The 24th meeting of the Child Guarantee Coordinators, held on 10 February 2026, discussed options to strengthen the implementation of the European Child Guarantee ahead of the Commission’s planned initiative in 2026.
It was noted that, while substantial progress has been made in improving access to key services for children in need, no Member State is yet fully compliant across all areas and progress towards the 2030 child poverty reduction targets needs to be strengthened. Coordinators emphasised the importance of reinforcing governance, improving data collection and ensuring better coordination across national, regional and local levels to address persistent gaps in services provision.
The meeting also presented the results of an EU-wide online consultation with children, highlighting priorities such as:
- safer school environments
- access to free educational resources
- improved mental health support
- better availability of healthy meals
- adequate housing
Member States shared views on future priorities, calling for stronger peer learning, clearer guidance on the use of EU funds and enhanced alignment with broader anti-poverty strategies.
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Author
- Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion