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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260127T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260127T130000
DTSTAMP:20260419T183414
CREATED:20251126T152342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T095626Z
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SUMMARY:COFACE Working group on work-life balance
DESCRIPTION:COFACE Working group on work-life balance\n27 January 2026 9.30-13.00 CET (online) \nBackground\nCOFACE is hosting an online working group meeting on work-life balance with members and partners to discuss key topics such as adequately paid leaves\, take up of leaves by men and the childcare gap. \nThe childcare gap remains one of the most pressing challenges facing new parents across Europe today. This gap arises following the birth of a child\, when well-paid parental leave has been exhausted\, but access to state-supported full-time Early Childhood Education and Care is not yet available. During this period\, families often struggle to balance care responsibilities and employment. This shows the shortcomings of existing work–life balance policies. \nAccording to the find hand and European Equality Legal Network\, gaps in the transposition of the EU Work-life Balance Directive persist—particularly in ensuring adequate compensation for parental leave and encouraging greater uptake of family leaves by fathers. These shortcomings often rooted in gender inequalities such as the gender pay gap\, further deepen the childcare gap. Strengthening the effective implementation of the WLB Directive\, especially by improving parental leave compensation and promoting equal sharing of caregiving responsibilities\, is therefore essential to closing the childcare gap and supporting parents more effectively in the early years of their child’s life. \nAim of the working group meeting\n\nTake stock of latest trends on work-life balance policies across the EU with a focus on the adequacy of leave payments and the take-up of parental and family leaves by men.\nDiscuss the current state of play regarding the transposition and implementation of the EU Work-life Balance Directive in Member States.\nExamine childcare the gap\, and explore how to bridge this period\nIdentify and discuss potential flagship initiatives and best practices that could help close this gap.\nAssess recent research findings and policy developments that can enhance future action.\n\nRead the full meeting report here\nResources\nPresentations: \n\nWillem Adema (OECD)\nVytautas Peciukonis (EIGE)\nKarolina Andrian (ShareTheCare)\nMartino Serapioni (COFACE)\nIvana Dobrotic (University of Zagreb)\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.\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. 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-work-life-balance-2/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/logo-coface-families-europe-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260203T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260203T170000
DTSTAMP:20260419T183414
CREATED:20260119T114234Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T142051Z
UID:26769-1770109200-1770138000@coface-eu.org
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/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/P2iconference.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260303T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260303T110000
DTSTAMP:20260419T183414
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/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Breakfast-Bytes.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Athens:20260317T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Athens:20260317T170000
DTSTAMP:20260419T183414
CREATED:20251107T162933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T143451Z
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 will convene 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 aim 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 will aim to highlight the state of play of artificial intelligence today\, while also looking towards the future and its impact on families. \nKey areas to be 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 will identify the challenges for families of today and consider 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.\nWorking languages: English and Greek. \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\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/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/conference_visual-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260326T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260326T130000
DTSTAMP:20260419T183414
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260519T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260519T130000
DTSTAMP:20260419T183414
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/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/semester.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260624T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260624T110000
DTSTAMP:20260419T183414
CREATED:20260306T132229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T134653Z
UID:27133-1782293400-1782298800@coface-eu.org
SUMMARY:Choosing inclusive education pathways for your child: communication and empowerment tools for parents and carers
DESCRIPTION:Register here for our next breakfast byte webinar\n\nDate: 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 will 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 will also invite 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. \nJoin us to gain practical knowledge about inclusive education pathways\, to bring your recommendations to the discussion\, and help us build partnerships to make inclusive education a reality in Europe! \nFurther information \nhttps://oudersvoorinclusie.be/\nhttps://zozitikinelkaar.be/\nhttps://www.european-agency.org/ \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  \nRegister to the webinar here
URL:https://coface-eu.org/event/choosing-inclusive-education-pathways-for-your-child-communication-and-empowerment-tools-for-parents-and-carers/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://coface-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Breakfast-Bytes.png
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