24 partner networks have actively participated in the EU Alliance for Investing in Children, coordinated by Eurochild. We joined forces throughout 2014 to release common statements in advance of both EPSCO Council meetings, on the Annual Growth Survey and the mid-term review of Europe 2020, calling for the prioritization of children in EU policies.
The Investing in Children Alliance Partners mobilised members in 15 countries to develop detailed case studies that demonstrate how the European Commission Recommendation ‘Investing in Children: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage’ can be implemented in practice. This will be published in an ‘Implementation Handbook’ in early 2015.
In November, partner members’ from five countries (Belgium, Ireland, Estonia, Latvia, Greece) took part in a targeted workshop on using EU instruments – Europe 2020 and structural funds – to support implementation of the Recommendation. All participants expressed an interest in establishing Alliances on Investing in Children in their own countries.
Children from Spain and Slovakia spoke at the inauguration of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion Annual Convention 2014 alongside the President of the European Parliament and the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility. The children were selected through the Alliance because of their contribution as self-advocates at local and national level.
At the side event of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion Annual Convention representatives of the Presidency of the Council, the European Commission, and the Social Protection Committee made a clear commitment to continuing the priority on investing in children.
In Spain, eight political parties were represented in the high level debate on 15th December 2014 – all of whom invited follow-up meetings with Alliance partners to discuss their political manifestos and how they can link to the EC Recommendation. Ten partners joined the Spanish Alliance, including Platforma de la Infancia – the Spanish network of child rights organisations.
In the UK, high level representatives of the 4 nations (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland) presented their policies on child poverty and well-being on 16th December 2014. A detailed policy mapping is being carried out to assess implementation of the EC Recommendation across the UK and to identify good practice.
Download Alliance’s achievements here.