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Welcome to the website of the European Platform for Investing in Children

In late February 2013 the European Commission (EC)  adapted the Recommendation “Investing in Children- breaking the cycle of disadvantage” as part of the Social Investment Package which proposes a long-term social strategy to help overcome the current crisis and to strengthen the capacity of individuals.

In the current economic downturn, child poverty is also on the rise. Furthermore, parents, and in particular many women, still struggle to balance their working and family lives, a problem exacerbated by insufficient childcare provision.

The Recommendation provides guidance for Member States on how to tackle child poverty and social exclusion through measures such as family support and benefits, quality childcare and early-childhood education. Approaches of social investment in individual capacities are particularly beneficial for children from a disadvantaged background providing high social returns. They are also a crucial factor in breaking cycles of intergenerational transmission of poverty.

Within the framework of the Recommendation EPIC will be used to collect and disseminate innovative practices which were found to have a positive impact on children and families in European Union (EU) Member States. EPIC is a tool for monitoring activities triggered by the Recommendation. Practices that are evidence based will be made available in the Practices that Work section of this website.

EPIC will also serve as a platform for sharing the best of policymaking for children and their families, and foster cooperation and mutual learning in the field through thematic seminars and workshops.