Family Cities
By Luciano Malfer, Research and Family Development Manager, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) The ability to attract, welcome and retain people and families has become one of the most important challenges for the future of European territories. Declining birth rates, an ageing population and the growing mobility of skills are deeply changing communities and their social … Read more
By Luciano Malfer, Research and Family Development Manager, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) Urban areas are now where the effects of climate change are felt most intensely. The urban heat island effect, caused by the widespread presence of concrete, asphalt and other impermeable surfaces, means that temperatures in cities are on average around 4°C higher than … Read more
The Regional Department for Family Policies of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (Italy) has launched a three-year plan injecting a record-breaking €493 million into targeted family support measures between 2026 and 2028. By Linda Banfi This unprecedented funding, further bolstered by additional regional administrative resources, is specifically designed to provide concrete financial stability to local … Read more
How are our European households keeping up with the rising energy costs? How do foreign conflicts and geopolitical instability impact it? According to a new analysis from the Resolution Foundation (UK), the Iran conflict will cost households more than 550€ By Linda Banfi As Europe is tragically affected by the volatility of fossil fuel markets, … Read more
Following its membership of the European Network of Family-Friendly Municipalities and its participation in the presentation of best practices in Brussels, Galapagar is taking another step forward in its commitment to family wellbeing. The Department for Children, Youth and Families has launched the ‘Plan Impulso’, a pioneering initiative designed to alleviate the stress and anxiety … Read more
The urban sphere is not immune to the AI-pandemic that seems to be influencing every aspect of our life. An Italian study shows how AI-directed recommendations tend to shape our choices in a uniform way. By Linda Banfi (original article on wired.it) How many times have we searched online for a new restaurant to try? … Read more
The EFR Model as a strategic lever for companies and territories. It proposes a systemic approach to balancing work, personal, and family life, transforming corporate welfare into a real governance tool. By Luciano Malfer, Research and Family Development Manager, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) In recent years, a change of paradigm has also emerged in the … Read more
Addressing and preventing poverty from childhood to old age The Commission is setting out the ambition to help eradicate poverty in the EU by 2050. This first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy sets out a comprehensive approach to prevent and protect against poverty. On 6 May 2026 the European Commission adopted the first ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, a Communication on strengthening … Read more
On 28 April, the European Urban Initiative (EUI) held a webinar detailing its City-to-City Exchange program. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for cities to connect with peers across Europe to tackle shared urban challenges, fostering knowledge exchange and long-lasting strategic bonds. What is a City-to-City Exchange? The City-to-City Exchange is a short-term, focused capacity-building … Read more
The European demographic crisis has placed an unprecedented burden on rural territories, where the double issue of an aging population and youth outmigration is a dramatic threat for the future survival of these non-urban centres. By Linda Bafi, from familycities.eu Almost as a paradox, data show that living in such areas is not considered to … Read more
Intervention of Maja Jésmanowicz, former intern of ELFAC and volunteer in the Polish associacion of large families 3Plus, in the conference “Europe, DNA of the future” at the European Parliament on 22 April 2026. Thank you very much for inviting me to take part in the conference. It is a challenge for me, but also … Read more
The rate of poverty for people living in households with dependent children was highest in Spain (29.9%) By Eurostat In 2025, 22.1% of people living in households with dependent children in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE), compared with 19.8% of those without dependent children. The AROPE rate for people living in households with dependent children … Read more
