Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European Capitals for Children
TA-9-2024-0173 · P9_TA(2024)0173 · PE760.485
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Parliament's resolution asks the Commission to explore creating a European initiative that annually designates European Capitals for Children, working with local authorities and civil society organisations led by or working with children.¶ It says these capitals should support child policies, bring children in member states closer together, promote children's rights and participation, and be co-led with children themselves.¶¶¶ It wants them to promote social inclusion and equal opportunities, especially for children with fewer opportunities, and to help fight child poverty and implement the European Child Guarantee.¶¶ It says they should host EU-related educational, cultural and sports events, and connect existing child participation mechanisms at local, national and EU level.¶¶
Key points
- Calls on the Commission to explore creating a European initiative to annually designate European Capitals for Children, with local authorities and civil society organisations led by or working with children.¶
- Says the capitals should provide evidence for responsible child policies, with children participating and their perspectives prioritised on equal opportunities, healthy growth, quality education, clean environments and urban development.¶
- Says the capitals should bring children in the member states closer together and help them understand each other, breaking down prejudices and stereotypes and promoting intercultural dialogue.¶¶
- Says the capitals could be co-led with children through children's organisations and clubs, promoting children's rights, active child participation and European citizenship education.¶
- Says the capitals should promote social inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities, ensuring the broadest possible civil society involvement and paying particular attention to children with fewer opportunities and the most vulnerable groups.¶
- Says the capitals could help fight child poverty, examine children's living conditions and implement the European Child Guarantee, through exchanges of best practices; reiterates its call for a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion for the Guarantee.¶
- Says the capitals should host EU-related educational, cultural and sports events, including workshops on 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.¶
- Recalls that children's best interests must be taken into account 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.¶
- Says the annual designation, with children empowered to participate as partners and future decision makers, will help children grow into open-minded adults.¶
- Says the capitals will help 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.¶
Who is affected
- The Commission, which is asked to explore creating the initiative.¶
- Children, who should participate and be prioritised in the capitals' work.¶¶¶
- Local authorities and civil society organisations led by or working with children, to collaborate on the initiative.¶
- Member states, which should implement the European Child Guarantee.¶
Figures and deadlines
- at least EUR 20 billion — dedicated budget called for the European Child Guarantee¶
Legal basis: Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 9 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