In March 2021, the European Commission released the European Child Guarantee, aiming at breaking the intergenerational cycle of disadvantage and promote equal opportunities by guaranteeing access to a set of key services for children in need (under 18 year olds at risk of poverty or social exclusion).
In 2019, almost 18 million children in the EU (22.2% of the child population) lived in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
Under the European Child Guarantee, it is recommended to Member States to provide free and effective access for children in need to:
- early childhood education and care – for example, avoid segregated classes;
- education and school-based activities – for example, adequate equipment for distance learning, and school trips;
- at least one healthy meal each school day; and
- healthcare – for example, facilitating access to medical examinations and health screening programmes.
These services should be free of charge and readily available to children in need.