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Germany's child welfare crisis demands urgent policy and funding reforms

A child's future in Germany still hinges on their zip code. Now, advocates are fighting to rewrite the rules—before poverty defines another generation.

The image shows a poster with text and a picture of a group of people. The text reads "If passed,...
The image shows a poster with text and a picture of a group of people. The text reads "If passed, the American Rescue Plan would cut childhood poverty in half," indicating that the poster is advocating for the need to reduce the amount of children living in poverty in the United States. The picture of the people in the picture is likely meant to represent the importance of the plan and its implications.

Children's Aid Charity Demands More Funding in Fight Against Child Poverty - Germany's child welfare crisis demands urgent policy and funding reforms

Germany's National Association for Child Welfare has demanded urgent action to tackle child poverty. The group describes the issue as a deep-rooted structural problem rather than a personal failing. Official figures for 2023 remain unclear, but projections for 2025 suggest 13.3 million people—16.1% of the population—could face poverty risks.

The association stressed that a child's future opportunities depend heavily on their social background and where they live. Unequal access to resources, it argues, limits participation and life chances from an early age.

To address the crisis, the organisation has called for major reforms and increased money. It wants more investment in public infrastructure, education, and media literacy programmes. Additional financial support for anti-poverty measures is also seen as critical.

The group is pushing for greater cooperation between federal, state, and local governments. More financial flexibility, it says, would help reduce child poverty more effectively. Children and young people themselves, the association insists, must play a direct role in shaping these efforts.

The call for action comes as concerns grow over rising poverty risks in the coming years. While exact 2023 data is missing, the association's demands highlight the need for systemic change. Without coordinated funding and policy shifts, they warn, inequality will continue to shape children's futures.

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