The challenges of the European child guarantee at regional and local level

The evidence collected in this study confirms that cities and regions have a primary role in identifying and assisting children in need in order to favour their social inclusion. Responsibilities vary across countries but in almost all EU Member States both local and regional authorities (LRAs) are key in providing education, health, housing and social services (including healthy food) to homeless children; children with a migrant background, or minority ethnic origin; children experiencing severe deprivation, social exclusion, disabilities or mental health issues; children in alternative care; and children in precarious family situations which may endanger their safety. In addition, many cities and regions make provisions for their children in need to have access to leisure, sports and cultural activities. In some EU countries, local and regional authorities are not only involved in the delivery of these services but also in their planning and financing with their own or other public/private resources. Thus, the role of LRAs is not a secondary one when it comes to the implementation of the recently approved (June 2021) European Child Guarantee.