ Moves away from the notion of need to focus on the capacities of the rights-holder. More empowering. • Demands a holistic perspective Requires that measures are taken in a holistic and coordinated way.

10. Advocating for the implementation of the recommendation Organisation of children’s rights relevant to child deprivation

11. Advocating for the implementation of the recommendation • II. EU Alliance21 organisations joining forces to fight child poverty and promote child well-being in Europe and promote the effective implementation of the Recommendation. • Objectives: • To secure and retain political will to end child poverty and promote child well-being in Europe • To trigger and support reform in policy and practice based on a knowledge exchange to identify what works best for children and their families • To strengthen meaningful engagement of relevant stakeholders in decision-making on public policy and resource allocation for children and build their advocacy.

12. Advocating for the implementation of the recommendation http://www.alliance4investinginchildren.eu/

13. Advocating for the implementation of the recommendation • III – Using EU funding for social inclusion • Opportunities: • Minimum benchmarks (25% to European Social Fund; from European Social Fund min. 20% to social inclusion and poverty reduction) • Early childhood education and care • Transition from institutional to family & community-based care • Children’s rights and child well-being • Children’s participation • Family and parenting support • Capacity building • Health and social infrastructure

14. Advocating for the implementation of the recommendation • Why advocate for tackling child poverty through Structural Funds • concrete and measureable: more investment in children • Structural Funds are cost-effectiveas they promote long-term investments through supporting comprehensive and structural reforms • The demonstrated political commitment that child well-being is fundamental to future economic and social stability needs to be realised • The strengthened partnership principle and local development will give NGOs a more prominent role both for shaping the programmes and participating in the delivery of local/community-based projects

15. Thank you for your attention! Website: www.eurochild.org E-mail: Mafalda.Leal@eurochild.org