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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260203T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260203T170000
DTSTAMP:20260119T142051Z
CREATED:20260119T114234Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T142051Z
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SUMMARY:European conference on inclusive labour markets
DESCRIPTION:About the conference\nAs member of the Horizon Europe PATHS2INCLUDE consortium\, we are proud to announce the project closing conference “European labour markets under pressure – new knowledge on pathways to include persons in vulnerable situations”.  \nThe project’s final conference will take place in Brussels\, Belgium on 3 February 2026 and aims to be a key tool for dissemination and incubator for new partnerships for the take-up of PATHS2INCLUDE data in policy and practice. \nThe aim will be to: \n\nPresent key research findings emerging from the PATHS2INCLUDE research\, highlighting key points of vulnerability in different labour market scenarios as well as new knowledge on best practice in labour market inclusion;\n\n\nConnect participants working on inclusive labour markets from different perspectives at national and EU level; and\n\n\nDiscuss how different EU policy and legal frameworks can provide potential solutions to these vulnerabilities\, and different scenarios to develop inclusive labour markets for persons in vulnerable situations.\n\nA variety of topics will be discussed related to the labour market inclusion of groups in vulnerable situations\, such as reflections on gaps in data\, workplace dynamics to prevent discrimination\, gender equal labour markets\, older workers in vulnerable situations\, the impact of digital developments on labour markets\, the role of the European Union in shaping inclusive labour markets\, and more. \nThe agenda is available here. Please contact Cloë Rossenbacker\, COFACE Project and advocacy officer\, for further information about the conference.\ncrossenbacker@coface-eu.org  \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language.\nPlease know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints.\nIt is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all.\nIf you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form.
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/european-conference-on-inclusive-labour-markets/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260303T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260303T110000
DTSTAMP:20260416T134452Z
CREATED:20260113T101127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T134452Z
UID:26716-1772530200-1772535600@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:Breakfast Bytes Webinar - Empowering rural women\, strengthening families: Community-based solutions in practice
DESCRIPTION:Empowering rural women\, strengthening families: Community-based solutions in practice\n  \nDate: 3 March 2026\, 9.30-11.00 CET\nSpeakers\n\nMargit Batthyány-Schmidt\, President\, Union of Hungarian Women Association\nViktória Szeri\, Coordinator\, Union of Hungarian Women Association\n\n\nDescription\nIn the run-up to the UN International day of women’s rights (8th March)\, this webinar focused on rural women\, families\, and community-based good practices\, and with speakers from the Union of Hungarian Women Association (UHW). The main objective of UHW is to empower rural women\, enhance their role in the family\, improve their quality of life\, maintain their physical\, mental and emotional health and encourage them to become entrepreneurs. They believe that family well-being can be ensured by strengthening the social\, economic and cultural role of women. \nDuring the webinar\, participants learned about the TalentA Programme run by UHW in order to support women entrepreneurs in rural areas\, a programme previously developed in cooperation with Corteva Agriscience (an international agricultural science and technology company that focuses on helping farmers produce food more sustainably and profitably). The programme is aimed at women who tend to be underrepresented in business leadership\, and has a sectoral focus on agriculture and more specifically on green and digital transition in farming\, aligning it with EU’s twin transition agenda and key innovation goals. The TalentA Hungary Programme has been included among the best practices of the EU Interreg Europe programme. \nIn parallel\, they also focus on the right to health for rural women\, with a new National Health Promotion Programme launched in January 2026. This programme focuses not only on physical health\, but also on mental and emotional wellbeing\, with a strong family and community perspective. Additionally\, they participate in European projects like the CERV project called Grapes of Change focusing on care\, mental health\, and community resilience. \nFurther information\nView the full presentation here\nMagyar Női Unio | női egyesület\nTalentA Hungary – Training and micro-grants for women driving green & digital farm innovation \nWatch the recorded webinar here \n_________________________________ \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language.\nPlease know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints.\nIt is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all.\nIf you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form.
