Families Europe

Page d'Accueil
België
Brussels
Families Europe

A European network of family organisations representing the interests of ALL families, based on values of pluralism and non-discrimination.

We advocate for policies/legislation promoting equal opportunities between persons and between family forms. COFACE Families Europe is a pluralistic network of civil society associations representing the interests of all families.

02/08/2026

Four years ago today, the EU's Work-Life Balance Directive entered into force, marking an important step towards better supporting working parents and carers across Europe.

Since then, the Directive has helped strengthen rights such as paternity leave, carers' leave and flexible working arrangements, contributing to a better balance between work and family life.

🎥 Watch our short video to learn more about why the Work-Life Balance Directive matters for families and why its full implementation remains essential.

Read more here: https://coface-eu.org/event/work-life-balance-strategies-in-family-policy/

13/07/2026

✨ Missed it live? Watch it now!

How can we build more inclusive education systems where children with disabilities are fully included in education and society?

In this webinar, we spotlight our Belgian member organisation Ouders voor Inclusie, and their work to empower parents in Flanders to help ensure children with disabilities are fully included in education and society.

🧩One practical example of their work is The Zo Zit Ik In Elkaar (“This is what I’m like”) a digital profile builder designed for children with additional support needs.

We also invited the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education, to share the actions and projects they are taking to strengthen inclusive education models across Europe.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover concrete initiatives and action supporting inclusive education!

📽️ Catch up here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwD6ynNXMQs

09/07/2026

Have you heard about the initiative of creating a fund for every child born in Finland?

Our member Väestöliitto, has proposed the new “Baby Fund” in response to Finland’s demographic challenges.
It is a research-based family policy proposal that is unique at the international level, aimed at supporting families having their first child.

📉The Finnish birth rate has fallen since the beginning of the millennium and one of the main factors that prevent families having their first child is the financial uncertainty.

💶The model proposes that a €5,000 share be opened for every child born in Finland. It would become available when that child has a child of their own.

📈 According to the organisation, this measure could result in more than 15,000 additional births compared to the current situation.

Keep following Väestöliitto and its innovative Baby Fund initiative!

👉 Read more here: https://coface-eu.org/vaestoliitto-proposed-the-baby-fund-an-innovative-family-policy-to-address-finlands-demographic-challenges/

30/06/2026

📬 Our newsletter for June is out, go check our website!

🌞 As we approach the summer break, we are pleased to share our latest edition of the COFACE newsletter!

This new edition brings together initiatives and key developments that place families at the heart of social policy discussions across Europe.

We explore topics such as parental leave and the reduction of inequalities, demographic resilience, children's well-being, and the role of families in tackling poverty.

It also highlights the inspiring initiatives, good practices, and innovative proposals put forward by COFACE member organisations to help build a more family-friendly society.

We wish all our readers, members and partners a restful and enjoyable summer break and look forward to sharing more news and developments with you in the autumn!

👉 Read the full newsletter here: https://coface-eu.org/category/newsletter/

26/06/2026

📢 Join our member Mulheres à Obra, for its upcoming event "Women Without Borders Webinar – AI Superpowers for Women Entrepreneurs"!

It is a European initiative bringing together organisations from Portugal and North Macedonia to empower women through digital skills and entrepreneurship.

Discover 5 practical ways Artificial Intelligence can help you work smarter, grow faster and connect beyond borders.

📅 23 July 2026
🕛 12:00–15:00 CET
💻 Free online event

Register here: https://forms.gle/i9Tszov34eMhY8ou9

10/06/2026

Are parental leave reforms changing the way families share care responsibilities in Poland?

A new report by Fundacja Share The Care, a COFACE member organisation, looks at what has happened in the three years since Poland implemented the EU Work-Life Balance Directive.

📈 More fathers are taking parental leave and becoming more involved in childcare.

⚖️ Yet structural and cultural barriers continue to limit the equal sharing of care responsibilities and affect opportunities for mothers and fathers in the labour market.

💭 What progress has been made and what still needs to change to achieve parental equality?

Find more here: https://coface-eu.org/parental-equality-in-poland-new-report-marks-three-years-since-work-life-balance-directive-implementation/

05/06/2026

📢 A final reminder!

If you haven't already registered, now is the time.

Join us on 11 June for a discussion on the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and how it can become a pillar of social and economic resilience, with perspectives from the European Commission, European Parliament and civil society.

🔗 Register here: https://coface-eu.org/event/the-eu-anti-poverty-strategy-a-pillar-of-social-and-economic-resilience/

02/06/2026

🎙️ Join us for the next COFACE Breakfast Bytes webinar
🗓️ 24 June 2026 | 🕤 9:30–11:00 AM CET (Brussels time)
🌐 Zoom (Free & in English)

🔗 Register: https://coface-eu.org/event/choosing-inclusive-education-pathways-for-your-child-communication-and-empowerment-tools-for-parents-and-carers/

Topic: Choosing Inclusive Education Pathways for Your Child: Communication and Empowerment Tools for Parents and Carers

Speakers:
▪️ Iwona Suska, Member of the Steering group of Ouders voor Inclusie
▪️ Kim Van Mele, Member of the Board of Ouders voor Inclusie
▪️ Antonella Mangiaracina, Activity Manager, European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education

How can parents and carers help shape inclusive education pathways for their children? Join us to explore practical communication and empowerment tools, including a digital profile tool that helps children present their strengths, interests and support needs beyond a diagnosis.

The webinar will also spotlight experiences from family organisations and inclusive education experts working to make education systems more accessible for all children.

26/05/2026

📢 Our 2025 annual report is out now!

We are thrilled to share our Annual Report, highlighting the key milestones, achievements, and impact of our work throughout 2025.

Together with our members and partners, we continued working to ensure that families’ voices are heard and reflected in policy and practice across Europe.

Discover how we have supported families across Europe throughout the year.

👉 Find the full report here: https://coface-eu.org/publications/ -reports

🙏 A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making 2025 a year of progress, collaboration, and shared impact!

22/05/2026

Children’s well-being must remain at the heart of EU social policies 💙

This week, COFACE Families Europe participated in the high-level conference “No Child Is Left Behind: Promoting Child Well-Being and Combating Child Poverty”, organised under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The discussions brought together policymakers, civil society and experts to exchange on child poverty, early childhood investment and the implementation of the European Child Guarantee across Europe. COFACE highlighted the importance of integrated family support services and preventive approaches that strengthen the well-being of children and families alike.

Find more information here: https://coface-eu.org/coface-families-europe-participates-in-cyprus-eu-presidency-event-on-child-well-being/

A strong social Europe starts with investing in children and ensuring that no child is left behind. 🌍✨

Adresse

105/b48 Rue Du Marché Aux Herbes
Brussels
1000

Téléphone

+3225114179

Site Web

http://www.coface-eu.org/, https://youtube.com/shorts/YbmihnGVJ6w

Notifications

Soyez le premier à savoir et laissez-nous vous envoyer un courriel lorsque Families Europe publie des nouvelles et des promotions. Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas utilisée à d'autres fins, et vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.