European Union
Although family-policies are a national competence and greatly vary across the 27 EU Member-States, the European Union can play an important role in promoting family-friendly policies. FAFCE supports in this direction the daily work of the different EU bodies:
- European Parliament: composed of representatives directly elected by the EU citizens, it participates to produce the EU legislation with the European Council and the European Commission.
- European Council: composed of the EU heads of state or governments, it defines the EU’s political directions and priorities.
- European Commission: composed of designated Commissioners led by a President, it is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
- Council of the European Union: composed of Ministers from each Member-States, it meets regularly to discuss specific points on the EU legislation and coordinate EU policies.
- Economic and Social European Committee: composed of representatives of civil society (workers’ and employers’ organisation, interest groups, etc.), this EU advisory body issues opinions on EU issues.
- Committee of the Regions: composed of locally and regionally elected representatives, this EU advisory body produces opinions on EU legislation that directly impact regions and cities.
Intergenerational Fairness Strategy acknowledges FAFCE idea of a Demographic Forum
Brussels, 11 March 2026 After many months of consultation of civil society, the European Commission presented its first "Intergenerational Fairness Strategy" (see full text on the link) on Thursday 5 March 2026 in Brussels. Since its inception of office
European Day for a work-free Sunday: Joint statement of the European Sunday Alliance
Brussels, 3rd of March 2026 On the occasion of the 3rd of March, the European day for a work free Sunday, FAFCE joins the European Sunday Alliance (ESA) in a campaign to promote the unique value of synchronised
FAFCE Statement on the European Commission’s support to abortion tourism
Brussels, 27 February 2026 “Believing that an ideology can be imposed from above is an approach that openly conflicts with the principle of subsidiarity, the foundation of the European legal system. The initiative "My Voice My Choice" is, in
FAFCE meets the Croatian Minister of Family
Brussels, Tuesday 24 February FAFCE met with the Croatian Minister for Demography and Immigration, Mr Ivan Šipić, today in Brussels. FAFCE was represented by Matthieu Bruynssels as Advocacy Director for the European Union, and by Teresa Gerns as Advocacy
International Day of Education 2026
Brussels, 11 February 2026 On Wednesday 11 February, the European Parliament have debated on the question of Education. The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe takes the opportunity to reaffirm the importance of education, both for children and
FAFCE needs your support !
A message from Vincenzo Bassi, President of FAFCE : Monday, 8th of December 2025 As the Year 2025 is coming to an end, I need to share with you the difficult times that the Federation of Catholic Family Associations
Cross-partisan support to ban surrogacy
Brussels, 25 November 2025 A conference on surrogacy, organised by the ECR group at the European Parliament, took place on Wednesday 19 November. One year after the decision of the Italian government to forbid reproductive exploitation of women, this
The European Parliament condems surrogacy in Gender Equality Strategy 2025
Brussels, 14 November 2025 On Thursday 13 November 2025, in the resolution "Gender Equality Strategy", the European Parliament clearly expressed its view that it : "Condemns the practice of surrogacy, which involves the reproductive exploitation and use of women's
CONFERENCE INVITATION I Exchange on the Demographic Challenges
The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe is delighted to invite you to the Exchange on Demographic Challenges between FAFCE Board Members and Members of the European Parliament, on the 4th of November at 16:00 in room SPINELLI 1H1
Cohesion or Exclusion? Europe and the Demographic Challenge of Rural Areas
Brussels, 22 October 2025 Supporting families is not directly a European competence, but the EU can still act through cohesion policy, i.e., European aid to less-developed regions. The Cohesion Policy is the only European funding program that includes demographics
