This report presents findings from the fourth consultation with children conducted for the EU Children’s Participation Platform. It has the following structure:

■ Section 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 report on the consultation findings;

■ Section 7 reports on the collated key recommendations from children;

■ Annex 1 presents the consultation methodology, the characteristics of children participating in the consultation activities, and children’s feedback.

Consultation theme, policy context, and aims and objectives

This fourth consultation of the EU Children’s Participation Platform focused on reviewing the progress made in the implementation of the European Child Guarantee (ECG). Children taking part in the EU Children’s Participation Platform activities in 2023 and 2024 asked that the Platform focus on child poverty. The consultation provides insights from children and teenagers on how to strengthen access to education, healthcare, housing services and healthy food, and how to support inclusion. The consultation results help the EU to better understand what works in the provision of and access to these key services, the challenges and barriers that children face, and show what changes and actions are needed at both EU and national level to improve access to services and provision to better support children.