On 7 October, EFFE had the honor of participating in the launch of the Intergenerational Forum of the European Parliament, hosted by MEPs Idoia Mendia Cueva and Michał Szczerba. This new Forum aims to strengthen cooperation between generations and place intergenerational solidarity at the heart of European policy, at a time when the European Union faces profound demographic and social changes that require coordinated action. It aspires to become a true platform for dialogue and understanding, aligning the European Parliament with the priorities of the European Commission and contributing to the upcoming Intergenerational Fairness Strategy.
Idoia Mendia Cueva emphasized the need to expand the work of the existing interest group and commit to intergenerational fairness. She highlighted that policies should not only address ageing but also the challenges faced by younger generations, ensuring that no one is left behind. Mendia underlined the unpaid care responsibilities often borne by families, particularly women, and stressed that strengthening gender equality is not only a matter of fairness but also of competitiveness. She called for the Forum to actively support the implementation of the European Competitiveness Compass, becoming a pathway to protect the most vulnerable while addressing the challenges faced by all generations.
Michał Szczerba outlined the next stage of the interest group, focusing on the impact of EU regulations on older persons. With Europe ageing, older citizens face higher risks of poverty, social exclusion, and labour market marginalization, especially women. Informal carers provide a significant portion of care, resulting in economic and social consequences. Szczerba emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of older persons and carers, while ensuring that fairness also benefits younger generations, and invited all MEPs to join this collective effort to uphold dignity and opportunity across ages.
Commissioner Glenn Micallef presented the European Commission’s ongoing work on a strategy to strengthen intergenerational cooperation and communication. Anchored in long-term perspectives, the strategy seeks to integrate intergenerational considerations across all policy areas, from childhood to old age, including climate, skills, social rights, employment, housing, and debt. Engaging citizens and stakeholders is central to ensuring the strategy reflects the needs of both current and future generations.
Commissioner in charge of demography, Dubravka Šuica, highlighted the outcomes of the consultation on the Future of Europe, noting that while demography remains a competence of Member States, the EU can create conditions for families to thrive. She presented the Demography Toolbox, which addresses care responsibilities, youth skills mismatches, longer working lives for older citizens, and legal migration. She also emphasized the need for a European expert body to support ageing policies and the advancement of a European Action Plan to fight ageism.
Other contributors drew attention to the pressing shortage of care workers in Europe. MEP Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu underlined that millions of nurses and caregivers are urgently needed, while Dana Carmen Bachmann, Head of Unit in Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission, stressed the importance of aligning the Compass, anti-poverty strategies, and skills development with demographic realities.
The Intergenerational Forum represents a unique opportunity to recognize the contributions of all generations, address structural inequalities, and create policies that enhance both fairness and competitiveness. As the European Commission prepares to unveil its Intergenerational Fairness Strategy, the insights and recommendations from the Forum will play a crucial role in shaping this policy. EFFE is proud to contribute actively to this process, ensuring that the voices of caregivers, domestic workers, and their employers are heard, and that policies reflect the diverse needs of all generations.
EFFE’s participation underscores our commitment to advocating for policies that support both older and younger generations. At the core of our involvement is the recognition that intergenerational fairness is essential for a cohesive and thriving Europe. We bring our expertise on the challenges faced by homecare workers and the user-employers, the importance of fair labor practices, and the need for policies that support work-life balance across all ages.
The Intergenerational Forum marks a significant step toward a Europe that values and supports its citizens, regardless of age. EFFE is proud to be part of this transformative journey, advocating for a fairer and more inclusive future for all.