Europe and Central Asia

In order to understand the status and functionality of EMIS and help policymakers and education authorities improve the effectiveness of EMIS, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO), with the support of UNICEF Country Offices, launched a regional survey of EMIS in 2022.  Responses were received from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria,…

Geneva, Brussels, Copenhagen, 24 April 2023 – Following three years with COVID-19, we are transitioning into a new normal and building on many lessons learned to create resilient health systems and stronger outbreak preparedness. Among these lessons is the powerful strength of collaboration, without which we cannot equitably reach everyone with…

For every child, vaccination, For every child, vaccination, Immunization is one of humanity’s most remarkable success stories. It has saved countless lives. Many more lives will be saved if the goals of the Immunization Agenda 2030 are achieved. This global strategy aims for a world where “everyone, everywhere, at every age, fully benefits from vaccines for good health and well-being”. Immunization allows…, Immunization coverage in Europe and Central Asia, Europe and Central Asia has the highest immunization coverage rates in the world. However, the pandemic set back immunization coverage. Between 2019 and 2021, the coverage of DTP and measles vaccines dropped. This led to an increase in the number of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children. SOWC 2023 Figure 1.1 Source: World Health Organization and…, Box 1. Understanding zero-dose, ‘Zero-dose’ and ‘under-vaccinated’ have become key concepts in explaining immunization coverage, in aligning global efforts to improve vaccine coverage, and for monitoring success. What do they mean? Zero-dose refers to children who have not received any vaccinations. Most live in communities that experience multiple deprivations. Under-vaccinated…, Case Study 1: Kyrgyzstan, Social influence: Faith leaders, volunteers and health-care workers build vaccine confidence in rural areas Though her daughter, Aila, was first vaccinated shortly after birth, Meerim Omurkanova hesitated when it was time for follow-up immunizations. “I read on the internet that vaccinations could cause cerebral palsy and autism,” Omurkanova said…, Who is missing out on vaccines?, An analysis for The State of the World’s Children 2023 shows some of the socioeconomic determinants associated with immunization. 2 The numbers make the connection between children who miss out on vaccination and inequity. By global standards, Europe and Central Asia has low zero-dose prevalence.  2. This analysis includes surveys carried out from…, Adolescent girls’ health: Focus on HPV, According to the World Health Organization, more than 95 per cent of cervical cancer is caused by sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine helps protect against a number of cancers, notably cervical cancer, which is estimated to be the fourth largest cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. SOWC 2023 Figure 8 Source:…, Case Study: Uzbekistan, A shot of prevention: HPV vaccine is introduced At age 14, Shakhrizoda Alanazarova knows all too well the benefits of vaccination. Five years ago, she and her family lived through a stressful time when a close relative was diagnosed with cervical and breast cancer. Despite treatment, Shakhrizoda’s relative died at the age of 43. So, when the…, Understanding behaviours to drive vaccine confidence, The UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is using an innovative process of behavioural insights (BI) to understand and identify barriers to immunization and address vaccine hesitancy. BI is a field that draws on research from psychology, economics, sociology and neuroscience to generate insights about why people make the choices they…, A framework for action, Despite undeniable progress over many decades, we continue to face critical challenges in immunization. Immunization coverage has fallen back, or stagnated, in too many places. We are persistently missing children with life-saving vaccines, especially the socially marginalized and poorest children, and the situation has only deteriorated during…, For Every Child, Vaccination R E G I O N A L B R I E F : E U R O P E A N D C E N T R A L A S I AT H E S TAT E O F T H E W O R L D S C H I L D R E N 2 0 2 3 1 THE STATE OF THE WORLDS CHILDREN 2023: FOR EVERY CHILD, VACCINATION For every child, vaccination Immunization is one of humanitys most remarkable success stories. It has saved countless lives…

BRUSSELS/GENEVA/SOFIA, Bulgaria, 20 April 2023 – The European Commission and UNICEF today, together with the representatives of the Member States, marked the achievements of a three-year pilot programme implemented in seven countries across Europe to tackle child poverty and social exclusion. The pilot programme tested in practice the European…

NEW YORK, 20 April 2023 – The public perception of the importance of childhood vaccines has declined across Europe and Central Asia since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new analysis of data from 55 countries worldwide – 29 of which are in Europe and Central Asia. The analysis is featured in a new report published today by…

