Towards a progressive initiative for intergenerational solidarity in Europe 

Recently, intergenerational solidarity has reemerged as a pressing concern on the EU’s agenda. Parallel to the September 2024 declaration on future generations at the United Nations Summit of the Future, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made the topic a priority in her 2025-2029 political guidelines, appointing Glenn Micallef as the first-ever European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport.   

With an ageing population putting pressure on jobs, pensions and care systems, Europe’s social protection model must adapt to cater to the needs of all generations. Moreover, the environmental and economic decisions made today will shape the lives of future generations. At the same time, different voting partners between generations are creating risks that some voices will no longer be heard, hence threatening our democratic fabric. In view of these challenges, it is crucial that no generation is left behind.  

With the Commission’s strategy being developed in its scope and vision (publication foreseen early 2026), now is the moment to define fairness between generations from a progressive perspective and how it can guide policies for a more just and sustainable future.  

To discuss how intergenerational fairness should be understood and what we as progressives want it to be, FEPS hosted an expert meeting on Tuesday, 3 June 2025 from 12.30 to 14.00. The meeting first presented key ideas for the progressives to champion intergenerational fairness and then offered the space for a frank and open exchange between stakeholders. Participants included various representatives from the progressive political family as well as relevant voices from the academic world and civil society. 

The discussion relied on a draft policy brief, prepared by FEPS and circulated in advance. The outcome of the meeting will contribute to the final version of the upcoming policy brief on “A meaningful European Initiative for Intergenerational Fairness”.

This expert meeting was by invitation only. For more information regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact Matteo Dressler, FEPS Policy Analyst on Democracy and Participation (matteo.dressler@feps-europe.eu) or François Balate, FEPS Policy Analyst on Social (francois.balate@feps-europe.eu).