On the 4th of June, COFACE-Families Europe held a financial inclusion meeting to discuss key priorities in financial inclusion at the European level, learn about political developments and the “Reset Finance” campaign from Finance Watch, and share good practices through the work of COFACE’s Spanish member Isadora Duncan. The event gathered members and attendees from across Europe to address the pressing issues faced by families in Europe related to economics and finance. 

COFACE Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Martin Schmalzried updated the members on pressing challenges at EU level, starting with ensuring access to basic banking services across Europe. Despite progress, many families still face barriers such as high fees, limited awareness among both staff and consumers, and stringent access criteria. He proposed several solutions, including fee caps, mandatory offers of basic accounts by banks, and creating limited functionality accounts when full documentation is not available. The future plans discussed included a focus on personal insolvency, the digital euro, the right to cash, the enforcement of the MiCA framework, and advocating for strong consumer representation in open finance. 

The “Reset Finance” Campaign 

Paul Fox outlined the “Reset Finance” campaign from Finance Watch which is aimed at redefining financial regulations to safeguard against failing institutions and future crises, particularly in the context of the upcoming EU elections. The campaign’s objectives are to increase visibility, create networking opportunities, and set agendas. Key priorities include ending extractive financial practices, ensuring full and equal participation in financial services, and advocating for a harmonised EU personal insolvency scheme to tackle household over-indebtedness. 

Isadora Duncan’s Contributions to Financial Inclusion 

Sonsoles Reviriego shared insights from the Isadora Duncan Foundation, which focuses on supporting single-parent families and women in vulnerable situations. The foundation’s programs offer social guidance, legal advice, and financial education, aiming to empower economically disadvantaged groups. Notably, their initiatives include addressing gender violence, providing economic support, and facilitating access to financial services through educational programs and personalized support. 

Next Steps 

The meeting concluded with a commitment to follow ongoing developments at the EU level in the field of financial inclusion, as well as continue closely cooperating with allied organizations like Finance Watch and Financial Inclusion Europe. Attendees were encouraged to engage with the proposed campaigns and contribute to the advocacy efforts aimed at shaping EU policies for better financial inclusion of all families. 

For more information contact COFACE Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Martin Schmalzried: mschmalzried@coface-eu.org

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COFACE Families Europe together with its members is very active in addressing the social challenges faced by families of today and advocating for policies to support their well-being.

In 2019, COFACE Families Europe mobilised voters locally through its member organisations (representing families of all types, without discrimination). A call was launched to the COFACE network to vote and speak out in May 2019 using 10 key values as a compass: non-discrimination, equal opportunities, empowerment, internet for all, social inclusion, sustainability, respect of human rights, solidarity, child well-being, accessibility. Following the election of the new European Parliament and the publication of the European Commission’s political guidelines, COFACE Families Europe published its New Deal for Families of Today which is a list of key short-term demands (also available in Easy-to-Read language) to be achieved by the new European Commission from 2020-2024, which are to be seen as concrete steps to meet the long-term goals of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

These demands reflect the needs and challenges of families of today and call for a mix of European actions (policy, law, funding, benchmarking, innovation) to drive real change. These recommendations are addressed at EU-level policymakers in the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU, from whom we expect joint leadership to ensure tangible results for Europe’s citizens.  It is on this basis that we have assessed  the European Union’s work from 2019 to 2024, and how it contributes to achieving eight positive outcomes for families of today (see more here). While this assessment refers to various initiatives to support families, it cannot fully assess the real impact on families at local level yet. It is crucial for the EU institutions to conduct monitoring and evaluation of their policies to understand the impacts (positive and negative) on families, in order to review and consolidate existing frameworks under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and adopt any new measures needed to strengthen the Pillars.

Read the full assessment here.

See the 10 key actions we want integrated into the EU’s 2024-2029 programme here.

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COFACE Families Europe together with its members is very active in addressing the social challenges faced by families of today and advocating for policies to support their well-being.

