On the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European Capitals of Children

Key points

1. Parliament calls on the Commission to explore creating a European initiative to annually designate European Capitals of Children, in collaboration with local authorities and civil society organisations led by or working with children.¶
2. The capitals should provide evidence to support responsible child policies, with children participating and their perspectives prioritised, notably on equal opportunities, healthy growth, quality education, clean environments and urban development.¶
3. They should bring children in the member states closer together and help them better understand each other.¶
4. Parliament believes fostering understanding between people and cultures from an early age breaks down prejudices and stereotypes and promotes intercultural dialogue.¶
5. The capitals could be co-led with children through children's organisations and clubs, and promote children's rights, child participation mechanisms and European citizenship education.¶
6. They should promote social inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities, ensuring the broadest possible involvement of civil society, with attention to children with fewer opportunities and the most vulnerable groups.¶
7. They could help fight child poverty, examine children's living conditions and implement the European Child Guarantee, through exchanges of best practices; Parliament reiterates its call for a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion for the Guarantee.¶
8. They should host EU-related educational, cultural and sports events, including workshops on everyday life, discrimination, child sexual abuse, poverty, social exclusion, gender equality, the digital world, climate protection, mobility, urban development, democracy, history and freedom of religion and belief.¶
9. Parliament recalls the need to consider children's best interests in the digital transformation and all digital actions concerning them, notably their physical and mental health, safety and well-being, while promoting digital education and literacy.¶
10. Parliament stresses that an annual designation with children empowered to participate as partners and future decision makers will help them grow into open-minded adults.¶
11. The capitals should connect existing child participation mechanisms at local, national and EU level, including the EU Children's Participation Platform and the European Capital of Youth, and involve children in decision-making.¶