A holistic approach: how local and regional actors in different sectors can work together to tackle child poverty

Child poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon, which involves several aspects of the life of a child. Life chances are affected not only by parents’ financial poverty but also by factors such as poor housing conditions, social exclusion, low educational attainment and a lack of affordable health care services. To effectively tackle this multifaceted phenomenon, local authorities are obliged not only to improve their existing services but also to coordinate and integrate them more effectively.

An effective holistic approach is therefore key to ensure that all dimensions of child poverty are effectively addressed.

A conference and policy workshop was held on this theme in Amsterdam in June 2009.Here, the Network analysed common challenges faced by service providers and representatives of local and regional government and defined the best practices of local and regional actors who are effectively coordinating service providers from different sectors to address child poverty. More information can be foundsbout this conference in this policy bulletin.