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/webinar-empowering-rural-women-strengthening-families-community-based-solutions-in-practice/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Athens:20260317T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Athens:20260317T170000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194832Z
CREATED:20251107T162933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T194832Z
UID:26090-1773734400-1773766800@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:Families in the age of Artificial Intelligence: Rights\, inclusion and empowerment
DESCRIPTION:Families in the age of Artificial Intelligence:\nRights\, inclusion and empowerment\nEuropean expert meeting \n17th March 2026\nAthens\, Greece \nBackground\nAs artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in daily life\, its impact on families is growing\, shaping how they work\, learn\, care\, communicate\, and stay safe online. \nCo-hosted by COFACE Families Europe and KMOP\, this expert meeting convened researchers\, policymakers\, tech experts and civil society to discuss the impact of Artificial intelligence on family life and inclusion\, with a focus on rights\, equity and empowerment in the digital age. \nUsing a multi-generation approach looking at children and adults\, we aimed to collect information from COFACE members and partners about family experiences at home\, in the labour market\, in schools and in the online environment\, while highlighting the transformative role of AI and looking at both risks and opportunities. \nThe programme highlighted the state of play of artificial intelligence today\, while also looking towards the future and its impact on families. \nKey areas explored during breakout sessions are the following: \n\nFuture of work: what risks and opportunities for AI-exposed workers?\nOnline safety and navigating AI in digital environments\nFinancial inclusion and consumer rights in an AI world\nAI for families in migration: threat or opportunity?\nLeveraging AI for inclusive care and social protection\nAI in education: enhancing equity and respecting children’s right\n\nTogether\, we identified the challenges for families of today and considered the building blocks of a family-friendly digital future\, one where AI serves as a tool for social inclusion\, equity\, and well-being for all families. \nProgramme of the event\nThe full programme can be found here. \nModerators and speakers\nCheck out the great moderator team and wide variety of speakers from local to international level! \nMeet the moderators\nMeet the speakers \nResources\nRead the full meeting report here and a summary of the meeting here.\nCheck out our glossary of basic AI terms.\nPresentations breakout sessions: \n\nAI & Online safety: Manon Letouche\nAI & Online Safety: Carlos Puente Pérez\nAI & Financial inclusion: Martin Schmalzried\nAI & Financial inclusion: Peter Norwood\nAI & Education: Romina Cachia\nAI & Education:  Antonia Nikou\nAI & Work: Mateusz Krząkała\nAI & Work: Angelica Salvi Del Pero\nAI & Migration: Vasileios Margaritis\nAI & Migration: Anusha Zubairy Yildiz\nAI\, Care & Social Protection: Lara Bezzina\n\n____________________________ \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language. \nPlease know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints. It is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all. If you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form.
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/families-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence-rights-inclusion-and-empowerment/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260326T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260326T130000
DTSTAMP:20260326T155356Z
CREATED:20260119T095634Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T155356Z
UID:26761-1774519200-1774530000@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:COFACE working group on financial inclusion
DESCRIPTION:Objective of the working group\nThe objective of this working group is to bring together COFACE members and partners working on financial inclusion\, to discuss EU developments and exchange information on key national trends. We will discuss relevant EU legislation\, and collect information on challenges and good practices from our Member organisations. This is an internal meeting\, with some guest speakers. The working language of the meeting is English. \nEU context\nTwo main topics will be addressed during the meeting. \nThe first one concerns financial literacy. The European Commission published an EU Financial Literacy Strategy on 30 September 2025 (as part of its “savings and investments union” package). The strategy responds to low financial literacy levels in the EU (with fewer than 20% of citizens reporting a high level of financial literacy) and sets out EU-level actions to support Member States\, including coordination and sharing of good practices\, an EU-wide awareness campaign\, targeted EU funding for initiatives and research\, and monitoring of progress over time. \nThe second one is about the use of AI in finance.  At the EU level\, discussions continue to focus on how the EU AI Act will be implemented in practice\, especially for use-cases relevant to financial services (general-purpose AI used in workflows\, and high-risk systems such as creditworthiness checks). Key recent EU-level developments include the entry into application of GPAI obligations from 2 August 2025\, the publication of the GPAI Code of Practice (10 July 2025) and Commission guidelines clarifying the scope of GPAI obligations (17 October 2025). Some relevant workstreams have been launched in 2025 such as consultations on copyright/text-and-data-mining opt-out protocols (open 1 Dec 2025–23 Jan 2026) and on a draft implementing act for AI regulatory sandboxes (open 2 Dec 2025–13 Jan 2026). In parallel\, the Commission has also signalled potential simplification amendments to the AI Act as part of its Digital Omnibus/Simplification work (19 November 2025)\, which may impact consumers. \nMeeting report and presentations\nEuropean Commission Financial Literacy Strategy\nDebt service advice services in France\nMeeting report (summary) \n__________________________ \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language. Please know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints. It is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all. If you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form.