Civil society and rights-holders must be supported through sustained funding and life-long learning opportunities to engage meaningfully in the national and European policy-making processes in order to co-create systems and policies needed to support families of today.  They are best placed to provide inputs and feedback on the policies which concern them.

COFACE has the ambition to shape together a strong social Europe fit for families and foster a European society that is more inclusive, offers equal opportunities and brings everyone forward.

In preparation of the next European elections on 6-9^th June 2024, here are ten specific actions we would like to see integrated in the programme of the European Union.

These need to be developed within an economic framework which works better for society and planet towards an economy which cares.

It is time to act now for families of today.

Read our full Call-to-Action here.

Easy-to-Read version also available here.

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On 15th May from 17.30-19.30 in the Schuman area of Brussels, COFACE Families Europe invited friends to assess the results of the last 5-year mandate of the von der Leyen Commission and highlight some key messages ahead of the European elections.

This was also be the occasion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of Families.

COFACE Families launched its “State Of The European Union for families” assessment of the last 5-year mandate of the von der Leyen Commission and how it contributed to achieving eight specific outcomes for families. We also presented our #ActNow for Families of Today call to action, which comprises 10 specific actions that COFACE believe should be integrated into the EU’s 2024-2029 programme. Also available in Easy-to-read version here.

Last but not least, a COFACE song has been developed with the aim to push our message in a creative and engaging way.

_____________________

Background

In 2019, COFACE Families Europe mobilised voters locally through its member organisations (representing families of all types, without discrimination). A call was launched to the COFACE network to vote and speak out in May 2019 using 10 key values as a compass: non-discrimination, equal opportunities, empowerment, internet for all, social inclusion, sustainability, respect of human rights, solidarity, child well-being, accessibility.

Following the 2019 election of the new European Parliament and the publication of the European Commission’s political guidelines, COFACE Families Europe published its New Deal for Families of Today which is a list of key short-term demands (also available in Easy-to-Read language) to be achieved by the new European Commission from 2020-2024. They are to be seen as concrete steps to meet the long-term goals of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

These demands reflect the needs and challenges of families of today and call for a mix of European actions (policy, law, funding, benchmarking, innovation) to drive real change. These recommendations are addressed at EU-level policymakers in the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU, from whom we expect joint leadership to ensure tangible results for Europe’s citizens.

It is on this basis that we have assessed the work of the European Union’s work from 2019 to 2024, and how it contributes to achieving positive outcomes for families of today.

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In an era dominated by technological advancements, it is primordial that children and young people are equipped with skills and competences (e.g., digital and media literacy, communication and collabo­ration, innovation and creativity, learning skills and socio-emotional compe­tences and more specific labour-market skills) that will enable them to navigate and live with the ubiquitous technology permeating the fabric of their everyday lives. Recognizing this need, COFACE embarked on a significant research endeavor as part of the Horizon 2020 DigiGen project. Spanning over three years, this project delved into the intricate relationship between technology and the younger generation across Europe. 

The primary objective of the DigiGen project was to gather comprehensive insights into how children and young people navigate and are influenced by technological transformations in their daily lives. By focusing on various facets such as family dynamics, leisure activities, educational settings, and civic engagement, researchers sought to uncover nuanced perspectives and trends. The ability of young people to engage with and use digital technology will be critical for their future in all areas of their everyday lives. It is essential to recog­nise that children and young people must not only be adept at using digital technology, but they must also understand the changes brought on by digital technology and be able to build on them. These changes have generated both benefits and challenges for future generations. This means that educational and training institutions will need to address the necessity for these competences and skills to promote inclusivity in digital technology participation and avoid the risk of widening the educational and digital divide between children from advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Yet families also have a role to play in contributing to children and young people’s digital competences and skills. In addressing the risk of a widening digital divide and inequality, it has been necessary for DigiGen to consider why and how some children and young people benefit from digital technology use while others seem to be impacted negatively. Several of the chapters in this volume focus on these aspects. 

