European Economic
and Social Committee
Inter-generational solidarity within the eu - Connecting generations: fostering intergenerational dialogue, justice and solidarity in the European Union
The Treaty on European Union states that ‘The Union ... shall promote ... solidarity between generations’.
However, ageism, negative attitudes towards certain age groups, and demographic trends paired with multiple crises are dividing European societies and creating barriers to real inclusion and participation. These issues affect not only older generations but will also affect today’s younger generations in the future. At the same time, intergenerational dialogue and positive influences on economic development (thanks to the intergenerational design of the labour market and the silver economy) would cover the needs of different generations in a sustainable way, strengthening both democracy and social cohesion. Intergenerational dialogue, characterised by an exchange of knowledge and experience between generations, would work as a particular form of civil dialogue. We therefore need a new political approach of intergenerational solidarity – here and now!
To begin, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) calls on the European Commission to publish a Green Paper on intergenerational solidarity. This should include proposals mentioned in the EESC opinion on Promoting European intergenerational solidarity, including those related to the world of work, the silver economy, pension systems, health and care services, local development, housing, mobility, climate policy, lifelong learning and participation and volunteering. The Member States, in turn, are advised to exchange their best practices in those fields. To support these efforts, intergenerational solidarity should be established as one of the objectives under the European Social Fund 2027-2034 regulations.
Civil society organisations and social partners play a key role in planning and implementing specific policies in the fields mentioned above. They represent different generations, provide services in cooperation with volunteers of all ages, and raise awareness about intergenerational solidarity across the EU (e.g. by celebrating the European Day of Solidarity between
Generations on 29 April). Therefore, also in response to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s initiative to install ‘a commissioner whose responsibilities will include ensuring intergenerational fairness’, the EESC ought to establish an Intergenerational Solidarity Forum. This forum should provide a platform for exchanging information and experience and for developing new ideas in close cooperation with the civil society organisations and other relevant actors working in intergenerational dialogue, justice and solidarity. With the participation of the European Commission, the forum might also monitor the implementation and further development of the intergenerational solidarity approach across the EU.
Krzysztof Stanislaw BALON (PL)
Vice-President, Civil Society Organisations’ Group Secretary, Programming Committee, Working Community of Associations of Social Organisations (WRZOS)