Results of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Social policy), 9 March 2026

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The Council has approved conclusions calling on member states and the Commission to invest in children, in order to increase their well-being and combat poverty and social exclusion in the EU.

Investing in children is a strategic investment in the EU’s future competitiveness, stability and cohesion. The conclusions call on EU countries and the Commission to ensure adequate funding for projects that address child poverty.

“Breaking the cycle of disadvantage must be a collective European effort. Poverty in childhood too often leads to exclusion in adulthood, with profound human and economic costs.”
Clea Papaellina
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare of the Republic of Cyprus

In the context of the 2026 European Semester, ministers adopted, for the first time, a Council recommendation on human capital. The aim of the recommendation is to provide guidance to member states on tackling labour and skills shortages across the EU, with a view to boosting competitiveness. 

"With persistent labour and skills shortages affecting strategic sectors from health to digital technologies, today’s recommendation marks a decisive step to strengthen our competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion by investing more effectively in people’s knowledge, skills and potential."
Marinos Mousiouttas
Minister of Labour and Social Insurance of the Republic of Cyprus

Press Conference

Find more information on the official website of the Council of the EU.

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