Child Poverty
“We can barely buy food, sometimes we just eat macaroni for the whole week and there are days when there’s no food at all because there’s no money and everything is so expensive. I could easily go a week without eating properly. Sometimes I eat at my friends’ houses and try to eat at school because there’s no food at home.”
Despite Europe’s overall wealth, millions of children and their families continue to live in poverty and social exclusion.
Through its programming and advocacy, Save the Children promotes every child’s right to quality education, adequate nutrition, and accessible healthcare—ensuring they receive the support needed to thrive.
In 2024, alongside our programming work, a key focus was to advocate for child poverty reduction and social inclusion to remain central priorities in the new EU social agenda. We called for the ambitious implementation of the European Child Guarantee as a vital tool to address these persistent challenges—both within the EU and in pre-accession countries.
Our work at the heart of communities
IN NUMBERS
47
projects and programmes tackling child poverty across Europe
"People with foreign backgrounds live in one place and lots of rich people in another place - but it should be mixed. So that you grow up and feel that “ah I can be that” instead of “I can only be a cleaner."
Spotlight on... Romania
Access to Preschool Education through the Summer Kindergarten Program
I came every day to the Save the Children summer kindergarten. Here I play with the children, we draw and sing. Everything is very cheerful here and I have already learned all the numbers and some letters. In the fall I'll go to school, I'm very excited!
Objective
Improve school readiness and reduce early school dropout among children from disadvantaged communities—particularly Roma—by increasing access to preschool education.
What we do
- Run a two-month Summer Kindergarten programme for children aged 3 to primary school entry.
- Focus on children with little or no preschool experience.
- Support early learning, smooth integration into school, and parental involvement.
- Each group is led by an educator + mediator/social worker, with parents encouraged to participate daily.
- Activities follow five key areas of child development, using a methodology developed with the Ministry of Education.
Impact
- 15,900+ children reached so far.
- 93% remained in school five years later, proving the long-term impact of early education.
Spotlight on... Denmark
Summer Camps for Children and Families in Vulnerable Situations
It was a lot of fun playing with new friends, swimming, baking pancakes and having a bonfire.
Objective
Provide inclusive recreational opportunities and social support for children and families in vulnerable situations during the summer holidays.
What we do
Save the Children Denmark organises summer camps that offer a safe and enriching environment for vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Activities promote friendship, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. The camps also serve as informal entry points to additional support services and community networks.
Impact
In 2024, more than 1,300 individuals participated—marking the highest turnout in the programme’s 70-year history—highlighting strong demand and significant social inclusion impact.
Spotlight on... Italy
Poli Millegiorni
Objective
Support the cognitive, physical, and emotional development of children in their first thousand days of life, particularly those living in vulnerable circumstances.
What we do
Poli Millegiorni is a flagship initiative designed to improve access to quality early childhood education for children aged 0 to 6. It offers workshops, recreational and cultural activities, and tailored educational services for children aged 18 to 36 months. The programme also supports parents by strengthening parenting skills and connecting families with local services and resources. This holistic approach reinforces both child development and family resilience.
Impact
By integrating early education with comprehensive family support, Poli Millegiorni promotes healthy development, strengthens community inclusion, and ensures children grow in safe, nurturing environments.
Spotlight on... Albania
Youth and Community Centres
Objective
Improve the well-being of young people by building their confidence, supporting their rights to education and protection, and fostering equal opportunities in family and community life.
What we do
- Provide safe, inclusive spaces for young people.
- Offer life skills sessions, vocational training, and entrepreneurial education.
- Promote pathways to employment, participation, and community engagement.
- Empower young people to overcome barriers and achieve their potential.
Impact
- 300 early adolescents (10–14 years old) reached.
- 1,797 youth (15–24 years old) supported.
- 851 adults (25+) engaged.
- Contributes to breaking cycles of poverty and exclusion—fostering resilience, independence, and hope for a more equitable future.
