Children’s Health and Health Equity. Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 – Investment in Children

Negotiations on the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) are expected to end by mid 2013, allowing the new EU budget to enter into force in 2014. The MFF will establish EU spending between 2014 and 2020 and provides a political as well as budgetary framework for focusing resources and investments where needed. Save the Children believes that the EU and its Member States must show political willingness to prioritise children’s rights and to be held accountable for the commitments that they make in regard to children. In the framework of Save the Children’s global priority “Investment in Children”, the organization works to ensure that the EU allocates adequate human and financial resources to realize children’s rights, and that the EU spends resources efficiently.
While the EU does not have a role as a healthcare provider, it can play an important role in addressing health inequalities across Europe, particularly through the proposed Health for Growth Programme 2014-2020. Since the EU is currently negotiating the proposed Health for Growth Programme, Save the Children would like to share specific recommendations ahead of the new programming cycles for the next EU budget :
– Focus on reducing health inequalities in Europe;
– Target marginalised and vulnerable groups;
– Invest particularly in children’s health – actions should contribute to promoting better understanding and recognition of children’s special health needs;
– Support health education, raise awareness and access to information;
– Monitor spending; and;
– Establish and support partnerships with civil society in the Member States for accelerated achievement of health equality