The European Union must put children at the heart of its actions to tackle global and regional challenges
In the EU’s new political cycle 2024-2029, decision-makers must champion children’s rights and invest in children if it hopes to address crises, including cost of living, climate change and mental health, and achieve long term economic prosperity.

Brussels, Belgium – Monday, September 16th, 2024 - The European Union (EU) must invest in children and champion their rights if it hopes to effectively address global and domestic challenges, UNICEF said today as it launched new guidance for EU decision-makers.
“Whether it’s war, climate change or the risks exposed by rapid digitalization, children and young people are feeling a huge impact from the world’s crises and challenges,” said Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Representative to EU Institutions. “As the EU enters a new phase, protecting children’s rights and investing in children in Europe and through its global outreach is very much in the EU’s interest – to cement its unique social model, improve its competitiveness, and strengthen its security.”
Although progress on children’s rights has remained steady since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, there have been worrying signs of progress stalling in recent years. A multitude of competing crises are threatening the wellbeing and safety of children and young people in the EU and globally. This has major consequences for the development of nations and the world’s stability.
Numbers highlighted by UNICEF include the approximately 20 million children in the EU at risk of poverty, and the roughly 11.2 million children and young people in Europe suffering from a mental health condition. Globally, 1 billion children are living in countries at risk of climate and environmental shocks, while around two-thirds of 10-year-olds globally are unable to read and understand a simple text.
To tackle these challenges, and offer concrete opportunities for meaningful positive change, UNICEF’s paper ‘Children and Young People at the Heart of EU Actions’ calls for the EU to champion children’s rights, make the EU budget work for children, and to strengthen governance for children by building on progress made through the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.
“The new EU political cycle is an opportunity to place the youngest generations at the centre of the European project,” added Bainvel.
UNICEF is also calling on the EU to prioritize the voices of children when deciding on policies which can affect their futures. Children and young people must be able to have the freedom to not only express themselves but to decide on a future fit for themselves.
"Young people shouldn’t let others take decisions about them without them," said UNICEF youth advocate Pavlina, 17, from Greece, who joined UNICEF to engage with MEPs in the run up to the European Parliament elections.
Read UNICEF’s guidance to the EU in full: Guidance for EU decision-makers for 2024-2029 | UNICEF European Union