Results of European Child Guarantee survey among children published

Children from across the EU took part in an online survey to express their views on the European Child Guarantee between 17 October and 8 December 2025. The survey received over 41 thousand replies from all Member States and was run via the EU Children's Participation Platform as part of the Commission's commitment to tackling poverty and supporting social inclusion across Europe.

While many children recognise that services exist, access is not always experienced equally, and equal rights do not always translate into equal chances in everyday life.

How children describe poverty and social inclusion

• Poverty limits children's participation in everyday activities and creates shame and exclusion, even where services exist
• Children describe discrimination linked to disability, ethnicity, migration, gender, and other differences
• Children said that passive or inconsistent adult responses undermine their safety and sense of belonging
• Trusted adults, mental health support, and environments where children are listened to were described as being central to feeling included 

What children want and need

• When receiving support, to be treated with respect, feel safe, have their privacy protected, and not be singled out
• Affordable, reduced or subsidised costs so that participation in school activities, and access to healthcare, housing and food do not only depend on family income
• Support that is practical, timely and consistent, especially for children in poverty, with disabilities, from minority backgrounds, migrant children, and young people leaving care
• To be listened to in decisions that affect their lives in schools, communities, and services – in meaningful and inclusive ways that lead to visible change

Children also expressed their views on particular areas covered by the Child Guarantee such as education, healthcare, school meals and healthy nutrition and housing.

Next steps

The full report from the survey will be available in the next weeks. There will also be a child-friendly version of the results.

The input provided by children will be used to inform the European Child Guarantee and the Anti-poverty Strategy. The findings can be also used by Child Guarantee Coordinators to improve their national action plans for ECG implementation.

More information can be found on the EU Children's Participation Platform.