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/coface-working-group-on-financial-inclusion-2/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260519T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260519T130000
DTSTAMP:20260415T145020Z
CREATED:20260305T193439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T145020Z
UID:27117-1779190200-1779195600@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:Online workshop: Empowering family organisations to engage in the European Semester process
DESCRIPTION:19th May 11.30-13.00 CET\nRegister here to receive your individual meeting link \n  \nThe European Semester is the European Union’s yearly cycle for coordinating economic\, fiscal\, employment\, and social policies across its member countries. It helps ensure that EU countries’ policies are aligned with shared EU priorities such as economic stability\, growth\, and social objectives. \nIt strongly shapes national reforms and EU funding priorities\, yet it often flies under the radar of civil society. \nThis online workshop aims to: \n1.Explain what the European Semester is in simple terms\n2.Identify where family issues already appear (or should appear) in this process\n3.Recognise entry points for civil society and family organisations\n4.Provide actionable tips to engage in the Semester \nThis is open to COFACE members only. \n 
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/online-capacity-building-empowering-family-organisations-to-engage-in-the-european-semester-process/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260611T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260611T160000
DTSTAMP:20260511T152514Z
CREATED:20260508T080242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T152514Z
UID:27564-1781186400-1781193600@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy: a pillar of social and economic resilience
DESCRIPTION:EU Policy Webinar\nThe EU Anti-Poverty Strategy: a pillar of social and economic resilience\n11th June 2026 – 14.00-16.00 CET online \nBackground\nPoverty and social exclusion remain significant challenges across the European Union.  In 2025\, just below 93 million people in the European Union were at risk of poverty or social exclusion\, including a large number of children and families. The figure is equivalent to 21% of the of the Union’s population. Economic shocks\, rising living costs\, housing pressures\, and labour market inequalities have increased the vulnerability of many households. \nFollowing the launch of the new EU Anti-Poverty Strategy on 6th May 2026\, this webinar arrives at a critical moment for European social policy. This flagship initiative provides a decisive framework for future interventions\, but its success hinges on its capacity to deliver through integration into the European Semester and its ability to put forward a holistic ecosystemic vision of poverty as a phenomenon requiring cross-sectoral responses. Through the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan\, the EU has committed to reducing the number of people at risk of poverty by at least 15 million by 2030. The new Strategy must give new these initiatives fresh impetus by leveraging: \n\nthe European Child Guarantee\, acting as a laboratory for innovation\, by creating multi-agency initiatives that support children within their family systems;\nthe European Social Fund Plus\, which finances programmes to combat poverty and support families in vulnerable situations such as single parents and family carers of children with disabilities;\nthe European Semester\, the primary vehicle for ensuring the Strategy’s capacity to deliver by coordinating social and economic policies designed to improve work-life balance for women and men\, access to early childhood education and care\, long-term care and social protection;\n\n\nPreventing family poverty\nPoverty is rarely an individual issue – it is experienced within families and across the life course. To address the multidimensional nature of poverty\, effective anti-poverty strategies should move beyond sectorality to dismantle policy silos and foster multisectoral coordination. \nNot all households are in the same financial situation nor possess the same resilience characteristics. Families\, as structural units\, shape poverty dynamics through their composition\, internal organisation\, and the solidarity bonds they uphold. Drawing from the COFACE position paper on prevention of family poverty\, we advocate for a balanced policy mix founded on the four pillars of Resources\, Services\, Time\, and Governance (RSTG). \nTo effectively address poverty and social exclusion\, COFACE believes policies must adopt a family-centred lens\, recognising households as interdependent systems where vulnerabilities intersect and compound across generations. A narrow focus on individuals risks obscuring the relational dynamics of poverty – how precarity transfers between family. \nObjectives of the webinar\nNational and European civil society organisations and family associations play a crucial role in ensuring that policies respond to the real needs of families and effectively reach those most at risk of poverty. This COFACE webinar aims to explore how the new EU anti-poverty strategy can move from a generic description of poverty to a poignant\, actionable framework. The discussions will: \n\nProvide an overview of the EU anti-poverty framework and its capacity for integration into the European Semester;\nExamine how EU initiatives drive innovation through multi-agency coordination to address poverty among families and children;\nFoster dialogue between EU institutions\, policymakers\, researchers\, and family organisations on the need for holistic\, cross-sectoral responses;\nIdentify policy priorities using the COFACE RSTG pillars (Resources\, Services\, Time\, Governance) to better support families facing poverty.\n\n\nProgramme\nWith speakers from the European Commission\, European Parliament and European civil society\, we will take a closer look at this recent package of EU social measures proposed to strengthen the fight against poverty. See the full programme here. \nChild participation\nChildren are welcome to participate in COFACE webinars. These webinars are set up with child safeguarding in mind to ensure they are a safe and inclusive space for child participation. \nRegistrations\nRegister for the webinar here\n_________________________________ \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language. Please know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints. It is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all. If you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form.