After years of meticulous research and analysis, the culmination of the DigiGen project has resulted in the release of the first DigiGen book. This publication represents a wealth of knowledge distilled from the insights gathered throughout the project’s duration. Much of the scholarship to date on the impact of technological transforma­tions on children and young people has been survey-based, with an overabun­dance of studies focusing on opportunities, risk and safety. While this focus is undoubtedly important, the specific topic DigiGen responded to is the need for a focus on the everyday lives of children and young people from their perspec­tive and not solely from the perspective of adults around them. 

The book features a chapter authored by COFACE’s Senior Project and Advocacy Officer, Holly Shorey, formerly involved in the Digigen Project. Titled ‘EU Policy Reflections: Digital and Social Policies for Children‘, it delves into the intersectionality of digital and social policies in supporting children as digital citizens. 

The release of the DigiGen book marks a significant milestone in the journey towards harnessing the potential of technology while safeguarding the well-being of future generations.  

You can access the book here. 

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COFACE member, The Single Parents’ Centre (Egyszülős Központ) and the Find Yourself Association organised a joint conference on the theme of single parent families and children with special needs. The event’s main themes were the situation of these families, issues of education and work, and the related personal stories. 

The number of single parent families has increased during the past decade. According to census data, in Hungary 490,000 children live in 341,000 single parent families. In addition, there are 16,000 youths aged 25 and over in single parent families who are in need of care despite their age. Among them, 11,000 are in neither education nor work, and so are in absolute need of parental support. At least 24,000 people, regardless of age, live with a disability and with only one parent. 

Single parent families have a higher proportion of children with special needs – in a difficult situation many relationships break up and a single parent must deal with tasks which were difficult even for two. The employment of people with a disabled child is much lower among single parent families than two-parent families (36% compared with 61%). 

The Single Parents’ Centre and the Find Yourself Association conducted a survey entitled ‘For an Easier Way of Life of single parent families with children with special needs. The questionnaire elicited 252 responses. In almost all the families surveyed (98%) it is the mother who is raising the child alone. A quarter of parents mostly rely on grandparents to help care for their child(ren), while 20% rely on siblings. According to the survey, only one in ten absent parents provide regular support to their former partners raising a disabled child alone. It is the parents of severely disabled children who feel most strongly that their partner has left them because of the child. They have the highest proportion of children who are not in contact with their absent parent and the highest ratio of children where the single parent is not working. 

The Single Parents’ Centre 

Today in Hungary there are 341,000 families where one of the parents is absent. The Single Parents’ Centre in Pest opened in May 2018 with the aim of offering practical support and a community for families where one parent is absent. Over the past five years the centre has reached more than 28,000 single parent families with more than 70 types of services. In March 2022, the second Single Parents’ Centre opened in Buda, which is easily accessible for single parent families living in and nearby Buda. 

The Find Yourself Association 

The Find Yourself Association supports parents of children with special needs and the children themselves to improve their equal opportunities and living condition. The Association gives them the opportunity to relax and recharge, to develop themselves and to enter the labour market. The aim is to find a balance between their family life and their own personal life. 

Read more here. 

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In January 2024, the first ministerial meeting under the Belgian Presidency of the European Union brought together the Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs in the Walloon capital of Namur. During the first day, Ministers discussed how social policies should be reflected in the strategic agenda of the EU institutions after the European elections. 

The so-called “EPSCO Informal” opened with a minute of silence for the late Jacques Delors. The first plenary session was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dermagne and introduced by European Commissioner Schmit, Deputy Prime Minister Vandenbroucke and OECD Director Scarpetta. Aside from the Ministers and their representatives from the EU Member States, the EFTA countries, Ukraine and Moldova, the social partners and civil society participated in the discussion on the main achievements of the previous years and what remains to be done. The debate underlined the importance of the European Pillar of Social Rights that was proclaimed in 2017 and the corresponding headline targets set in 2021. 

