Across Europe, ageing populations, declining fertility rates, labour and skills shortages, migration dynamics and territorial inequalities are reshaping our societies.

In the context of the MERGE Horizon Europe project “Measuring what matters – policy pathways to sustainable and inclusive well-being”, this Policy Lab builds on the premise that demographic change is not only a demographic issue. It is also about wellbeing, opportunity, rights, and social and territorial cohesion.

Taking a rights-based and wellbeing-oriented approach, this Policy Lab will explore how family policies, housing, services, migration, skills, labour markets and territorial development can strengthen demographic resilience and create thriving communities across Europe and beyond.

It will bring together policymakers, civil servants, researchers and civil society representatives to discuss how housing, services and opportunities can support people in building the families and lives they value, including by enabling them to stay in their own communities, if they wish.

Participation is open to EPC members, EU institutions and media, with special focus on policymakers, civil servants, researchers and civil society organisations at national, regional and local levels.

For media enquiries, please contact media@epc.eu.

For other queries, please contact events@epc.eu.