Child Poverty Work Programme

At the heart of Eurochild’s activities is the Child Poverty Work Programme. 19% of children aged between 0 and 15 are at risk of poverty in the former EU 15, and 20% of them in the 10 new member countries.

Not only does poverty affect the development of the child in terms of health, education, psycho-social well-being, participation in culture, sport, recreation activities, but it also undermines its future prospects and lifetime chances. A key element in the Child Poverty Work Programme is the assessment of the National Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion (NAPs/Incl.) from the perspective of children and young people.

Eurochild's position on child poverty in the EU

Report of the Social Protection Committee: "Child poverty and well-being in the EU", 2008

UNICEF - IRC report card No. 7: An overview of child well-being in rich countries, 2007

UNICEF - IRC report card No.6: Child poverty in Rich Countries, 2005

National Action Plans on Social Protection & Social Inclusion (NAPs/Inclusion)

A key element of Eurochild’s Child Poverty Programme is the monitoring of the National Action Plans on Social Protection and Social Inclusion (NAPs/Inclusion) from the perspective of the rights of the child as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Righs of the Child (UN CRC).

In 2008 Eurochild prepared a policy briefing on the NAPs as well as a model lobby letter for use by members at national level in order to get engaged in the NAPs design process.  A summary of the Guidance Note for Members States’ preparation of the NSRs is also available.

This year Eurochild members will analyse the NAPs (2008-2010) using a toolkit that helps to assess the plans from a child poverty and social exclusion perspective.

On the basis of members assessments, Eurochild will produce a synthesis report with overall conclusions and recommendations.

In 2006, Eurochild decided to adopt a thematic approach to its assessments of the NAPs/Inclusion, now part of the  the National Strategy Reports for Social Protection and Social Inclusion (NSRs).

This year we focused on The access to education of socially excluded Children and Young People.

On the basis of a questionnaire with explanatory notes, members of Eurochild and other organisations have contributed to make the analysis objective and concrete. Their work, for which we are very greatful, has contributed to the drafting of a final report and key messages with recommendations to EU governments and the European Commission.

In 2005, an assessment of the implementation of the NAPs/Inclusion and their impact on child poverty and social exclusion was made, referencing the guidance issued to Member States for implementation reporting. The aim was to contribute to the continuing development of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) from a children’s rights perspective and, specifically, to contribute to the realisation of the potential of the NAPs/Inclusion as an instrument of change in the fight against child poverty and social exclusion.

In 2004, Eurochild undertook a programme of national assessments of the visibility of children and young people in the NAPs/Inclusion planning process ("National Action Plans on Social Inclusion: Increasing the Visibility of Children and Young People”, October 2004).