On 30 September, Renew Europe hosted Make One Exception: Fund the Child Guarantee at the European Parliament in Brussels. The debate focused on the role of the European Child Guarantee in the next EU budget and the importance of maintaining support for children experiencing poverty and disadvantage.
The European Child Guarantee aims to improve access to essential services for children at risk of poverty, including education, healthcare, healthy nutrition and adequate housing. As the discussions take shape, the event highlighted the importance of making children’s needs a priority in decisions about public spending.
Dominic Richardson contributed to the panel The Economic Case: Why Investing in Children Pays Off?, exploring why public investment choices matter for children’s lives and well-being. He highlighted that investment in children should not be judged solely by its economic returns. It is also important to consider whether policies reach children who are often left out and make a meaningful difference to child poverty across the population.
This broader perspective matters when deciding how resources are allocated and what they should achieve. Investment in children is not only about future economic benefits; it is also about upholding their rights and ensuring they can access the support and opportunities they need.
As discussions on the next EU budget continue, it is important to ensure that children’s needs remain apriority and that the European Child Guarantee can make a real difference in their lives.
