14 June 2024 marked the 3rd anniversary of the European Child Guarantee. On this occasion Child Guarantee Coordinators from 23 Member States met to discuss actions that they are carrying out in their countries.

14 June 2024 marked the 3rd anniversary of the European Child Guarantee highlighting the need for an urgent implementation of actions at national and EU level to improve the lives of children at risk of poverty and social exclusion across Europe.

As highlighted in the speech of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, one in four children in the EU lives in a low-income household, has parents who work much below their working time potential, or is exposed to severe material and social deprivation. Addressing this challenge early in children’s life improves their educational and employment prospects.

On this occasion on 13-14 June 2024 Child Guarantee Coordinators from 23 Member States met to discuss actions in the areas of early childhood education and care, education, health, nutrition and adequate housing and others that they are carrying out in their countries.

They presented their progress reports and shared good practices, including, among others Germany’s new initiative: the "Startchancen-Programm” for a better educational start in life aiming to decouple academic achievement from social background, and ensuring greater equality of opportunity for children from all backgrounds.

The key-note speech delivered by Prof. Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, highlighted the need to sustain and increase investing in children particularly in the light of fiscal consolidations, the non-take up of rights and the link between poverty and mental health.