Supporting families means investing in Europe’s future: Proposals to support households that ensure generational renewal were presented to the Committee on Older People, the Family and Demographic Challenges
The Spanish Federation of Large Families (FEFN) has presented a set of policy proposals to the Commission on Older People, Family and Demographic Challenge of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), calling for stronger local support for families who play a key role in ensuring generational renewal.
At a time when Europe is facing an unprecedented demographic challenge, FEFN stressed that families with children — and particularly large families — are essential to the sustainability of our societies. Supporting these households is not only a matter of social fairness, but also a strategic investment in the future of our communities, labour markets and welfare systems.
From a policy perspective, FEFN called on municipalities to take a more proactive role in creating family-friendly environments. Among the measures proposed are improved access to public services, targeted financial support, and the introduction or reinforcement of local tax benefits, including reductions in property tax (IBI) and waste collection fees. These actions would help reduce the economic pressure on families and enable them to fully contribute to social and economic life.
The Federation also underlined the importance of integrating family policies across all areas of local governance, from urban planning to mobility, education and social services. Creating supportive ecosystems for families is essential to fostering demographic resilience and territorial cohesion.
In this context, the European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC) highlights the importance of scaling up initiatives such as the European Network of Family-Friendly Municipalities, which promotes the exchange of good practices and supports local authorities in designing and implementing effective family policies. Strengthening this network is key to advancing a shared European response to demographic decline.
Ultimately, building family-friendly cities and regions means recognising families as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Local governments, in cooperation with national and European stakeholders, have a decisive role to play in making this vision a reality.