Background and justification
Save the Children’s bi-annual child poverty report serves as a key advocacy and policy tool, positioning the eradication of child poverty as a priority on the EU political agenda, reinforcing Save the Children’s position in the field, and providing crucial data to influence EU and national policies. The last editions were published in 2021 and 2023, while the next one is scheduled for launch in October 2025.
Child poverty is a pervasive crisis. It affects all European countries, with about 20 million children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU alone. It also affects every aspect of a child’s life, from material conditions to education and personal development. The issue is then exacerbated by economic strains from the pandemic, cost-of-living crisis, and climate change, which deepen poverty and affect Europe’s social and economic fabric. In other words, child poverty hinders the long-term development and success of the European project.
The ongoing deprivation experienced by children results in societal costs that amount to 3.4% of GDP annually and perpetuates disadvantage across generations. Tackling child poverty must be a priority for EU policymakers. Given the damage that poverty does to children’s lives, our society, the economy and the environmental sustainability, it is hard to imagine an objective more urgent or worthwhile pursuing.
Child poverty is both preventable and politically driven. The European Child Guarantee and recent EU and national advancements showcase a commitment for action, but real impact depends on rigorous implementation, adequate funds, and meaningful engagement with children and CSOs. Strengthening the European Child Guarantee, setting up an ambitious EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and ensuring robust national frameworks will be fundamental for addressing the root causes of child poverty and achieving tangible outcomes in children’s lives.
Goals
The report represents a key opportunity to:

1. Strengthen policymaker knowledge on the issue, highlighting the intergenerational impact that poverty and social exclusion have on children and the EU social fabric; the economic benefits of investing in children; and the urgency to prioritise this topic.
2. Provide a robust analysis and data on the state of child poverty and social exclusion in Europe with a marked focus on the framework offered by the European Child Guarantee.
3. Connect our work with the EU social agenda and broader but key policy frameworks (such as the EU Anti-Poverty strategy and Affordable Housing Plan) building a series of biennial analyses of child poverty in Europe that will be then used to influence the long-term development of the EU and national policies for children.

Draft Structure of the report

Chapter
Sub-Chapter
Content

Foreword

Executive Summary

Chapters summary, conclusions, recommendations

State of Child Poverty in Europe
Introduction
Child poverty as pervasive, a priority, and preventable (mirroring Save the Children narrative)

Defining Child Poverty

How poverty affects children and our society
Children in vulnerable situations
Common challenges

Tackling child Poverty
Brief legal background (UNCRC, EU law)
Good practices
The economic return of social investments
MFF and funding
Spotlight on enlargement countries

Child Guarantee

Why it is crucial
Good practices
Main challenges and gaps
Recommendations

Country Pages

Conclusions

Purpose of the Consultancy
The consultant will draft the Child Poverty Report under the supervision of Enrico Tormen (Advocacy Advisor – Save the Children Europe) and with the ad-hoc assistance of a research group composed of colleagues from Save the Children Romania, Spain, and Italy.
The report will be based on both qualitative and quantitative data collected through various methods. The members of Save the Children’s Child Poverty Reference Group (CPRG – group of Save the Children expert on child poverty working throughout Europe and coordinated by Enrico Tormen), will provide qualitative data and relevant statistics from the national level by responding to a questionnaire composed by the research group. At the same time, the consultant will focus on identifying quantitative comparable and common data, such as Eurostat and OECD data. The research group will provide guidance on the data that should be gathered and – if needed and possible – provide ad hoc support.
In a second phase, under coordination of Enrico Tormen and the ad-hoc support of the research group, the consultant will draft the report by compiling the information independently collected, the data provided by the CPRG through the questionnaire, and any possible additional information received by the research group.
Finally, in coordination with Enrico Tormen, the consultant will cover the finalisation of the report by taking into consideration the feedback and comments of CPRG and research group.
The consultant will begin by conducting specific quantitative data research in March and April, then focus on drafting the report in May, and support its finalisation it in June and July.
The consultant will be reporting to Enrico Tormen.

Major duties and responsibilities for the consultant focusing on the preparation of the report
For the development of the Children’s Report, the consultant will:

• Quantitative data research and analysis: Conduct research and original data processing on specific quantitative data on the issues covered by the report.
• Desk review and analysis of existing data: Review and analyse qualitative and quantitative data compiled by the CPRG, research group, and other relevant sources.
• Drafting the report: Under the supervision of Enrico Tormen and the ad-hoc support of the research group, synthesize the collected data and insights into a draft report based on the agreed structure, highlighting key issues and recommendations on child poverty in the European context. The report will also include concise country pages summarising the main information collected from each country.
• Finalise the report: Under the supervision of Enrico Tormen, make final adjustments to the report based on feedback, ensuring the document is polished, aligned with Save the Children’s objectives, and ready for publication.

Expected results and deliverables
The consultancy is proposed for a total period of 25 days and includes the following expected results:

Deliverables
Expected Result
Deadlines

Independent data Research and Analysis
Robust, evidence-based data that supports the report’s analysis and helps identify trends in addressing child poverty across EU member states.
March – April 2025

Draft Report
Draft a comprehensive draft of the Child Poverty Report (max 100 pages), synthesizing all collected data and insights. The draft will include an analysis of child poverty in Europe with a focus on the European Child Guarantee framework and recommendations for addressing the issue. The document will also include brief country pages.
May 2025

Final Report
A finalized, polished version of the report, incorporating feedback from the CPRG, research group, and ECAB consultations.
June – July 2025

Payments
Payment will be made in two instalments: 30% upon signing of the contract and the remaining amount upon submission of all deliverables and certification that the services have been satisfactorily performed/delivered.
Selection of Consultants
The selection of the consultant will involve a 10-day open call from the 10th to the 20th of March within Save the Children to assess if any internal colleagues are available and have the relevant expertise to work on the Child Poverty Report. The call will also be shared externally, but priority will be given to colleagues working within Save the Children.
If no suitable candidates are found within Save the Children, the selection will focus on the external consultants’ roster established by Save the Children or from similar previous experiences with national or European offices.
Awarding the contract will be based on the best combination of expertise and price, ensuring that the chosen consultant meets the required qualifications and experience while providing the most efficient and cost-effective solution for the report’s development.
Interested candidates can apply by submitting a copy of their CV along with a cover letter detailing their relevant expertise. All applications will be screened by the hiring team upon closure of the advert, and suitable candidates will be invited to submit their technical and financial proposals.

Required credential and experience of an individual consultant:

• Advanced university degree or PhD in social sciences, political science, public policy with advanced knowledge and experience in social assistance and social protection, child rights and protection.
• Experience of drafting user-friendly knowledge products such as research papers, toolkits, guides, methodologies, analytical documents, policy papers and comparative studies in particular by merging different inputs from several countries.
• Knowledge of child rights policy framework.
• Ability to work with quantitative data, including identifying, collecting, and analysing statistics and integrating these findings in the report.
• Ability to analyse and write analytical documents.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Fluency in English.
• Availability to work within the proposed time frame.