International activity
KINCS is a publicly-financed think tank, regularly conducting surveys to assess how Hungarians view family policy and to analyse the broader landscape of Hungarian pro-family measures. Given the growing international interest in Hungary's approach to supporting families, it is a key responsibility of KINCS to present these policies to the global audience in a clear and comprehensive manner. Through its research, publications, and international engagements, the Institute plays a vital role in shaping the international perception of Hungarian family policy. It actively contributes to presenting Hungarian family policy tools and results at international conferences, panel discussions, and expert meetings. As a think tank, its mission includes developing evidence-based policy recommendations and contributing to long-term demographic and social strategies.
In addition to promoting Hungarian family policy abroad, the International Bureau of KINCS also monitors global developments in the field of family policy. This includes monitoring international trends, analyzing the family policy systems of third countries, and keeping pace of relevant news and policy changes worldwide. These insights are systematically analyzed and fed back to Hungarian decision-makers, ensuring that domestic policy remains informed by the most up-to-date international context and best practices.
The Institute also welcomes research fellows, professionals of international organisations as the World Bank or the OECD and international delegations interested in family and demographic policy, both from Europe and overseas.
So far the Institute has established four cross-border strategic partnerships: the Polish Institute for Family and Society Studies Foundation, the International University of Catalonia (UIC Barcelona), the Croatian Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences and the Family Institute of the Republic of Türkiye. These collaborations are further strengthened within the framework of the Executive Network for Family Values, launched by KINCS in 2019, which brings together pro-family organisations and decision makers annually to promote shared goals and exchange best practices. KINCS has lively contacts with several dozens of organisations and professionals from more than 20 countries on 3 continents.
2024 has been a special year from the point of view of European policy activity of the Institute, as during the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a number of relevant volumes have been published, along with promising results. In October 2024, the European Committee of the Regions adopted an opinion on the European Commission’s communication “Demographic change in Europe: A toolbox for action.” with Strategic Vice President Dr. Árpád József Mészáros as an advisor. Also in 2024, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an exploratory opinion titled “Ensuring needs-based work-life balance for all,” commissioned by the Hungarian EU Presidency. The rapporteur, EESC member Kinga Joó, worked closely with Kriszta Kállay-Kisbán, Head of the International Bureau, who supported the drafting process as an advisor. KINCS gives one of the members of the Harnessing Talent Platform of the European Commission, contributing to discussions on how to retain talent and strengthen regional competitiveness. KINCS has also participated at the 2025 opening event of the European Parliament’ Demographic Intergroup, where the aim was to introduce the objectives and planned activities of the Intergroup, as well as to discuss key demographic challenges.
KINCS organized an International Scientific Symposium in 2024 focusing on promoting the labour market participation of parents with young children, bringing together experts from various EU member states to discuss employment and family support measures. The symposium also served for the publishing of the KINCS volume entitled “Promoting the labour market participation of parents with young children across the EU”.
After the 2019 "European Family Policy Outlook", KINCS published a new volume in 2024 providing a comprehensive overview of demography and family policies in the EU Member States: "European Union Family Policy Outlook 2024".
