The National Network for Children (NNC) released findings from its “Report Card 2026: What Is State’s Average Performance in Caring for Children?” assessing the current state of policies supporting children. Maria Brestnichka of the NNC informed journalists on Thursday that the overall performance of the state in caring for children over the past 15 years has received an average rating of 3.28. The report provides specific recommendations based on an evaluation covering eight distinct areas, assessed by over 40 experts.
Brestnichka noted that child well-being emerged as the weakest area, scoring 2.96. This metric encompasses crucial aspects such as child poverty levels, access to healthcare services, and the quality of education available to children. She emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive policy and a new strategic approach for the sector.
In other areas, Bella Damyanova, Coordinator for Children’s Policies at NNC, highlighted the social system, which achieved a score of 3.41. Damyanova pointed to a shortage of specialized personnel as a key challenge within this system. Furthermore, NNC’s Georgi Elenkov addressed the political environment, observing signs of emerging stability within Bulgarian politics.
However, he stressed the need for policy stability and the restoration of an expert tone within the National Assembly to improve the overall support structure for children.
Topics: #children #average #state
This report sounds deeply concerning, especially regarding the persistent weakness in child well-being.