Investing in the quality of the system for better care for children
Project Support for the Implementation of the National Action Plan to Implement the EU Council's Recommendations on Establishing the European Child Guarantee in Croatia
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Zagreb, February 2025 – To develop and harmonize a high-quality system for policy development for children at risk of poverty and social exclusion, the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy has initiated a project titled: "Strengthening the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the National Action Plan to Implement the EU Council's Recommendations on Establishing the European Child Guarantee."
The project includes the development of a system for monitoring and evaluating measures and the improvement of the capacities of national and local institutions. The initiative is part of a multinational project supported by the European Union's Technical Support Instrument (TSI), whose activities will be implemented by the UNICEF Office in Croatia, in cooperation with the European Commission, Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support.
"The Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, through the implementation of this project from the Technical Support Instrument, ensures, among other things, better coordination and integration of social services, education, and health care, with the aim that children from vulnerable groups receive equal access to key services. This systematic, data-based approach will enable the alignment and improvement of policies for children, providing children at risk of poverty with better conditions for development and future success in life," said Margareta Mađerić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy.
This project grew out of the successful pilot implementation of the programme "Phase III: Testing the Child Guarantee in Croatia," funded by the European Union. Through this pilot in Međimurje County, access to comprehensive protection services was improved through the empowerment of parents and guardians, more accessible early childhood intervention services, and learning through play. UNICEF implemented this pilot program with 12 implementing partners, seven local self-government units, Međimurje County, and the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
The goal of the European Child Guarantee is to combat child poverty and social exclusion by guaranteeing that every child will have access to early childhood education and care, free education, which includes school activities and at least one healthy meal at school, free health care, as well as access to social services and adequate housing.
"We are grateful to our partners who have shown great enthusiasm and worked devotedly towards the common goal – ensuring equal opportunities for every child, regardless of who they are and where they live. The experiences from the pilot implementation of the program 'Phase III: Testing the Child Guarantee in Croatia' have been recognized at the national and European level as an example of quality intersectoral cooperation that has ensured successful results for the well-being of children and their families. With the aim of sustainability of results and expansion of activities, the National Action Plan has created a good foundation for expanding services for the most vulnerable children across Croatia", said Ilija Talev, Deputy Representative of the UNICEF Office for Croatia.
The objectives of the project "Strengthening the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the National Action Plan to Implement the EU Council's Recommendations on Establishing the European Child Guarantee" are:
- Strengthening the capacities of professionals from the social welfare, education, and health care systems, as well as in Croatian counties.
- Developing a framework for monitoring measures, including methodological guidelines.
- A pilot project for a web platform for data monitoring.
- A tool for analyzing "hidden costs" in education and health care for children.
"Along with higher-quality implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of measures from the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Council of the EU Recommendation on Establishing the European Child Guarantee, the project also aims for systematic work on improving intersectoral cooperation and policies aimed at alleviating child poverty and social exclusion. Therefore, among other things, the capacities of professionals from all relevant systems will be strengthened, especially the systems of social welfare, education, and health care, along with strengthening the capacities of professionals in Croatian counties", emphasized Tatjana Katkić Stanić, Director at the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy and National Coordinator for the Implementation of the National Action Plan.
The total value of the project is 551.613 EUR, and the expected duration of the project is 24 months.
This page was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
This page was published with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
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