Promoting European intergenerational solidarity – towards an EU horizontal approach

Background

The age structure within the EU population is changing: from 2002 to 2022, the share of the 65+ age group in the population increased from 16% to 21%. This demographic trend, paired with multiple crises in climate, democracy and security are creating an urgent need to design a new political approach to intergenerational solidarity in the European Union. All generations – including future ones – must have the right to realise their core values and needs.

Solidarity across generations is key for sustainable development, overcoming ageism and incorporating young people's perspectives in relevant policies. There are also important policy areas where the interests of both young people and older people are considered complementary, for example: solidarity-based retirement schemes; housing (especially multigenerational housing); solidarity-based health and long-term care services; development of urban and rural areas for all generations; political responses to climate change; lifelong learning; development of volunteering; sustainable transport and mobility for all generations.

In previously adopted opinions, the EESC welcomed the European Union Youth Strategy and proposed a new European Strategy for Older Persons. This opinion focuses on the needs and contributions of all generations, especially on the unique challenges and opportunities facing older people and youth. Intergenerational dialogue, as a particular form of civil dialogue, can contribute to policies which take different trends and future scenarios into consideration. Intergenerational justice, dialogue and solidarity are crucial for the sustainability of democracy, social cohesion and the European way of life.

Key points

The EESC:

• while supporting the initiative to continue celebrating the EU Day of solidarity between generations on 29^th April, calls on the European Commission to adopt a coordinated, cross-cutting EU approach to intergenerational solidarity, ensuring the rights of both young and older people. Moreover, intergenerational solidarity should be one of the criteria for assessing whether legislation and other EU instruments contribute to the aims set out in Article 3(3) TEU: ‘The Union (...) shall promote (...) solidarity between generations;
• welcomes the intention to appoint an EU Commissioner with responsibility for intergenerational fairness. The EESC will consider hosting an Intergenerational Solidarity Forum for the exchange of information and experience, evaluating existing and developing new concepts of and strategies for intergenerational solidarity as well as, in cooperation with the European Commission, to monitor the implementation of the opinion's recommendations. Civil society organisations and social partners’ involvement is key in implementing the recommendations, given their important role in promoting intergenerational solidarity;
• calls on the European Commission to publish a Green Paper on Intergenerational Solidarity, which may include, within the context of the Welfare State, challenges, opportunities and solutions in the various fields mentioned in this opinion. Requests establishing intergenerational solidarity as one of the objectives under the European Social Fund in the 2027-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework and its implementing regulations;
• calls on the European Commission to adopt a recommendation calling on the Member States to take into account the intergenerational aspects in the labour market. It stresses that intergenerational dialogue, justice and solidarity should be discussed and included in the Council of the European Union’s Conclusions.

The text of the draft opinion can be found here.

Additional information

Section: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)

Opinion number: SOC/800

Opinion type: Own-initiative

Rapporteur: Krzysztof Stanislaw Balon

Date of adoption by section: 3/9/2024

Result of the vote: 57 in favour/1 against/17 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 18/09/2024 – 19/09/2024

Result of the vote:   in favour/ against/ abstentions

Contacts

Press officer: Leonard Mallett

Tel.: 00 32 2 546 93 37

Email: Leonard.Mallett@eesc.europa.eu  

Administrator: Gabriela Grasu

Tel.: +32 2 546 91 62

Email: Gabriela.Grasu@eesc.europa.eu