Caritas Europa, as part of the Investing in Children Alliance, welcomes the strong reference to child poverty reduction made by the European Commission in its Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), announced on 4 March.

Caritas Europa welcomes the setting of a target to reduce the number of children living in poverty by five million by 2030. Nevertheless, we call on EU Member States to set more ambitious national targets, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 1 of a 50% decrease, or at least 9 million children lifted out of poverty.

We firmly agree with the European Commission that focusing on reducing child poverty will allow children to have equal access to opportunities and will contribute to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty.

We also appreciate the Commission’s acknowledgement of the essential contribution of civil society to a successful implementation of the EPSR, and call on the Member States to ensure all stakeholders’ full participation in the process.