Intergenerational Fairness Strategy
Summary
The Commission will present the first EU-wide strategy to embed long-term, intergenerational perspectives across policymaking. It will: (1) strengthen intergenerational democratic participation and scrutiny; (2) tackle cross-cutting challenges (i.e. climate, housing, fiscal sustainability, skills and lifelong learning) through an intergenerational lens; and (3) empower all ages, combating ageism and protecting children’s rights. The strategy is being co-created via a 2025 four-phase process and may include a monitoring tool for intergenerational fairness. It will align with the Union of Skills agenda and related education actions, ensuring no generation is left behind. It will propose metrics and mainstream youth participation.
Action items
1. Support building futures literacy in public administrations across EU Member States bypublishing a multilingual Future Oriented Policy-making package.
2. Reinforce the use of strategic foresight in policymaking, for instance by supporting the Futures Balance Tool, an AI-enabled tool for forward-lookingpolicy analysis in development in partnership withthe UN Beyond Lab.
3. Continue the systematic application of the Youth Check, including Youth Policy Dialogues, to the key initiatives of the Commission work programme to examine the potential impact of new policies on young people.
4. Task the European Group on Ethics in Scienceand New Technologies (EGE) with providing analysis and recommendations on Fair Digital Futures, AI and Digital Public Goods.
5. Publish an intergenerational fairness strategy progress report in early 2028 to inform EU contributions to UN follow-up to the Declaration on Future Generations.
6. Publish a Longevity Roadmap, meant to mapage-specific policy issues for all age groups toidentify strategic opportunities for actively shaping longer, healthier and financially secure lives.
1. Compile an Intergenerational Fairness Index to identify opportunities and gaps, inform policydecisions and promote fairness across generations.
2. Support the development of a compendium of best practices on age equality by the High-Level Group on Non-Discrimination, Equality and Diversity building on the forthcoming study on discriminationon the grounds of age in the EU which provides an overview of national action plans or measures on age equality.
3. Encourage collaborative research activitiespromoting intergenerational fairness under Horizon Europe.
4. Organise a Demography Forum as a place for exchange and mutual learning on addressing demographic developments.
5. Boost citizens engagement – particularly of young people – by supporting participatory and consultative processes including through:
a. Promoting Intergenerational dialogues, participatory budgeting, participatory foresight, citizens’ panels and innovative online civic tech tools.
b. Organising the 2026 European Youth Week dedicated to solidarity and fairness.
c. Raising awareness particularly around November 16 as a day marking Intergenerational Fairness.
6. Strengthen the intergenerational fairness dimension in EU youth and sport policies through the post 2027 EU Youth Strategy andEU Work Plan for Sport, as well as strengthen child participation in EU policy making, byupholding children’s rights in all relevant EU policies27 and building on the EU Children’s ParticipationPlatform.
1. Launch the Voices of the Future initiative with the Committee of the Regions, inviting local and regional authorities to engage in shaping their regions’ future (announced in the European Democracy Shield).
2. Foster inspiration, connection and mutual care by building intergenerational partnershipswith libraries, museums, sport organisations an community centres, as well as cultural, academic, creative, forward-looking programs such as:
a. Promoting intergenerational cultural exchanges and inclusion in line with the Culture Compass for Europe
b. Highlighting inclusive, accessible and sustainable transport solutions for all generations through the European Mobility Week 2026
c. Promoting intergenerational activities through sport, particularly initiatives that unite generationsand provide easier access to sport and physical activity for all ages – with a #BeActive EU Sport award for the category “across generations”
3. Safeguard and regenerate public spaces for strengthened social cohesion and sustainability through the New European Bauhaus initiative and its community-led activities and through knowledge on the role of public spaces for democratic resilience.