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/the-eu-anti-poverty-strategy-a-pillar-of-social-and-economic-resilience/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260624T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260624T110000
DTSTAMP:20260706T125130Z
CREATED:20260306T132229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260706T125130Z
UID:27133-1782293400-1782298800@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:Choosing inclusive education pathways for your child: communication and empowerment tools for parents and carers
DESCRIPTION:Date: 24th June 2026\, 9.30-11.00 CET \nSpeakers:   \n\nIwona Suska\, Member of the Steering group of Ouders voor Inclusie\nKim Van Mele\, Member of the Board of Ouders voor Inclusie\nAntonella Mangiaracina\, Activity Manager\, European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education\n\n\nDescription: \nThis webinar put the spotlight on the Belgian organisation Ouders voor Inclusie (Parents for Inclusion). Through their advocacy and practical tools\, they are helping to empower parents in Flanders to ensure their children with disabilities are fully included in education and society. They do this through a mix of advocacy\, policy shaping\, and support. They aim to shift the narrative away from introducing children based on their diagnosis or support needs\, towards highlighting holistically who is the child\, what they enjoy and are good at\, and what works well for them. \nOne practical example is the Zo Zit Ik In Elkaar (“This is what I’m like”) tool that they created. This is a digital profile builder for a child or young person\, designed especially for children with additional support needs. The goal is to help others see the whole child\, not just a diagnosis or school report. It’s a communication and empowerment tool for parents to present their child in a strengths-based way and support inclusive participation in school\, leisure activities\, and later work. Once the profile is created\, parents can share it with people around the child\, for example: teachers and school staff\, youth group leaders or sports coaches\, therapists or support workers\, and more. \nWe also invited a reaction from the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (celebrating 30 years this year) on actions they are taking to consolidate inclusive education models in Europe\, in partnership with family organisations. Antonella spoke about the importance of partnership in education\, with particular emphasis on families’ involvement and the project she has been leading\, Learners and Families Shaping Action. As part of this work\, they developed a self-reflection tool for families of learners which Antonella presented during the webinar – see more here. \nFurther information \nhttps://oudersvoorinclusie.be/\nhttps://zozitikinelkaar.be/\nhttps://www.european-agency.org/ \n \n  \n_________________________________ \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language. Please know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints. It is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all. If you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form. \n 
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/choosing-inclusive-education-pathways-for-your-child-communication-and-empowerment-tools-for-parents-and-carers/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260915T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260915T123000
DTSTAMP:20260915T171543Z
CREATED:20260529T162746Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T171543Z
UID:27730-1789464600-1789475400@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:COFACE working group on single parent families
DESCRIPTION:COFACE working group on single parent families\n15 September 2026\n9.30-12.30 CET\nAbout the meeting\nCOFACE Families Europe hosted an online working group meeting on single parent families: this included representatives of parents and youth of single parent families\, as well as generalist family organisations advocating for single parent families. \nIt took place on Tuesday 15th September from 9.30-12.30 CET and focused on the reality of single parent families across different European countries\, and how the EU covers single parents in their different initiatives. \nWe had different keynotes from Egyszulo (Hungary)\, Women4Women (Czechia) and VAMV (Germany). \nWorking language of the meeting: English. \nParticipants: \n\nThis working group was open to all COFACE member organisations representing or supporting single parent families in all their diversity. The first part of the meeting from 9.30-11.30 CET was for COFACE members only.\nThe last part of the meeting from 11.30-12.30 CET was a public online exchange open to all single parent family organisations in Europe. Download the leaflet about the public exchange.\n\n\nFurther reading\n2026 Research for EMPL Committee – Addressing EU demographic challenges: supporting large families and single parents | Think Tank | European Parliament – the executive summary is available in German\, Spanish\, French\, Italian and Polish \n2026 FAMS publishes new study on single-parent families affected by gender-based violence | COFACE Families Europe \n2026 Lunch as a ticket into the classroom: new survey in Czechia shows children risk social exclusion without shared school meals | COFACE Families Europe \n2025 Greater legal recognition for single parents in Macedonia | COFACE Families Europe \n2024 Inclusive support systems for single parents families: from Belgium to Hungary | COFACE Families Europe \n2023 Single Motherhood as a vulnerability factor: can you afford your relationship status? | COFACE Families Europe \n2022 Building effective policies to support single parenthood | COFACE Families Europe \n  \n___________________ \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language. Please know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints. It is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all. If you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form. \n  \n 
