According to Maria Brestnichka of the National Network for Children (NNC), the state’s performance in caring for children over the past fifteen years registered an average score of 3.28. The NNC released its “Report Card 2026: What Is State’s Average Performance in Caring for Children?,” a document that evaluates the progress of state policies and offers specific policy recommendations based on assessments from over 40 experts across eight distinct areas. Brestnichka identified child well-being as the most deficient area, scoring 2.96.
This category encompasses critical elements such as child poverty, access to healthcare services, and the quality of education provided. She stressed the necessity for a new, comprehensive policy and strategy concerning the welfare of children. Bella Damyanova, Coordinator for Children’s Policies at NNC, noted that the social system achieved a score of 3.41.
However, she pointed to a shortage of specialized personnel as a primary challenge within this sector. She also reported that two medico-social care homes have not yet been closed. Furthermore, Georgi Elenkov of NNC observed that while signs of emerging stability are visible within Bulgarian politics, a key concern remains the consistent achievement of policy stability and the restoration of an expert tone within the National Assembly.
The report underscores the need for systemic improvements to bolster the support structure for children.
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It is concerning that child well-being remains the weakest area despite a 15-year tracking period.