Intergenerational Fairness

A younger and an eldery person are walking arm in arm

The concept of intergenerational fairness has once again gained attention in recent years, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing demographic change towards an ageing population and the increasingly tangible consequences of the climate crisis.

The issue has also come more into focus at EU level. In her political guidelines for 2024–2029, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared intergenerational fairness a priority. In 2024, she appointed, for the first time, a Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, who developed a corresponding strategy, which was published in March 2026.

This strategy aims to incorporate the interests and needs of future generations into today’s political decisions, thereby distributing opportunities and burdens equitably across the generations. As intergenerational justice encompasses social, political, economic and environmental aspects, it affects almost all policy areas and requires coordinated cross-departmental cooperation.

However, the call for the systematic integration of intergenerational fairness in the political process raises fundamental questions, such as who is entitled to represent the interests of future generations, and how future developments and needs can be anticipated and assessed, and which normative criteria should guide judgments about what constitutes a fair distribution of opportunities and burdens across generations.

Projects

Thinking about the day after tomorrow today: intergenerational fairness in the EU

Political decisions often have consequences that extend far beyond the present. They shape not only the living conditions of people today, but also those of future generations. The concept of intergenerational fairness therefore seeks to ensure that the interests and needs of both current and future generations are taken into account in political decision-making processes.

The Observatory’s dossier, to be published in December, explores the concept of intergenerational fairness in the European Union. It introduces the key principles, objectives, and policy instruments associated with intergenerationally just policymaking, while highlighting recent developments at the European level. The dossier is further enriched by contributions from external European stakeholders.

Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness

The first Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness was adopted by the EU Commission on March 5, 2026. It was developed through a multi-phase process involving the EU Policy Lab and a European Citizens’ Panel.

The strategy aims to establish intergenerational fairness as a guiding principle in policymaking, ensuring that current decisions always take into account the long-term consequences for all generations. This is intended to ensure a fair distribution of opportunities and burdens among all generations.
The focus issue of the EU-Monitoring examines the EU Commission's strategy on Intergenerational Fairness.

Please note that the focus issue of the EU-Monitoring is only published in German.