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/coface-working-group-on-single-parent-families/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260929T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260929T130000
DTSTAMP:20260826T154232Z
CREATED:20260724T082248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T154232Z
UID:27897-1790676000-1790686800@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:COFACE Webinar: The European Parliament\, families and communication - connecting the dots
DESCRIPTION:COFACE Communication Webinar\n29th September 2026\n10.00-13.00 CET \nOne of the roles of the COFACE Families Europe network is to build bridges between EU and national level actions\, to help support a cohesive and strong Europe. Policy experts typically try to relay this information through different channels (e.g. expert meetings\, webinars\, email updates). Communication professionals typically work closely with policy experts to translate this information into communication tools such as videos\, graphics and social media campaigns. \nThe European Parliament may seem like a complex EU entity far from families\, but it is actually directly elected by Europe’s citizens\, develops key reports (legally binding and non-binding) on funding and policies which directly impact families\, organises hearings which can be followed online\, and has direct links with national parliaments. \nCommunication professionals in European and national civil society are key in relaying this information to families\, namely as translators of EU complexity into accessible information for all and in multiple languages. \nThis webinar will aim to strengthen the capacity of COFACE communication professionals:\n• to understand the work of the European Parliament from a comms perspective\, and to identify communication moments in European Parliament activities;\n• to understand which comms tools and resources are already available to help explain\, translate\, and amplify the role of the European Parliament in advancing the social rights of families nationally;\n• to connect EU-level debates with families\, national campaigns and national parliamentary narratives. \nWith the help of speakers from the European Parliament\, we will look at different communication hooks and platforms including:\n1. European Parliament communication resources and tools\, including existing materials\, platforms and educational content that can be used to explain the work of the European Parliament to families and the wider public.\n2. Engagement opportunities with European Parliament Liaison Offices in the Member States\, and how national-level activities and outreach can support communication work (with examples from selected Member States).\n3. Working with Members of the European Parliament from a communication perspective\, focusing on public engagement\, messaging and relationship-building\, rather than policy-making processes. \nPractical note: The webinar will take place on zoom\, and the working language will be English. \nPlease note that this meeting is open to COFACE members only. \n  \nRegister for the webinar here
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/coface-webinar-the-european-parliament-families-and-communication-connecting-the-dots/
LOCATION:Online on Zoom
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261007T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261007T123000
DTSTAMP:20260903T141925Z
CREATED:20260605T123805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T141925Z
UID:27758-1791365400-1791376200@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:COFACE working group on migration
DESCRIPTION:COFACE working group on migration\n7 October 2026\n9.30-12.30 CET\nRegistrations open – click here to register\n\nWorking group meeting\nCOFACE Families Europe is hosting an online working group meeting on migration and families. \nThis will include representatives of migrant families as well as organisations supporting families in migration. \nIt will take place on Wednesday 7th October from 9.30-12.30 CET and will focus on EU developments related to migration and families\, on the work of COFACE members in different countries (with a spotlight on Finland and Germany)\, and also host a discussion on the realities of transnational families building on the results of the Trafady project. \nWorking language of the meeting: English. \nJoint statements co-signed by COFACE with European and international organisations\n2025 More than 200 Organisations: Inhumane Deportation Rules Should be Rejected\n2025 Three years since the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive: from emergency to longer-term solutions \n2023 NGOs mark one year since activation of the Temporary Protection Directive and call for continued support to refugees