The partnership between the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) and the European Commission to pilot the European Child Guarantee (ECG) as part of the Phase III of the preparatory action of the ECG across in seven Member States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain) is coming to an end on the 28th…, The end of the Phase III of the Preparatory Action for a European Child Guarantee will be marked with a high-level closing event taking place in Sofia-Bulgaria, on 20 April 2023. The event aims to take stock of progress achieved in testing ECG and pave the way for effective implementation of ECG in European Union and beyond. It will provide a…, Some of the main results of the Phase III of the Preparatory Action for a European Child Guarantee include:, 18 models of services, interventions, and mechanisms aiming to enable access to essential services for disadvantaged groups of children, were developed, tested, and integrated within ECG National Action Plans, sectoral strategies as well as regional and local service development plans in 4 countries, through participatory and coordinated processes…, UNICEF Support to the development of European Child Guarantee National Action Plans (ECG NAP), ECG NAPs have been developed in six pilot Member States under the leadership of ECG National Coordinators or other designated actors. UNICEF, together with the governments of these countries, have worked to ensure that these plans are based on robust evidence and rely on the findings and recommendations of the Deep Dives analyses undertaken in…, Bulgaria, The Deep Dive analysis has been reviewed by line ministries which have provided their feedback and has been used extensively to inform the drafting of the ECG NAP. The NAP is expected to be a comprehensive document based on the vision of the government to consolidate in one place all the sectoral policies covered by the Child Guarantee, as well as…, Croatia, UNICEF Croatia is a member of the Working Group set up for the development of the NAP, together with more than 20 other governmental institutions and key stakeholders and it has supported consultations with children and young people, which were conducted in several related phases. The Deep Dive analysis as well as report from the consultations…, Greece, Greece has established a Working Group comprised of representatives from 12 key Ministries[1] to work on the development of the NAP and provide inputs, including new measures, recommendations, and key actions. Under the leadership of the national coordinator for the ECG, EKKA, inputs were requested from a variety of stakeholders: local, regional…, Italy, Further to its submission in March 2022, the Italian ECG NAP was formally adopted for dissemination in September 2022. Under the leadership of the National Coordinator, several inter-governmental Technical Working Groups were proposed to prioritise implementation of key ECG National Action Plan (ECG NAP) measures. The National Coordinator has…, Germany, The German NAP is developed jointly by all relevant Ministries and together with the regional and communal level. It is currently being negotiated between the Ministries. The Deep Dive analysis has been informing the discussions around the NAP. The Deep Dive analysis was shared with the Commission in January 2022 and has since led to a dialogue on…, Lithuania, The draft ECG NAP has been presented to the National Child Welfare Council under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, chaired by the Minister of Social Security and Labour. This Council is expected to endorse the ECG NAP, once finalized. It is expected that the ECG NAP will be formally approved via a Ministerial decision (by three…, Spain, The drafting of the ECG NAP was led by the ECG Management committee, which includes the National Coordinator (General Directorate for Children Rights), High Commissioner on Child Poverty and UNICEF. The results of the Deep Dive were used extensively in the elaboration of the ECG NAP in Spain, especially in the analysis of the different key…, Innovative and evidence-based models of services for the most disadvantaged children, In 4 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, and Italy), in close cooperation with the national and local governments, 18 evidenced-based and sustainable models of services and interventions for children from disadvantaged backgrounds are being implemented and tested for replicability. The implementation of all models of services has continued in…, Operational research, The Operational Research (or process evaluation) is being carried out in the 4 Countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, and Italy) which are implementing specific models of services to address the needs of the most disadvantaged children. Phase 1 and Phase II data collection have been completed. The operational research has been completed and a…, The European Child Guarantee, Poverty and social exclusion can have a profound impact on the lives of children, preventing them from accessing basic services such as healthcare, education, nutritious food, quality housing and childcare. Leading the Way for Europe's Children Homepage Banner, Leading the Way for Europe's Children, Event: The high-level closing event aims to take stock of progress achieved in testing ECG and pave the way for effective implementation of ECG in European Union and beyond. April 2023, 1Programmatic Update, April 2023 THE CHILD GUARANTEE:BREAKING THE CYCLE OF DISADVANTAGEPHASE III OF THE PREPARATORY ACTION FOR A CHILD GUARANTEE The partnership between the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) and the European Commission to pilot the European Child Guarantee (ECG) as part of the Phase III of the preparatory…

