Dispatches #8: An Intro to Intergenerational Fairness in #Europe: The Imperative, the Journey, & the Opportunity

A brief introduction to why the EU is looking at intergenerational fairness, why now, and what it could prioritise. Intended as an entry point into the subject, it signposts you to other resources

As Europe grapples with economic uncertainty, democratic erosion, and environmental crises, the concept of intergenerational fairness (IGF) has emerged not just as a moral imperative, but as a strategic necessity. In a recent presentation to European policymakers and foresight professionals, I set out a three-part argument that outlines why IGF matters now, how we’ve reached a tipping point in European policymaking, and what must come next.

1. Getting Under the Skin of Why Intergenerational Fairness Is an Issue Now

The growing resonance of intergenerational fairness reflects a deeper systemic malaise across European societies. It's not just about whether young people can afford a house or retire comfortably. It's about a sense of betrayal—where younger generations are inheriting degraded ecosystems, fragile institutions, rising debt, and fewer opportunities. But it’s also about future generations—those not yet born—who will live with the long-term consequences of today’s decisions.

At its core, the intergenerational fairness debate is about the distribution of power and responsibility across time. Are current political and economic systems structurally biased towards the present? Yes. The short-termism embedded in our policymaking cycles, the electoral calendar, quarterly growth figures, and reactive crisis management all make it difficult to prioritise the long term. Climate change, demographic transitions, digital regulation, and pension system pressures are all symptoms of a deeper failure to think and act across generations.

This erosion of trust between generations is not just a fairness issue—it’s a legitimacy crisis. If democratic systems cannot deliver justice not just for today’s voters, but for tomorrow’s citizens, their long-term sustainability is in jeopardy. What we see across the EU is a generational disconnect. There’s a paradox: younger generations are more educated, connected, and aware, yet they are increasingly disillusioned with politics and disengaged from formal institutions. Intergenerational fairness is a way to rebuild that bridge—creating mechanisms that allow younger and future generations to be seen, heard, and considered in governance.

2. The Lead-Up to EU Adoption of Intergenerational Fairness Measures

So how did we get to this moment where the EU is seriously considering action on IGF?

For the past decade, there’s been growing momentum, both within and outside EU institutions. Civil society organisations, think tanks, foresight communities, and youth movements have raised the alarm. They’ve made visible the costs of short-termism, and the ways that current policy frameworks fail to account for the long term. Meanwhile, national-level innovations—such as future generations commissioners in Wales and Hungary, or long-term foresight institutions in Finland—have provided proof points that alternative models are possible.

Inside the EU system, the turning point arguably came with the embedding of foresight within the European Commission under President von der Leyen. The European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS) and the annual Strategic Foresight Reports signalled a growing willingness to take the long view. These developments laid the groundwork for the inclusion of IGF concepts into policy debates and paved the way for formal proposals.

A particularly important milestone was the 2024 Declaration on Future Generations signed at the UN, which provided a global reference point and moral authority for national and regional commitments. This created a window of opportunity for EU institutions and Member States to align their long-term planning and policymaking with intergenerational principles. Discussions intensified within the European Parliament and among national delegations. The growing climate urgency, coupled with fiscal pressures from demographic change and youth unemployment, catalysed interest in more systemic responses.

Crucially, the narrative began to shift. It was no longer about protecting young people from harm; it was about investing in shared futures. Intergenerational fairness became a bridge—linking sustainability, wellbeing, democratic resilience, and inclusive growth. It also offered a new framework for solidarity—not just between regions and social groups, but between the past, present, and future.

3. Addressing the Opportunity and Imperative of the Moment

We now stand at a critical inflection point. The EU has the opportunity to take decisive action—to move beyond rhetoric and adopt concrete mechanisms to embed IGF in its institutions and policy frameworks.

This matters for several reasons. First, it is a chance to structurally embed long-term thinking. This means not just better foresight processes, but institutional accountability: IGF assessments, intergenerational audit tools, citizen participation mechanisms, and formal bodies representing the interests of future generations.

Second, it’s a strategic response to the fragmentation we’re seeing within and between Member States. Populist movements often tap into intergenerational anxiety, pitching older voters’ security against younger people’s prospects. IGF provides a shared frame for unity, justice, and renewal. It’s a way to define a common purpose: to ensure each generation can thrive without compromising the next.

Third, we’re entering a new geopolitical reality. February 2025 marked a strategic rupture with the US pulling back from European security guarantees. The implications for EU defence, energy resilience, and democratic stability are profound. In this context, intergenerational fairness becomes not just a policy lens, but a security asset. Institutions that are trusted across generations are more resilient. Societies that invest in young people’s capabilities and foster long-term cohesion are better prepared for shocks.

So what should happen next?

1. The EU should adopt a formal framework for intergenerational fairness, building on existing foresight work into the IGF strategy. This could include an EU-level Future Generations Representative, mandatory IGF impact assessments for major policy proposals, and integrating IGF into the European Semester process. By the end of the Commission in 2029, there needs to be demonstrable interventions on key policy areas from housing, to infrastructure, climate transitions, governing technology.

2. Member States should be supported to experiment and scale national-level IGF mechanisms, learning from existing innovations and building coalitions of practice across governments, civil society, and youth movements.

3. New participatory approaches—like youth assemblies, intergenerational dialogues, and citizens’ panels—should be embedded into policymaking at all levels. These are not just democratic novelties—they are vital means of capturing diverse time perspectives and ensuring inclusive legitimacy.

4. There should be investment in long-term capabilities across institutions: from foresight and systems thinking to intergenerational policy design, supported by training, networks, and shared metrics.

Finally, there needs to be a narrative shift—one that reframes intergenerational fairness not as a zero-sum game but as a positive-sum project. One that says: we are not trapped by the short term. We are capable of shaping policy today that will stand the test of time. And by doing so, we honour the sacrifices of the past and uphold our duty to those yet to come.

The EU has often been at its best when it leads with principle and pragmatism. Intergenerational fairness offers a way to do both—to tackle today’s crises while safeguarding tomorrow’s possibilities. Let’s not miss this moment.

What can you do?

• Read why Intergenerational social cohesion is a strategic foundation for a powerful EU future - to explore what a high ambition EU IGF Strategy can look like

• Look at the pragmatic proposals in our paper here: Advancing Long-Term Governance and Intergenerational Fairness in the European Union: Global Insights and Recommendations for Effective Action

• Join the #Pledge and #Pioneers communities of early adopters around the world building future generations in their countries - contact claudette@soif.org.uk

• If you are in Brussels, join us for various events on the 7-8th July 2025