from Ukraine  \nFurther reading\n2026 Policy Brief on transnational family dynamics and the EU Pact on Migration & Asylum   | COFACE Families Europe\n2026 Rights of binational and bicultural families – open letter to Members of European Parliament | COFACE Families Europe\n2024 COFACE working group on transnational families | COFACE Families Europe\n2019 Building inclusive societies: Time for respect of human rights! | COFACE Families Europe \nSafe and inclusive activities in COFACE\nAs a European civil society network dedicated to the values of non-discrimination\, gender equality and equality and social inclusion\, COFACE and its representatives must practice its values within all operations and activities\, both internally within the secretariat and the network and externally when representing COFACE. In 2025\, COFACE Families Europe adopted a Common Reference Framework for safe an inclusive activities.  You can read it here in English and French\, and here in Easy-to-Read language. Please know that we provide a safe space for all types of families without discrimination\, and foster pluralistic discussions which acknowledge different viewpoints. It is important that all participants in COFACE activities fully respect these values\, acting respectfully\, and contributing to creating a safe space for all. If you wish to draw our attention to any difficult situations experienced during a COFACE activity\, please write to us using the complaints form.
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/coface-working-group-on-migration/
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261008T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261008T160000
DTSTAMP:20260911T104626Z
CREATED:20260706T085924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T104626Z
UID:27857-1791468000-1791475200@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:European Observatory on Family Policy:  Thematic Webinar
DESCRIPTION:Register here\n  \nThe Finnish Family centre model.\nEvaluating and replicating a European best practice in multi-agency prevention\nOctober 8\, 2026\, 14h00 – 16h00 \nThe European Observatory on Family Policy is a joint research programme of COFACE Families Europe and the Centre for Family Studies of ODISEE University of Applied Sciences launched in 2022. The Observatory aims to serve as a platform for the observation\, analysis\, and dissemination of evidence on family policy and other social concerns directly relevant to family well-being across the European Union. The Observatory is organising an interactive webinar to showcase the Finnish Family Centre model\, a European good practice in providing integrated\, holistic support for families. \n  \n___________________________________ \nFor over two decades\, Finland has been at the forefront of European efforts to coordinate and defragment family support services through a robust\, multi-agency network. Over this period\, the consolidation of a family centre (perhekeskus) infrastructure has come to represent a structural cornerstone of contemporary Finnish welfare. Currently\, nearly 200 family centres operate nationwide\, establishing a statutory framework for service integration targeted at families with children. Operating via physical\, digital\, and network-based modalities\, these multidisciplinary entities consolidate early intervention\, health promotion\, and rehabilitation services. Underpinned by well-developed practices of cross-sectoral professional collaboration\, the family centres’ primary objective is to mitigate social exclusion and reduce reliance on intensive interventions by offering targeted\, timely support that can simultaneously strengthen family resources and empower peer community networks. \nThis network is systematically complemented by over 500 low-threshold “open meeting places”. In these spaces\, professionals and volunteers collaboratively foster social inclusion\, community resilience\, and wellbeing for children and youth. The operational synergy between these two institutional pillars forms the foundation of the Finnish model. \nThe upcoming webinar\, hosted by the European Observatory on Family Policy\, offers national and local policymakers\, social policy researchers\, as well as practitioners and service providers\, a platform to learn about the architecture and implementation of this prominent European model of cross-sectoral collaboration. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with researchers and frontline practitioners to examine the mechanics of integrated service delivery in the context of the Finnish experience. \nThe event’s objectives are threefold: \n\nfirst\, to disseminate the core structural features of the Finnish Family Centre model;\nsecond\, to compare how decentralized governance impacts service delivery across various regional administrative units\, known as Welfare Counties\, and how that can be reconciled with national minimum thresholds;\nand finally\, to bridge the gap between policy and practice by connecting international participants directly with local family centre directors.\n\nTo address these objectives\, the programme is structured into two main sessions. The first part maps out the broader national framework and explores its translation and adaptation across different regional territories\, while the second part shifts focus towards “street-level” implementation\, offering an empirical look into the daily operations and service integration of local centres. The event will conclude with a forward-look to the Observatory’s forthcoming November publication\, Insights on Family Policy\, which is entirely dedicated to an account and analysis of the Finnish model. \nRegister here