Thanks to the Pillar and the corresponding Commission Action Plan, the current legislative period has seen a lot of EU activity in the social field, with the minimum wage directive, the pay transparency directive and the SURE initiative to support job retention schemes during the Covid pandemic as the most remarkable ones.  

This Commission has taken many important steps in pushing the social agenda forward. From ensuring minimum wages provide a decent living, to giving children from a poor background a good start in life, to getting companies and workers to invest in lifelong learning for the jobs of tomorrow.  

Commissioner Schmit 

Delegations pointed to these successes and agreed that the Pillar should remain the compass in the years to come. However, new challenges, related to climate change, digitalisation, demographic evolution, the housing crisis and the deteriorating geopolitical environment require a vigorous answer and targeted action. Although these evolutions provide several opportunities, they also come with a risk of social exclusion, job polarisation and deteriorating wages and working conditions. 

The Ministers, social partners and other delegates discussed what policies are needed to make labour markets and the social system, but also the economy overall, in the EU future-proof as well as more robust and resilient to unforeseen shocks, and how social dialogue can play a stronger role in this respect – thereby looking forward to the Val Duchesse Summit between the Commission and the social partners that will take place on 31 January. They underlined the importance of policies to reinforce equality, including gender equality, and for policies that leave no one behind. They agreed that concrete actions at the level of the EU and its Member States will be needed and supported the Belgian Presidency’s initiative to come forward with an interinstitutional declaration at the La Hulpe conference on the Social Pillar on 15 and 16 April. 

Rear more here

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World Children’s Day on 20^th November offers us an inspirational entry point to promote child well-being and build a world fit for children. It is a day of action by children. They are speaking out and imagining a better future. It is important to listen to their ideas and demands. It is also a day for children to ensure their rights and provide a nurturing and safe environment.

Babies and toddlers have the right to receive high-quality care and education that promotes their overall well-being. The importance of healthy attachments with parents as first caregivers and educators during the first 1000 days is well documented  Recognising and respecting a child’s rights to emotional connection and responsive caregiving involves supporting parents in their crucial role.

To implement the right to high-quality early childhood education and care, governments, communities, and educational institutions must work together to create and maintain policies, programmes, and environments that prioritise the well-being and development of young children and their parents.

This support should include a continuum of care starting with access for all to well-paid parental leave and parenting support, as well as access to quality ECEC. Access to quality early childhood education ensures that all children, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to develop their potential. This helps in breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting social equity.

A critical factor and key driver for high-quality childcare is a low child-staff ratio. This can yield multiple benefits for children and for their parents. Low child-staff ratios in childcare is a key determinant of children’s meaningful experience in daycare. It allows educators more time for “educare” and to be more responsive to individual children and at the same time establish a strong and supportive partnership with parents. Engaging with parents in open communication is a key driver of successful partnership in the education of the child. This collaboration strengthens the family unit and supports the child’s learning journey.

As President of COFACE, and chair of the Steering Group of the European Observatory on Family Policy, I participated in the launch webinar of the first report of this Observatory. The report aims to contribute policy research to support investments in greater integration of family policies at each level, overcoming fragmentation in supporting families with young children.

Nowadays, the significance of family policies is growing notably across the European Union. Following the launch of the European Pillar of Social Rights in 2017, we have witnessed an increase of initiatives concentrated on improving national parental leave laws, remedying child poverty, setting higher goals for participation in ECEC services, as well as establishing national frameworks for long-term care and disability rights.

It is essential in this situation that family policy frameworks are not just established but are constructed with close ties to their complementary domains, such as parental leave and formal early childhood education and care, prenatal maternal care, perinatal guidance support, parenting network groups, day-care for infants and preschool education for three-year-olds. Ultimately, this report advocates for the exchange of information across Europe regarding what is being done in other countries to realize significant advancements in the integration of these family policies, with family and child well-being as a priority.

This Europe will be a good place for children to be born and grow up in. Let’s make this vision in Europe happen together.