About, Immunization allows children everywhere to live lives free of many forms of disability and illness. UNICEF's  The State of the World’s Children 2023 highlights the current situation of immunization for children globally. UNICEF's regional brief for Europe and Central Asia demonstrate that public demand, scientific innovations and – perhaps above…, Immunization coverage in Europe and Central Asia, Europe and Central Asia has the highest immunization coverage rates in the world. However, the pandemic set back immunization coverage. Girl receiving a HPV vaccine. UNICEF/UN0687610/Babajanyan VII Photo Nearly one million children in Europe and Central Asia missed all or some routine vaccinations between 2019 and 2021. Many of these children…, Understanding zero-dose, ‘Zero-dose’ and ‘under-vaccinated’ have become key concepts in explaining immunization coverage. Among children who missed one or several routine vaccinations in the region, 327,400 are “zero-dose” and “under-vaccinated” children, meaning they have either not received any vaccines or the third required dose of the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT…, Disruptions to vaccination, The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt 3-month-old gets vaccinated in Tajikistan UNICEF/UN0635918/Babajanyan VII Photo The pandemic caused immense disruption to health services globally, including immunization. Across Europe and Central Asia, as in other parts of the world, several clinics were closed, the distribution of syringes…, Vaccine confidence, Using behavioural insights to understand and identify barriers to immunization and address vaccine hesitancy. In 29 countries in Europe and Central Asia Region, there was a decrease in the perception of the importance of vaccines for children. Among the 29 countries, Croatia experienced the greatest decline in confidence in childhood vaccines,…, Immunization trends, Despite undeniable progress over many decades, we continue to face critical challenges in immunization. Nurse shows vaccination calendar UNICEF/UN0760644/Babajanyan VII Photo Other key data on immunization in Europe and Central Asia featured in the report include: The highest prevalence of zero-dose children is among mothers with primary education…, Taking action, Here is a set of concrete and actionable recommendations to reach every child with vaccines and to ensure that immunization and primary health-care systems are ready to meet future challenges. UNICEF is calling on governments to double-down on their commitment to increase financing for immunization and to work with stakeholders to unlock available…

Mayors from across Europe and Central Asia region have pledged support to make their municipalities work better for children and young people. UNICEF has partnered with these municipalities and local authorities to prioritize: More disaggregated data and evidence on the most vulnerable and marginalized children, and the neighborhoods in which they…

Since 2000, UNICEF supports governments in Europe and Central Asia to establish specialised child justice systems that enable children in conflict with the law to benefit from policies and approaches that promote diversion and alternatives to detention and use detention as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.…

The five advocacy briefs covering the rights of children in conflict with the law aim to support full respect for, and implementation of, the principles and standards on child justice as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and corresponding international and regional standards. Noting that despite the many…

This report presents key findings, lessons, and recommendations on how governments in Europe and Central Asia have responded to disasters and crises through subnational social protection systems. Using case studies from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Tajikistan and Ukraine the report identifies key priority areas of work and further…, Albania, Country disaster risk profile Albania is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with increased vulnerability due to its infrastructure needs, and poverty in rural areas. The country is prone to numerous natural hazards, including hydrometeorological hazards: floods, droughts, forest fires, and landslides. The country is also at high-risk to…, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Country disaster risk profile Bosnia and Herzegovina is at risk of natural disasters, which affect the agricultural sector and human health, through seasonal flooding and periods of drought. The most common natural disasters are associated with heavy rainstorms that may cause mudslides and flooding of large areas of agricultural land, houses, and…, Montenegro, Country disaster risk profile Montenegro’s main hazard exposure  is to floods and earthquakes. Flooding affects 10,000 people annually on average and causes an average of US$90 million in damage to the national gross domestic product (GDP). During the last 20 years, Montenegro has experienced six destructive floods; the three largest took place in…, Tajikistan, Country disaster risk profile Tajikistan is a mountainous country with diverse topography and is especially vulnerable to climate hazards. It is prone to earthquakes, floods, drought, avalanches, landslides and mudslides. The most vulnerable areas are the glacier-dependent river basins supplying hydropower and water resources for irrigation,…, Ukraine, Country disaster risk profile Ukraine is at risk of hydrometeorological hazards and natural disasters, which primarily affect the agricultural and human health sectors, through seasonal flooding and periods of drought. Threats from riverine, urban floods and wildfires are considered high. Impacts from climate change make Ukraine increasingly…, Documentation of how governments in Europe and Central Asia have responded to disasters and crises through subnational social protection systems Policy document Mihai MAGHERU May 2022 Subnational social protection systems Contents: Introduction…

The escalation of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 changed everything overnight. It robbed children and families in Ukraine of everything that was “normal” for them. Seeing the huge numbers of mainly women and children fleeing their country did not leave anyone cold. Slovakia responded quickly, effectively, and compassionately. Volunteers,…