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/european-observatory-on-family-policy-thematic-webinar/
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261104T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261104T110000
DTSTAMP:20260826T153902Z
CREATED:20260723T172156Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T153902Z
UID:27892-1793784600-1793790000@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:Breakfast Bytes Webinar: Women\, Care and Artificial Intelligence
DESCRIPTION:Women\, Care and Artificial Intelligence\nSave the date! \nDate: 4th November 9.30-11.00 CET \nSpeakers:\nCamila Rodrigues\, President of Mulheres a Obra\, Portugal\nValentina Disoska\, Association of Business Women in North Macedonia \nDescription:\nThis webinar will examine how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping care responsibilities\, gender equality and women’s participation in the labour market\, entrepreneurship and community life. It will use the experience of the Mulheres a Obra network a starting point: a Portuguese community and platform that supports female entrepreneurship\, and member of COFACE Families Europe. \nAs well as generally reflections on the impact of AI on women and care in Portugal\, and recommendations for gender-responsive AI policies at national and EU level\, practical examples will be used to illustrate the pros and cons of AI. \nAdditionally\, this webinar will dive into the learning from the Erasmus+ project Women Without Borders (WWB)  –  a European initiative bringing together organisations from Portugal and North Macedonia to empower women through digital skills\, entrepreneurship\, peer learning and international networking. The project aims to create inclusive learning spaces where women can strengthen their digital competences\, expand their professional networks and embrace new opportunities created by technological innovation. \nJoin us to learn more about the impact of AI on women and their caring roles\, and to share reflections from your different country perspectives! \nFurther information \nhttps://www.mulheresaobra.pt/\nWomen Without Borders | LinkedIn \n 
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/breakfast-bytes-webinar-women-care-and-artificial-intelligence/
LOCATION:Online on Zoom
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Bytes
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261118T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261118T163000
DTSTAMP:20260529T084707Z
CREATED:20260529T084707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T084707Z
UID:27723-1794992400-1795019400@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:Implementing the European Child Guarantee for Children with Disabilities
DESCRIPTION:Save the date! 18th November 2026\nThis European expert meeting on 18th November in Malta will bring together experts from the COFACE (Disability) network\, as well as key partners in academia and public policy\, to take stock of the measures taken to support children with disabilities in the framework of the European Child Guarantee and on how to address remaining gaps. \nIt will be a great opportunity to: \n\nAssess progress made for children with disabilities;\nCollect information on lived experiences of families across Europe;\nHighlight challenges or gaps in provision;\nPut forward policy and practice solutions for effective positive change for children with disabilities and their families.\n\nMore information about the programme and speakers will be coming soon!
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/implementing-the-european-child-guarantee-for-children-with-disabilities/
LOCATION:Valletta\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/European_childguarantee.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261119T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20261119T160000
DTSTAMP:20260723T095346Z
CREATED:20260526T091043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T095346Z
UID:27706-1795080600-1795104000@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:COFACE Disability annual platform meeting
DESCRIPTION:Save the date! 19th November 2026\nThe 2026 annual COFACE Disability platform meeting will take place in Malta on 19th November. \nThis year’s meeting will convene COFACE Disability members to explore the evolving needs of families with disabilities and to share best practices at local\, national\, and European levels. \nKey topics include: \n\nThe identification of challenges and gaps hindering the full implementation of the UNCRPD across Europe\, with a focus on the family dimension of the UNCRPD;\nA deep dive into the work of NPSPD in Malta\, with a focus on inclusive education and disability diversity;\nSpotlights on new member organisations of the COFACE Disability platform\nUpdates on national and EU-level developments will be presented\, focusing on the new EU Disability Strategy for 2026–2030
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/coface-disability-annual-platform-meeting-2/
LOCATION:Valletta\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Logo-COFACE-Disability-trasnparent.png
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