Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) held a debate on Child Wellbeing and Child Benefits – mapping child benefit systems across EU Member States during the CoR plenary session in Brussels. The discussion was chaired by Nikola Dobroslavić, Prefect of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County (Croatia, EPP), and highlighted the role of local and regional authorities in improving support for children and families across Europe. Opening the debate, members emphasised that strong child benefit systems and accessible local services are essential to ensure equal opportunities for all children and to support families across the EU.
Marija Šarić, Mayor of the City of Pleternica (Croatia, EPP), stressed the importance of long-term policies that support families from the earliest stages of childhood, particularly through investment in early education. “Without children, families have no future. Policies should offer long-term stability, starting from investment in pre-school education,” she said, adding that sustainable societies depend on investing in younger generations.
Focusing on health and prevention, Jesús Ángel Garrido Martínez, Director General for Funds and Relations with the European Union in the Government of La Rioja (Spain, EPP) highlighted the need to address children’s nutrition as part of broader social policy. He underlined the role that regional and local authorities can play in improving children’s diets and preventing obesity. “We need healthy nutrition, which must be linked to the European Child Guarantee,” he said, noting that stronger measures may be needed to protect young children from unhealthy food.
Local service accessibility was another key theme, Martine Mousserion, Municipal Councillor of Anché (France, EPP) described the “guichet unique de l’enfance” – a one-stop shop for childhood services – implemented in her community of communes in central-western France. The initiative simplifies families’ access to childcare and youth services by combining digital tools with in-person assistance from professionals. She explained that the service provides information, guidance and administrative support for families, particularly helping disadvantaged and single-parent households overcome barriers such as unemployment, transport difficulties or limited access to services.
Sari Rautio, City Councillor of Hämeenlinna (Finland, EPP) welcomed the opinion and highlighted the importance of shared responsibility in protecting children’s rights and wellbeing. Referring to Hämeenlinna as the first UNICEF Child-Friendly City in Finland, she noted that the initiative provides a practical framework for improving children’s lives at the local level. “Investing in children is essential for Europe’s future,” she said, encouraging other cities to draw inspiration from the Child-Friendly City model.
Finally, Brídín Murphy, Councillor at Wexford County Council (Ireland, EPP) stressed that economic development alone does not guarantee equal opportunities for all children. She underlined the importance of reliable child benefit systems and stronger involvement of local and regional authorities in EU initiatives. “Economic progress alone does not guarantee equal opportunities for every child,” she said, adding that local and regional authorities must be fully involved in implementing the European Child Guarantee.
The debate highlighted the key contribution of Europe’s regions and cities in delivering policies that support children and families on the ground, while ensuring that no child is left behind.