Investment Case for Children in Brcko District

Highlights

Extensive research shows that the early years of a child’s life really matter. A vast body of evidence has emerged in recent years arguing that investments in early childhood have the greatest return of any human capital intervention. Longitudinal studies from a wide range of case studies show that children who participate in quality early childhood programmes experience multiple benefits, improved test scores and graduation rates, decreased social exclusion and multi-dimensional poverty, crime and delinquency rates, and improved long-term income.1 Importantly, investment in early childhood development (ECD) can drive progress within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and be central to meet basic child rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

In Brčko District (BD) the importance of ECD cannot be understated. BD is faced with an ageing and shrinking population, which presents a concerted threat to the district’s economic and social development.2 In 2020, around 3,565 children below the age of seven lived in BD, a figure set to decline to around 2,530 by 2050.3 ECD
is particularly important given this demographic context. With fewer children and limited resources, BD must cultivate a skilled, productive young work force in order to sustain and improve economic and social conditions. Over the past fifteen years, progress has been made towards a conducive policy environment for the ECD eco- system. This includes the Framework Law on Preschool Education and Upbringing (2007), the BD Law on Preschool Education and Care (2007), and the BD Law on Child Protection (2018).

However, there are clear untapped opportunities to invest in BD’s younger gener- ations. The conditions needed for the BD’s young children to survive, thrive, and meet their full potential are not in place. Inadequate and poor-quality investments in social sector services have created a situation where young children and their families do not have universal access to the quality health, education, and social protection services that they need. Budget allocations in ECD are either insufficient or challenging to monitor, and even in the case of adequate funding, the outcomes for children are below targets.These figures hide significant inequities in outcome between groups of young children, with Roma children, children with disabilities (CwD), children from rural or low-income backgrounds, and migrant/refugee chil- dren all facing additional challenges.