The Amsterdam Message (2025): Young Carers Call for Recognition, Support and Action
In November 2025, members of the European Young Carers Working Group (EYCWG) met in Amsterdam to share their experiences and agree on a common message to EU institutions and national governments. The result is the Amsterdam Message (2025): Young Carers Call for Recognition, Support and Action — a clear and urgent call for recognition, rights and meaningful inclusion of Young Carers across Europe.
Young Carers exist in every EU Member State, yet many remain invisible in schools, healthcare and social services. As highlighted in the Message, without recognition, their rights and needs go unnoticed. Young Carers also face multiple layers of disadvantage linked to poverty, disability, rural isolation, language barriers or gender inequalities
Through the Amsterdam Message, Young Carers call for:
- Clear definitions and formal recognition in EU and national frameworks
- Mandatory training for professionals in education, health and social care
- Dedicated support in schools, including designated Young Carer Champions
- Accessible mental health support and regular breaks from caring
- Better data collection and accountability mechanisms
- Structured and meaningful participation in decisions that affect them
At its core, the Message is a youth-led contribution to policy discussions and placing lived experience at the centre of EU action. The final call from Amsterdam is simple and powerful:
Recognise us. Support us. Include us. Act now.
The Amsterdam Message is signed by the European Young Carers Working Group (EYCWG), coordinated by Eurocarers. It has now been formally shared with EU policymakers responsible for children’s rights, social policy, education, health and care, ensuring that the voices of Young Carers are directly heard at decision-making level.
We invite our members and partners to read, share and amplify the Message, and to help ensure that Young Carers’ voices translate into concrete policy change across Europe.
