The implementation of the European Commission Recommendation Investing

in Children

Mafalda LealSenior Policy Coordinator

7th Regional Meeting of NGOsChildren’s Rights Coalitions in EuropeSofia, 28-30 April 2014

*Share information & expertise from members

* Influence decision-making through

representation, policy positions & consultations

* Encourage children’s participation

* Raise awareness on children’s rights in

Europe * Spread information through publications,

online channels & social media

* 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

Eurochild members

European Institutions

Wider public & the media

Other partners

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:

1. Access to adequate resources2. Access to affordable quality services3. Children’s right to participate

THE RECOMMENDATION INVESTING IN CHILDREN: BREAKING THE CYCLE OF DISADVANTAGE

1. Access to adequate resources

Support parents’ participation in the labour market

Provide for adequate living standards through a combination of benefits

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

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

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

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

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.

ADVOCATING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION

Organisation of children’s rights relevant to child deprivation

ADVOCATING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION

II. EU Alliance 21 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.

ADVOCATING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION

http://www.alliance4investinginchildren.eu/

EU level National level

Carry out common advocacy at key occasions – e.g. EPSCO Council, EP Candidates

Carry out advocacy at national and sub-national level; ensure dissemination of Recommendation to promote reform

Draft a Recommendation ‘Implementation Handbook’

Use opportunities from the EU (Europe 2020; European Semester, Structural funds) to promote investment in children

Provide support to National Alliances, e.g. on effective advocacy

Organise a high level event with national politicians and policy-makers

Carry out consultations, participatory activities with children & young people

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

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-effective as 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

Thank you for your attention!

Website: www.eurochild.org

E-mail: Mafalda.Leal@eurochild.org