JOINT EUROPEAN WORK
European Child Guarantee
The Child Guarantee—and its potential to lift millions of children out of poverty across Europe—remains a top priority for Save the Children. In 2024, both independently and in collaboration with the EU Alliance for Investing in Children, we launched two reports and several position papers, hosted two high-level events, and deepened engagement with policymakers at national and EU levels—always bringing evidence and expertise from our programmes and research.
„Every child living in poverty is a catastrophe, for the child, its family & society.
— Save the Children Europe (@SaveChildrenEU) April 11, 2024
The sooner we improve their living conditions & equip them with the security, opportunities and skills they need, the brighter the future for our next generations will be.” - @dragos_pislaru pic.twitter.com/fvZ44DKeXX
Child Poverty Week
In April 2024, Save the Children held a Child Poverty Week to spotlight the catastrophic effects of poverty on children and Europe’s social model. The initiative aimed to generate political commitment ahead of the European Parliament elections. Drawing on expertise from the work of 15 Save the Children members across the continent, we launched our flagship report Investing in Childhood: Charting a Path to End Child Poverty Across Europe, analysing national social protection systems, reviewing progress on the Child Guarantee, and offering actionable recommendations for policymakers.
Extending the Child Guarantee to pre-accession countries
The report and our broader advocacy also underlined the importance of implementing the Child Guarantee in pre-accession countries. Since its launch in 2021, Save the Children has championed the policy framework as a driver of structural reforms and stronger child protection systems. In 2024, we highlighted its potential through concrete examples, such as Albania, demonstrating its role in aligning policies with the EU’s social acquis.
Blerina Celoaliaj, @SaveChildrenAlb:
— Save the Children Europe (@SaveChildrenEU) April 11, 2024
“Reflecting on my journey with colleagues at Save the Children in Brussels, two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined presenting Albania’s progress on the #ChildGuarantee today.
But here we are, a testament to the power of collective efforts… pic.twitter.com/IyDQK8Hbg3
Calling EU Policymakers to continue investing on child poverty reduction in 2024-2029
As a follow up from the European Parliament elections, in October 2024, Save the Children organised a high-level event at the European Parliament to launch the policy paper Fighting Child Poverty in Europe – A Call to Action for EU Policymakers. The paper, directed at EU institutional representatives—particularly newly elected Members of the European Parliament—emphasised the urgent need for coordinated action against child poverty. The event brought together MEPs, European Commission representatives, civil society, and children from Save the Children’s European Child Advisory Board.
"This creates a feeling of exclusion and that feeling runs deep. For many children, it’s not just about being hungry for a day – it’s about not seeing a future."
Ruaa
Save the Children youth advocate, speaking at the event in the European Parliament
Building alliances for impact
Save the Children recognises the critical role of a coordinated civil society in ending child poverty and promoting social inclusion. For the past ten years, we have co-led the EU Alliance for Investing in Children with Eurochild—the largest informal European network of stakeholders on child poverty. In 2024, as part of this Alliance, we issued joint statements and position papers directed at EU Presidencies, newly elected MEPs, and Child Guarantee National Coordinators, stressing the urgent need for ambitious and effective implementation of this historic policy framework.
LOOKING AHEAD
📌 Our focus
Save the Children will continue working to promote and protect the rights of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion through both programmes and strong advocacy at EU and national levels.
🔑 Our advocacy priorities
- Strengthen the European Child Guarantee and integrate it into broader frameworks, including the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and the EU’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy.
- Continue calling for the implementation of the Child Guarantee in pre-accession countries.
- Secure funding in the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to ensure political commitments are matched with resources to effectively combat child poverty.
📊 What’s next
- Drawing on our research and direct work with children and families in vulnerable situations across Europe, we will launch a new pan-European Child Poverty Report in October 2025, providing comprehensive data and analysis on child poverty and social exclusion across Europe.
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