New package of services needed to reverse growing rates of child poverty and exclusion

Skopje, 14 May 2025: At a national event dedicated to tackling child poverty and social exclusion, the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, with support from UNICEF, presented results of an analysis and policy recommendations for a comprehensive package of services to be considered under the European Child Guarantee in North Macedonia.

The policy dialogue comes at a critical time: children in North Macedonia are significantly more likely to live in poverty than adults, with 32% living below the national poverty line and 40% experiencing multidimensional poverty, according to the latest available data.

The proposed Child Guarantee package aims to ensure that every child—especially the most vulnerable—has guaranteed access to health, education, social protection, and care through coordinated, multi-sectoral support.

“Despite the availability of basic services such as healthcare, social protection, and education, children facing poverty and exclusion encounter greater barriers because systems are not tailored to their needs. To overcome these challenges, the Government of North Macedonia, with support from the EU and UNICEF, has developed a National Action Plan for Children's Rights 2025–2029, which is in the final stages of adoption. One of the Plan’s priorities is reducing child poverty, including through the introduction of the European Child Guarantee, as well as a 15% increase in cash benefits intended for children,” said Fatmir Limani, Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth.

He informed that the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth will lead the coordination with other government institutions in developing an implementation plan for the Child Guarantee.

The policy recommendations target the most at-risk children, including Roma children, children with disabilities, those without parental care, children in conflict with the law and others. They include multiple services such as expanded cash benefits, increased access to preschool, inclusive education, universal health coverage, and free school meals and more.

“Children who grow up in poverty are more likely to remain poor as adults, perpetuating the cycle of disadvantage,” said Lesley Miller, UNICEF Representative. “The Child Guarantee is proving to be a promising framework to reverse these alarming trends and ensure no child is left behind.”

The recommendations presented aim to address the root causes of child poverty, including financial hardship, limited access to quality services, and systemic barriers such as stigma, weak institutional coordination, and geographic disparities. The approach emphasizes integrated service models, proactive outreach, and targeted measures that respond to the real needs of children and families.

The event brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including key government institutions and civil society organizations involved in child rights, policy implementation, and service provision. They engaged in a rich dialogue and exchange learning through two panel discussions—first, on the transition from sectoral service provision to integrated service packages, featuring experiences and insights from the Ministries of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Education and Science, and Health; and second, on the practical implementation of the Child Guarantee in EU Member States, with contributions from government representatives from Austria, Croatia and Romania.

The National Action Plan for the Child Guarantee is expected to strengthen service delivery and mobilizing funding through national and municipal budgets, for implementation.  Up to €3 million are already planned for introducing child-focused services. Revised service models will be piloted in selected municipalities to generate evidence for national scale-up.