The introduction of a universal child allowance has become the central theme of strategic efforts for the demographic recovery of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was confirmed on the seventh regular session of the Ministerial Coordination for the FBiH Social Policy, held in Tomislavgrad.
According to information previously published by the FBiH government, the universal children’s allowance is one of the key recommendations of the demographic recovery strategy. It is a model of automatic financial support for each child until 18. years of life, regardless of family income. Such practice is already represented in 26 European countries, where positive effects have been recorded – from the growth of birthrities and reducing children’s poverty to increase the work activity of young parents.
At the session, the possibility of introducing the so-called Quasiuniversity of children’s plugin, which would expand the coverage of the user of the current federal appendix. The cantons expressed readiness to deliver their own proposals for the implementation of this model, with the aim of achieving 100% coverage of children in the Federation of BiH.
It is planned that funding is mutually insured at the federal and cantonal level.
Although it is a complex model, the opening of space for such solutions can bring long-term systemic changes and fair access to all families with children, “the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy said.
The session was coordinated by the Federal Minister of Labor and Social Policy Adnan Delić and the Cantonal Ministers of Social Protection. In addition to the universal appendix, the implementation of the Law on Material Support to families with children and about strengthening the capacity of social work centers was also discussed.
In this context, a comprehensive analysis of the situation of social work centers was presented, developed within the EU project conducted by EPRD. The analysis will serve as a basis for the development of the Dynamic Support Plan to each Center individually, with the aim of improving the quality and availability of social services.
Each canton has its own specifics, challenges and realities. Ministerial coordination is a space in which these differences become visible, but also the space in which together we seek solutions that will reflect on end users – citizens, “said Minister Delic.
The participants of the session agreed that the introduction of a universal child allowance was not only demographic, but also social and development measures, and have announced more intense work to define the model that would translate this idea into practice, writes this idea Hayat TV.
