The scandal of child poverty in Europe - are governments doing enough?

One in four children growing up in Europe is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. It's a shocking statistic and the lifelong implications are huge. Growing up in poverty means a child is more likely to drop out of school and less likely to be able to find a decent job, with their children in turn at risk of growing up in poverty.

The EU’s European Child Guarantee aims to break this cycle of disadvantage, putting into action the European Pillar of Social Rights on child care and support to children.

Launched in March 2021, the Guarantee sets out the right to access to free education, including early childhood education and after school activities, a healthy school meal a day, healthcare , good nutrition and decent housing for all children.

One year after the launch, EU countries have to submit their national action plans to the European Commission, explaining how they will put the Child Guarantee into action. They will then have to report on their progress every two years.

According to the United Nations, one child per second in Ukraine is becoming a refugee of the war. The total number of people who have fled the country since the Russian invasion began has passed three million, with half of these children.

There are calls for EU governments’ national action plans on implementing the Child Guarantee to take into account the influx of Ukrainian refugees.

_"_In any war, children are the ones that pay the highest price,” says Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General of Eurochild, a network of organizations that work with vulnerable children.

_“Currently, it is very difficult to comprehend the enormity of the devastation. Obviously, the most important thing is their lives, the humanitarian corridors, getting them out to safety.