Solidarity between generations is a value enshrined in the Treaties of the European Union. For the first time, this principle has been given political weight within the College of Commissioners through a dedicated portfolio on intergenerational fairness.
Tomorrow, through exchanges with young citizens, civil society organisations, elected representatives and international leaders, we are bringing the principle of intergenerational fairness into open political discussion. My role is to make sure those perspectives are not just heard, but reflected in the way that help shape EU policies that are fair for today's citizens and future-proofed for the generations yet to come.
This dialogue marks an important step as we move from identifying challenges to building solutions. This is why the Commission is preparing the first-ever EU Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, based on broad public engagement and focused on practical, long-term action. Its objective is to strengthen solidarity between generations, improve how different age groups engage with EU policymaking, and ensure that policy decisions do not harm future generations.
Citizens' contributions will be essential to ensure that the strategy reflects real concerns and builds a fairer, more resilient Europe for the generations to come. A dedicated citizens consultation is already open on the Commission's engagement platform, and a European Citizens' Panel on intergenerational fairness will convene this autumn to provide further input. These participatory processes will help ensure that the strategy reflects real concerns and builds a fairer, more resilient Europe for the generations to come.
In parallel, the Commission has introduced the 'youth check' — a tool to better assess the impact of major legislative proposals on younger generations.
This dialogue is essential to preparing policies that stand the test of time.
