The National Network for Children (NNC) released its “Report Card 2026: What Is State’s Average Performance in Caring for Children?”, assessing the trajectory of state policies supporting children over the last 15 years. According to Maria Brestnichka, the overall performance rating for the state was calculated at an average of 3.28. The assessment utilized data compiled from over 40 experts across eight distinct areas of care.
Brestnichka noted that child well-being emerged as the most deficient area, receiving a score of 2.96. This category encompasses critical components such as access to quality education, child poverty rates, and the availability of healthcare services. She emphasized that these findings underscore a need for a new, comprehensive policy framework for the welfare of children.
In contrast, the social system was rated slightly higher, achieving a score of 3.41, according to Bella Damyanova, Coordinator for Children’s Policies at the NNC. Damyanova pointed to a specialist shortage as a primary challenge within the social system. Regarding the broader context, Georgi Elenkov of the NNC observed signs of emerging stability within Bulgarian politics.
However, he expressed concern over the continuity of policy implementation, stressing the necessity of achieving policy stability and restoring an expert tone within the National Assembly to effectively support the best interests of children.
Topics: #children #average #state
It is troubling that the weakest area identified is child well-being, even if the overall rating is merely average.
What specific policy areas contributed to the childcare rating being average while child well-being was rated the weakest?