EU strategy on the rights of the child and the European child guarantee

SUMMARY OF:

Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 establishing a European Child Guarantee

Communication — EU strategy on the rights of the child

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE COMMUNICATION AND THE RECOMMENDATION?

The European Union (EU) strategy on the rights of the child proposes new actions to better protect, promote and fulfil children’s rights.
The European child guarantee aims to prevent and combat social exclusion of children in need by guaranteeing access to a set of key services, by combating child poverty and fostering equal opportunities.

KEY POINTS

EU strategy on the rights of the child

The strategy brings together all new and existing EU legislative, policy and funding instruments on the rights of the child within 1 comprehensive framework.
This strategy builds on previous European Commission communications and existing EU legislation and policy,such as the EU agenda for the rights of the child.
It contributes to achieving the aims of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
The strategy is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and contributes to achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.
It proposes a series of targeted actions across 6 thematic priority areas:
- participation in political and democratic life;
- socio-economic inclusion, health and education;
- combating violence against children and ensuring child protection;
- child-friendly justice;
- digital and information society;
- global dimension — supporting, protecting and empowering children globally, including during crisis and conflict.
To support these actions, children’s rights are mainstreamed across all relevant EU policies.
Funding for these actions is provided through a number of sources including the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (see summary) and the European Regional Development Fund (see summary).

European child guarantee

The European child guarantee complements the strategy on the rights of the child, and in particular the socio-economic, health and education theme.
It puts into practice principle 11 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, on childcare and support for children.
It applies to children under 18 at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
It sets out a number of core recommendations for EU Member States including:
- providing effective and free access to high quality early childhood education and care, education and school-based activities, at least 1 healthy meal on each school day and healthcare;
- providing effective access to healthy nutrition and adequate housing;
- breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and disadvantage, while making the best interest of the child a primary consideration;
- building a policy framework to identify and address financial and non-financial barriers to participation in early childhood education and care, education and school-based activities, especially for those groups of children experiencing specific disadvantages;
- nominating a Child Guarantee Coordinator to monitor and coordinate implementation;
- submitting national action plans for the period up to 2030 within 9 months of adopting the recommendation.
Member States can draw on EU funding to support their actions, in particular from the ESF+ and NextGenerationEU.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

The EU strategy on the rights of the child and the European child guarantee (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee (OJ L 223, 22.6.2021, pp. 14-23)

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — EU strategy on the rights of the child (COM(2021) 142 final, 24.3.2021)