(fra Kommisjonens pressemelding 5.3.2026)

Commission presents first ever Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness

Today, the European Commission adopted its first Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, to further develop the reflex of long-term thinking in EU policymaking, while giving greater weight to the views and concerns of young people. The EU's overarching goal is to guarantee that current decisions are made with the future in mind, ensuring a fair balance of benefits and burdens across all generations.

The Strategy aligns with global efforts for a long-term approach in planning and policies, such as in the UN Declaration on Future Generations. It is shaped around the concept of an ‘Intergenerational Contract', built on a threefold foundation:

• Fair policymaking, by applying a ‘youth check' and foresight tools;
• Fair opportunities, to address the risk of age discrimination;
• Fair places, so that the region you are born in doesn't define your future.

It adopts a long-term perspective, looking at how complex challenges, such as demographic change, geopolitical shifts, labour market changes, climate change, digitalisation and artificial intelligence among many others, affect both present and future generations. The Strategy recognises that such challenges illustrate both the scope and the urgency of this issue.

To achieve this goal, the Strategy sets out a number of actions, including: 

• Intergenerational Fairness Index to identify opportunities and gaps, inform policy decisions and promote fairness across generations;
• Multilingual Future Oriented Policymaking package to support the development of future literacy in public administrations across EU Member States;
• Organising a demography forum to exchange on demographic developments;
• Voices of the Future initiative to be launched in partnership with the Committee of the Regions, inviting local and regional authorities to engage in shaping their regions' future.

The Strategy also provides a common direction for different EU initiatives that are already contributing to intergenerational fairness, underlining its cross-cutting nature. Competitiveness and promoting a strong European Social Model are prioritised. From inclusive education and affordable housing to strong care systems and environmental justice, the Strategy helps embed intergenerational fairness across all policy areas.

At global level, the EU and its Member States endorsed the UN Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations, which underline the importance of multilateralism and the promotion of a rules-based international order.

A Progress Report in early 2028 will contribute to the UN Future Generations process.

Background

In the 2024-2029 Political Guidelines, Commission President von der Leyen announced that the EU must ensure “that decisions taken today do no harm to future generations and that there is increased solidarity and engagement between people of different ages.” In this context, Commissioner Micallef, responsible for Intergenerational Fairness, was tasked with preparing “a Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness to map out how we can strengthen communication between generations and ensure that interests of present and future generations are respected throughout our policy and law making.”

The Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness was developed through research and participation, drawing on the evidence and methods of the Joint Research Centre's EU Policy Lab and a European Citizens' Panel. The latter brought together 150 randomly selected citizens from all 27 EU Member States, who delivered 24 recommendations on fostering fairness across generations. The European Citizens' Panels are part of the EU tools to support dialogue both within and between different generations.  Other examples include the EU Youth Dialogue and the EU Children's Participation Platform.

In September 2024, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, and the UN Declaration on Future Generations.

For more information

Communication

Factsheet

European Citizens' Panel on Intergenerational Fairness

Joint Research Centre and Intergenerational Fairness