New EU social funding for child poverty in The Netherlands

The European Union (EU) is providing new investment to help tackle child poverty in The Netherlands as part of its ‘regional funding’ process.

Around 413 million euros is being given through the European Social Fund+, (ESF+) some of which will be directed to areas where poverty is preventing children going to school and participating in sporting and other community activities.

The ESF+ is the European Union’s main instrument for investing in people, and this latest initiative is part of the wider EU Cohesion Policy which now includes The Netherlands. This policy, says the EU, is all about improving the economic well-being of its many regions in and trying to avoid regional disparities that exist.

‘Issues affecting children and young people’

This latest Cohesion Policy cash injection will provide around 2 billion Euros The Netherlands between 2021 and 2027, and as well as the social inclusion focus it also encompasses a range of issues that affect the country’s children and young people, including the environment and sustainable urban development.

Nicolas Schmidt, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, described the latest investment as ‘a concrete example of solidarity in challenging times’.

The Netherlands is the tenth Partnership Agreement adopted for the 2021-2027 funding period, following Greece, Germany, Lithuania, Austria, Finland, Czechia , Denmark, France and Sweden.