About the author:

Annemie Drieskens serves as the President of COFACE Families Europe and chairs the Steering Group of the European Observatory on Family Policy. With a Master’s degree in Law, Annemie has been actively engaged in social policy, particularly family policy, for the past 30 years. She has contributed significantly as a board member of Gezinsbond, the largest family organization in Belgium.

**DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this article reflect the views of the author, not of COFACE Families Europe**

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How do we make Artificial Intelligence (AI) at work fair for everyone? How do we ensure AI-driven work is equal and transparent? 

Mark your calendar for the second European Employment & Social Rights Forum, taking place on 16 and 17 November 2023 online and in Brussels (the Egg). 

Join EU institution representatives, national policymakers, Ministers, business leaders, social partners, civil society, and academia as they delve into the dynamic realm of artificial intelligence and its impact on the world of work. 

Rapid technological transformation and new digital technologies bring forth a myriad of opportunities. They can create new jobs for people, widen access to education, boost productivity, and improve our efficiency. Yet, these advancements also underscore growing inequality and a lack of transparency across the world. How do we ensure fairness, inclusivity and transparency as we navigate the new world of work? 

The 2023 Forum will revolve around four themes: 

• The use of AI and algorithmic management in the workplace 
• AI and inclusivity in European labour markets and society    
• Digital skills and empowering workers in the context of the European Year of Skills 
• Emerging technology and work: a global outlook 

More info here. 

The post European Employment & Social Rights Forum 2023: How is Artificial Intelligence shaping work? appeared first on COFACE Families Europe.

The Commission presented the annual European Semester Spring Package on 24 May 2023. The Package includes a Communication, country reports and country-specific recommendations for all 27 Member States, in-depth reviews for 17 Member States, and a Commission proposal on guidelines for Member States’ employment policies in 2023. 

The 2023 country reports take stock of the implementation of the recovery and resilience plans, analyse the economic and social developments and challenges facing Member States, and provide a forward-looking analysis of their resilience. The Commission also proposes country-specific recommendations to provide guidance to Member States on how to tackle key economic and social challenges that are only partially or not addressed at all in their recovery and resilience plans. This includes tailored advice to individual Member States on how to boost jobs, growth and investment while maintaining sound public finances. 

The European Semester is linked to the Recovery and Resilience Facility which brings in the concept of resilience at the institutional level (e.g. resilience of long-term care sectors). General themes relate to the need for Member States to transform: 

• Care sectors to fit the realities of European demography and family needs; 
• Social benefit systems to adequately support families and not leave them with negative outcomes. 

For instance, the Belgian country report includes the need to strengthen efforts to improve the efficiency of long-term care.  In Croatia, the Commission highlights that social protection reform progressed with the adoption of the Social Welfare Act (which aims to increase the adequacy of the main social benefits), and the 2021-27 National Plan for the Development of Social Services identifies needs and sets out priorities for developing home-based, community and other social services. For Poland, new universal support measures were introduced to offset rising energy and living costs for families. The Commission also refers to child benefits (under the ‘Family 500+’ programme) and criticises that they remain largely untargeted and without means-testing at the household level, calling for these benefits to be more proportionate to household income and not a flat rate for all families regardless of their income. The Swedish country report refers to the need to remove existing constraints to improve the accessibility, capacity, and resilience of the health and long-term care system. It also refers to the need to improve educational outcomes for pupils with disadvantaged socio-economic and migrant backgrounds by ensuring equal access opportunities in the schooling system and addressing the shortages of qualified teachers.  

In the framework of the Horizon Europe rEUsilience research project (www.reusilience.eu ), COFACE Families Europe will continue to monitor EU frameworks such as the European Semester and the European Pillar of Social Rights from a resilience perspective, to ensure that data emerging from this research can help better understand the contribution of policy (European and national) to family resilience. 

For further information, contact Holly Shorey, COFACE Project and Advocacy Officer: hshorey@coface-eu.org  

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