The Future of the Welfare State

We, members of @WBwelfarestate network invite the @EU_Commission, the @Europarl_EN, WB governments, civil society and development partners to join forces in establishing the EU Child Guarantee for the Western Balkans as part of the region's new Growth Plan futureofthewelfarestate.org/the-regional-i…

The ambition of the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-po…) to double the size of the region's economies within the next 10 years cannot be achieved without measures that support human capital development in the region. ⬇️

Let's ensure that children in the Western Balkans have equal opportunities as those in the European Union: ec.europa.eu/social/main.js…. Join us and support our new initiative to establish the EU Child Guarantee for WB as part of the region's new Growth Plan: futureofthewelfarestate.org/the-regional-i…

The regional network @WBwelfarestate is urging the @EU_Commission, the @Europarl_EN, and the governments of WB to endorse and support the development of the EU Child Guarantee in Western Balkans within the framework of the new Growth Plan for the WB: futureofthewelfarestate.org/the-regional-i…

Join us LIVE to discuss the role of civil society organisations in shaping the #FutureOfEducation and share your views: fb.me/e/1xINuE9nq #Skills4Change #LearningConnects

📢📢📢 @FES_SOE & @CspOffice are inviting you to online promotion of the policy study "Social Protection in the Western Balkans – Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis" starting on Wednesday 23rd of September at 10.00 a.m. Find out how to participate at: bit.ly/2ZRymLk

What recommendations can be made regarding social protection emergency preparedness within the COVID-19 crisis? More information can be found in the regional study prepared by our social policy experts, with the support from @FES_SOE: bit.ly/2X5esuW

📢📢📢 Regional social policy experts of @WBwelfarestate network, with the support from @FES_SOE, prepared the Regional study SOCIAL PROTECTION IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS: bit.ly/2X5esuW

Number of largely negative observations can be made from the social protection response across the Western Balkan Region during the COVID-19 crisis, from which lessons can be learned. More information in the regional study authored by our experts: bit.ly/2X5esuW

Some positive lessons can be drawn from the social policy response across the Region during COVID-19 crisis. More information in the study "Social Protection in the Western Balkans – Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis": bit.ly/2X5esuW

This Study has been authored by Gordana Matković and @Paulstubbsa with the support of @zarkosun . It is based on a review of literature and, most importantly, information provided by members of @WBwelfarestate network. The Study can be downloaded here: bit.ly/2X5esuW

The third part focuses on a broader agenda for transitioning to sustainable reform of social protection across the region, revisiting the document "Future-Oriented Welfare State Policies in the Western Balkans" produced by the Network in December 2019: bit.ly/2PaW547

📢📢📢 Regional social policy experts of @WBwelfarestate network, with the support from @FESonline prepared the Regional study SOCIAL PROTECTION IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS: bit.ly/2X5esuW

On Thursday, 4 June, @UNICEFInnocenti held the third installment of the Leading Minds Online webinar series ‘What the Experts Say - Coronavirus and Children: Support for Families". Gordana Matković (@CspOffice) was one of the panelists. Full video recording is available here:

Join us for our webinar on *Support for Families* 📅 June 4 15:00 CET REGISTER: wtvglobal.zoom.us/webinar/regist… Panelists: -@UNICEF's Natalia Elena Winder-Rossi -@UNICEFInnocenti's Dominic Richardson -@Sida's Ulrike Lang -@CspOffice's Gordana Matković -@WorldBank's @Ugentilini

Please read the article TOWARDS A WELFARE STATE IN THE WESTERN BALKANS, published in the latest edition of the Political Trends & Dynamics newsletter (@FESonline). The article is written by @Paulstubbsa, member of our network: bit.ly/3bjswpz (.pdf, pp. 9-13)

Inclusive education should become a top priority in WB countries (including day care services for children with disability in schools, hot meals for poor children, access to all levels of education for Roma children) - FUTURE OF THE WELFARE STATE PLATFORM: bit.ly/2PaW547

Closing of equity gaps in access and health outcomes should be ensured. -- For more information, please see our FUTURE OF THE WELFARE STATE PLATFORM at bit.ly/2PaW547

Increased investing in preventive services (immunization, regular check-ups, screening programs) and public health programs is needed. Monitoring and evaluation of service quality should be improved. bit.ly/2PaW547

Universal health coverage should be ensured in all Western Balkan countries. General government expenditure for health care should be at least 5% GDP (with clear steps outlined for its realization within a reasonable time scale). bit.ly/2PaW547