UNICEF and European Commission launch new toolkit to strengthen prevention for children’s health and well-being

BRUSSELS, 9 October 2026 – UNICEF and the European Commission launched a new Prevention Toolkit for Children’s Health and Well-being, designed to help policymakers strengthen policies and action to protect and promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Developed through a three-year partnership between UNICEF and the European Commission, the toolkit brings together evidence, guidance and examples of promising practice in one accessible platform. It is designed for policymakers at European, national and sub-national levels, supporting them through the policy cycle, from identifying challenges and setting objectives to selecting solutions, implementation and monitoring.

The toolkit covers four areas that shape children’s health throughout their lives: mental health, immunisation, early childhood development and healthy lifestyles. It also provides opportunities for countries to share policies and practices, learn from one another and strengthen collaboration with researchers, practitioners, young people and other stakeholders.

“Giving every child and young person the best chance to be healthy and thrive means putting the best available evidence into practice. This toolkit will help policymakers translate what we know works into policies and services that make a difference,” said Anna Riatti, Deputy Regional Director, UNICEF.

The toolkit launches first with its mental health section, ahead of World Mental Health Day, with the other three areas to follow. In Europe, one in six children and young people live with a mental health condition, highlighting the importance of investing not only in treatment, but in prevention and the environments in which children live, learn and grow.

Rather than a static resource, the toolkit is designed as a living platform. New evidence and good practices will be added over time, while interested countries will be supported to test and adapt its resources to their national priorities.

The toolkit is part of a wider EU-funded action implemented by UNICEF’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).