Berlin, June 26, 2025 : In view of the ongoing budget negotiations, a broad civil society alliance, including the Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association, is calling on the federal government to massively strengthen the social infrastructure for children and families with comprehensive structural reforms. “Investments in children and young people are investments in prosperity and democracy,” explains the Child Poverty Council, a coalition of 49 organizations and three academics, in a joint appeal. In Germany, social background and place of residence play a decisive role in determining opportunities for participation and future prospects. Families and children living in poverty are confronted with a variety of disadvantages. “However, the economy and society cannot develop their full potential if some children and young people are not given a real chance to develop,” explains the alliance.
Children and families living in poverty are particularly dependent on a functioning social infrastructure that compensates for inequalities and can set the course for a self-determined life without poverty. Low-threshold support, advice and leisure activities, remedial and language tuition, adequate childcare, access to public transport or proximity to a sports club – all of these opportunities can shape biographies. Currently, the social infrastructure in Germany does not meet these needs.
The list of problems is long and ranges from a lack of skilled workers to unreliable childcare times and dilapidated school toilets. The 49 organizations signing the appeal are therefore calling on the federal government to: “Take money into your hands in the area of social infrastructure so that children and young people are not robbed of their opportunities!” A wide range of measures are needed, including needs-based funding for early childhood education, more investment in the quality of daycare centers, budget funds for the fight against child poverty and a free lunch for disadvantaged children and young people in childcare and educational institutions.
The federal, state and local authorities must pull together and create additional financial leeway so that the social infrastructure can be massively strengthened. These investments for children and their families will pay off in the long term, as they will lead to less poverty, more growth and greater social cohesion.
You can find the text of the appeal here.
