The rEUsilience project, a 3-year project examining socio-economic insecurity from a family rather than individual perspective, has developed policy recommendations to help families deal with difficult and sometimes unexpected circumstances that threaten their resilience.
Funded by Horizon Europe and UKRI and co-led by Professor Mary Daly, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention, the research documented the lived experiences of 300 families across six countries and involved multiple European and national experts and institutions.
“A resilient Europe starts with resilient families,” commented Professor Daly. “We are urging policymakers to improve support for families and develop family-centred policies which tackle the root causes of child poverty and heavy caring and work demands on families. The policy principles we have identified are practical, evidence-based, and will ensure that families have the necessary support.”
Research recommendations
The research recommends that if governments want resilient families they should have policies that aim to:
- Provide better income support for families with children, especially those with limited resources
- Close the childcare gap
- Establish a comprehensive set of family support services.
To achieve these aims, the research outlines 15 policy principles to act as a guide to reshape policy and, consequently, strengthen family resilience and reduce child poverty. The principles emphasise coverage (universal access), adequacy (sufficient support), and inclusion (recognising additional need) and the removal of gaps.
Principles for better income support for families with children:
- Child-related income support to be available to all families with children
- Child-related income support to provide an adequate level of support
- Child-related income support to recognise the additional needs of some families
- Recognition of extra costs during family transitions.
Principles for closing the childcare gap:
- Universal paid statutory leave for all parents
- Well-paid leave for all parenting-related leaves
- Equality among families, especially by recognising additional needs
- Gender equality as a core principle of parental leave
- Universal right to Early Childhood Education Care (ECEC) for all children
- No gap between the end of well-paid, parental leave and the start of ECEC
- Support for families with additional ECEC needs
- Flexibility in ECEC provision.
Principles for putting in place comprehensive family support services:
- Universal access to family support services, from general to highly-specialised support
- A national-level framework for family support services with local-level delivery
- A holistic, family-centred approach to support services.
The rEUsilience project was identified by the European Commission as a success story, acknowledging its significant contribution to building a stronger and more resilient Europe. In June 2025, researchers presented their findings at conference in Brussels, attended by EU policymakers, government ministries, civil society organisations, grassroots family organisations, and researchers from across Europe and beyond.
Find out more about the rEUsilience project:
