This paper contains Lumos’ recommendations to the forthcoming Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Lumos welcomes the forthcoming Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU as an opportunity to build on the EU’s leading role in supporting vulnerable children and driving the transition from institutional to family- and community-based care to further drive care reform for children globally, which is needed now more than ever.

The priorities set by the trio of the Presidencies for the period 1 July 2020 – 31 December 2021 (Germany, Portugal and Slovenia) include a wide range of activities which could positively impact the EU’s role in promoting deinstitutionalisation around the world. Lumos calls on the Portuguese EU Presidency to make the best use of these opportunities and build on the momentum that has been created, including by the Romanian Presidency, which has kept deinstitutionalisation high on the EU political agenda.

In the wake of the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on the most vulnerable children, such as children in institutions and children deprived of parental care, becomes an even greater necessity. It is key that major steps undertaken by Member States and partner countries be supported strategically by the EU to avoid any risk of backtracking.