Child Guarantee

The foundation for a self-determined life is laid in early years. The social participation of children and young people is therefore a cornerstone of an equitable society, yet it is too often neglected in political practice.

To ensure young people’s access to social infrastructure, the European Union has introduced the “Child Guarantee.” It aims to provide all children in need with access to five services:

• Free early childhood care, education, and upbringing

• Free education

• Free healthcare

• Healthy nutrition

• Adequate housing

Each member state can decide independently how to implement the Child Guarantee. This leaves ample room for innovative approaches, allowing European countries to inspire one another where needed.

Since the Child Guarantee is an EU-wide initiative, countries across Europe are testing different measures to improve the social situation of the youngest members of society. We therefore take a comparative approach, gathering insights from various countries to understand how Germany’s situation looks in a broader context. To do this, we research relevant data points, conduct expert interviews, and collect guest contributions to gain a better understanding of promising policy approaches from other countries.