Conclusions and recommendations

Conference - Promoting intergenerational solidarity in the EU

28 October 2024

On 10 October 2024, the Civil Society Organisations' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised the conference Promoting Intergenerational Solidarity in the EU. The discussion was in connection with the newly adopted EESC opinion Promoting Intergenerational Solidarity in Europe - Towards a horizontal EU approach and the appointment of a Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness at the European Commission. Institutional and civil society actors discussed the positive impact of intergenerational solidarity in the context of an ageing European population and analysed the key role each generation plays - and should be able to play - in ensuring a sustainable future for all. According to the opinion, these discussions should be continued in the framework of the Intergenerational Solidarity Forum that could be set up at the EESC.

Promoting intergenerational solidarity in the EU for a healthier democracy

• EU societies are undergoing an unprecedented change. The ageing population changes demographic dynamics while diverging priorities with younger generations create real fragmentation. On a wide range of issues, including employment, pension systems, climate change, health and care services and political participation, both younger and older generations feel inadequately represented in current policy responses.
• The greater numbers of older people in our societies call for the creation of specific policies, targeting their needs. The younger generations also face problems (sometimes even different problems within each generation) that require distinct responses from policymakers. To address them, fair representation of all generations must be ensured.
• All generations should have equal opportunities to participate in policymaking and speak out to build resilient democracies, capable of confronting current societal challenges.
• Intergenerational solidarity must be included as an objective of the European Social Fund in the multiannual financial framework 2027-2034 and its implementing regulations.
• A new European Strategy for Older People, as proposed by the EESC, should be adopted. The youth dimension in national policies should be monitored in the European Semester process.
• Civil society should represent all generations in decision-making. An open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society organisations in all policy areas, as the Civil Society Organisations' Group also called for in an open letter to the EU institutions, is key to effective policies and cohesive and resilient communities.
• The Civil Society Organisations' Group welcomes the intention of the European Commission to raise the profile of intergenerational fairness in policymaking through a dedicated portfolio and calls on the European Commission to publish a Green Paper on intergenerational solidarity without delay.

Rethinking our societies and economies to build a Europe for all ages

• The current societal challenges are multisectoral. An ageing population and greater life expectancy in Europe call for a new pension system, as well as a rethinking of the labour market. It is crucial to develop the silver economy, mitigate the taxation burden on the workforce and implement more flexible retirement arrangements.
• In addition, social protection and the quality and adequacy of welfare systems need to be reviewed. The formal care sector and pension literacy need to be promoted. The education and health sectors are of primary importance, especially for the most vulnerable. Childcare services and access to the labour market and financial security are interdependent.
• Therefore, a just and equitable society requires sufficient facilities as well as individual approaches.
• Most challenges are faced by both younger and older generations: sufficient income to ensure a dignified life, access to adequate housing, to life-long learning, flexible employment conditions, work-life balance, healthy environment.
• We need social cohesion, respect, equality and solidarity to make people aware of these issues and build a sustainable and equitable Europe for everyone. This will require a long-term continuous effort between generations and for the future.
• Indeed, intergenerational fairness includes future generations as well. We should all be good ancestors. This is particularly relevant in the context of climate change and its consequences that we are experiencing today. All generations are impacted by the extreme weather events occurring more and more often. The burden of the climate crisis should not be left to future generations. This is why solidarity is key.
• With the rising costs of living, both young and old generations are impacted by financial difficulties and the lack of affordable housing solutions. Intergenerational housing solutions are starting to be implemented by non-governmental organisations in some Member States. However, there must be a systemic answer to these challenges.

Creating a sustainable investment for the future: revitalising sectors in urban and rural areas

• The changing demographics in Europe have an impact on its competitiveness too. Labour force shortages are emerging in many sectors, especially those that no longer attract younger generations.
• The care workers sector is in crisis, with a growing demand for care for older people and people with disabilities, while the majority of care work is informal. 80% of all care work is estimated to be provided by family members and the value of free care provided is estimated at 2.5% of European GDP. This is due to the lack of labour in the sector as well as the lack of affordable long-term care services.
• In the face of this situation, policies need to be created in order to support caregivers. The importance of care work in Europe needs to be recognised and it needs to be made more appealing with adequate wages. The overrepresentation of women in informal care work remains an issue to be addressed, as it hampers their access to paid work.
• Volunteers should be given the necessary tools to play their role in the promotion of intergenerational solidarity.
• Furthermore, rural areas are particularly impacted by the changing demographics. Young people tend to leave to take up more attractive jobs in cities, and only older generations remain. This puts a toll on European agriculture, where the average age of a farmer is 57 years old and only 6.9% of farmers in Europe are under 35 years old.
• Young people must be given incentives to move to or return to rural areas and to start their own businesses, particularly in agriculture. Access to finance and land are crucial.
• Consequently, the agriculture sector needs to become more competitive and all generations of farmers should be seen for their true value. This is especially important for the development of a close-circuit economy and the fight against climate change. It is essential to prioritise local products with a small carbon footprint and revitalize rural areas in order to ensure generational renewal.
• Intergenerational solidarity means bringing young people into decision-making processes sooner and giving them a say in the future, but also using the knowledge of the older people who are living longer and in better health and guaranteeing them a decent and dignified life.
• All generations must aim for a sustainable future in which no one is left behind.