Here you will see news from Europe, from civil society, from research, highlighting emerging trends from local to international level relevant for families of today.
A COFACE Families Europe member, The Isadora Duncan Foundation organized the 1st Global Symposium on Single-Parent Families, which took place in the city of León.
The European Parliament has adopted a report on the EU Disability Strategy post-2025. The text was adopted on 27 November 2025. It includes a chapter on families.
This year’s annual COFACE Disability platform meeting aimed to bring together COFACE members and external partners to share diverse insights and experiences related to the inclusive transition of care services for persons with disabilities. It was hosted by Unapei in Paris.
The main task of the High-Level Group was to analyse the expected impacts of megatrends such as demographic changes, resulting in a shrinking workforce and an ageing population, transformations on the labour market and the digital and green transitions, as well as the emergence of new risks on the social protection and on the welfare systems.
While single motherhood does not automatically mean vulnerability, statistics, and testimonies show that this status puts women at increased risk of poverty and social exclusion. On this International women’s rights day, COFACE Families Europe is calling on the EU and Member States to act now for the economic and social rights of single mothers.
COFACE member organisation, Fundação LIGA, is making strides in promoting open dialogue about diversity and inclusion in society with their bi-monthly podcast “Inclusivamente”. The podcast features meaningful conversations with people with disabilities, businesses, and universities.
COFACE and its members in Europe work to address the needs of all families and boost gender equality. In February 2023, our president Annemie Drieskens delivered a speech at the European Parliament during the “Empowering Women Now” event organised by Renew Europe.
As the EU economy advanced its recovery following the pandemic, the high rate of inflation throughout 2022 meant that wage setting actors made their decisions under a cloud of uncertainty.
Becoming a parent can be very joyful, but it can also be stressful. A study by Amy Heshmati, Helena Honkaniemi and Sol P. Juárez (Stockholm University) shows that mental health disorders during the post-natal period are common morbidity, but parental leave might help alleviate symptoms by preventing or reducing stress.
