Skopje, 14 May 2025 (MIA) - The European Child Guarantee as an EU mechanism to prevent poverty and social exclusion is particularly relevant for North Macedonia where one in three children lives in poverty. This is a significantly higher rate than the general poverty rate for the total population. Roma, children living with one parent and those living in families with three or more children are particularly vulnerable. Data on child poverty are alarming and indicate the need for urgent and effective measures, Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Fatmir Limani, said on Wednesday. 

Speaking at Wednesday's conference "Child Guarantee - an instrument to eradicate child poverty and exclusion", Limani pointed out that despite the availability of basic services in the country such as education, health and social protection, children facing poverty and social exclusion face greater obstacles because the systems are not adapted to their needs.

Commenting on the National Action Plan for Children's Rights 2025-2029, which is in the final stages for adoption, the Minister noted that one of the priorities is a 15 percent increase in childcare allowances. 

"The country marks six years since the major reform of the social and child protection system. The reforms were grounded in international standards on children's rights, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Ministry has continuously invested in child protection reform, including by strengthening the system for supporting children with disabilities, strengthening the foster care system, and striving to provide support to families to avoid separating children from their parents. The opening of foster care support centres has proven to be a good step in that direction," said Limani.

According to him, work is also underway to expand preschool education capacities so that more children have the opportunity to attend kindergarten, thus ensuring better chances for success in the next levels of education.

"Based on the model of the European Child Guarantee, the Government is working with UNICEF to identify the most vulnerable groups of children and to assess current services and programmes in addressing child poverty and social exclusion. To overcome the challenges, the Government, with the support of the EU and UNICEF, has developed a National Action Plan for Children's Rights 2025-2029, which is in the final stages for adoption. One of the priorities of the plan is to reduce child poverty, including the introduction of the European Child Guarantee, as well as a 15 percent increase in childcare allowances," Limani said. 

The Government, he added, has also worked with UNICEF to identify barriers faced by the most vulnerable children and their families in accessing services in the areas of social and child protection, health and education.

"Another important measure provided for by the National Action Plan is setting up a commission to coordinate all activities and policies that will monitor the fulfilment of obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and prepare reports to international and regional human rights mechanisms. The commission is expected to improve intersectoral cooperation that is necessary to address the complex needs of children and to develop integrated services for them as an integral part of the Child Guarantee," the Minister said. 

The conference, which is also attended by UNICEF Representative Lesley Miller, representatives of ministries, members of parliamentary committees, the Ombudsman and other social stakeholders and representatives of civil and international organizations, is to present proposals on how to overcome barriers by introducing the Child Guarantee, while the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Limani noted, will undertake the obligation to coordinate the institutions in developing a plan for the implementation of the Guarantee.

Photo: MIA