Ukraine Launches Implementation of the "European Child Guarantee" Program

Today, on July 24, the forum "European Child Guarantee: Preparing for Implementation in Ukraine" took place in Kyiv. Government representatives, communities, international partners, and civil society discussed strategic decisions to maintain the continuity of ongoing child rights reforms and ensure policy alignment within the framework of the European Child Guarantee.

The event was attended by Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, Denys Ulyutin.

The European Child Guarantee is an EU initiative aimed at ensuring children in need have access to essential services and preventing their social exclusion. Ukraine’s participation in this initiative will consolidate existing child protection policies into a unified European framework, strengthening efforts to combat child poverty, social exclusion, and unequal access to opportunities.

"When Europe speaks of 'a child’s life,' it means well-being, opportunities, and development. In Ukraine today, we mean physical survival. When Europe talks about 'the future,' it refers to long-term prospects. For us, this phrase sometimes narrows down to 'living to see tomorrow.' This is the reality Russia’s invasion has forced upon us. And children are its most vulnerable hostages," said First Lady Olena Zelenska.

The President’s wife emphasized that 44% of Ukrainian children now show signs of potential PTSD, according to the "Future Index" study. Additionally, UNICEF data indicates nearly 70% of young Ukrainians lack access to adequate nutrition and housing.

"We welcome Ukraine’s commitment to a whole-of-government approach that consolidates existing initiatives into an effective and inclusive child-focused policy, aligned with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and EU standards," said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine.

As a candidate for EU membership, Ukraine’s decision to implement the European Child Guarantee is a logical continuation of its strategic European integration course, reflecting steadfast political will to establish child-centered policies.

"Implementing this initiative is critical not only as a response to the humanitarian crisis but also as a structural part of our path to EU membership," said Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

In turn, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova stressed that Ukraine has an opportunity to place children at the heart of its recovery — both in rebuilding the country and on its EU accession path.

In recent years, Ukraine has adopted several comprehensive strategic documents, including the Strategy for Ensuring Every Child’s Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment, the Demographic Development Strategy, Inclusive Education Strategy, National Strategy for Barrier-Free Access, School Meal Reform, Strategy for Roma Rights and Opportunities, and the National Strategy for Child Rights in Justice. These documents already largely reflect the goals and principles of the European Child Guarantee.

The forum was organized by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, with support from UNICEF Ukraine, the German Development Bank KfW, the European Union, NGO "UAExperts," and the Coordination Center for Family-Based Childcare Development.

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