Europe and Central Asia

Nearly 10.8 million children in Europe and Central Asia have disabilities, accounting for 1 in 17 children across the region. Their opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and fully and fairly participate in society depends on the extent to which they are supported and included in their homes, schools and communities. The exclusion of people with…, A comprehensive and inclusive social protection system should ensure:, Income security, Income security for children with disabilities and their families that supports an adequate standard of living on an equal basis with others, including through effective access to disability-specific cash benefits for children and their carers., Adequate healthcare, Access to adequate healthcare, including disability-related medical care and rehabilitation. , Financial coverage, Financial coverage of disability-related costs and access to care services and/or assistive technology. , Access to the comprehensive services, Access to the comprehensive services needed throughout life, such as care services, education, vocational training, support with employment and generating income. , Equitable access to support and benefits, An inclusive social protection system guarantees equitable access to support and benefits for all children with disabilities, considering specific needs based on age, gender, and ethnicity., First 1,000 days, For families of children who are born with disabilities or are at risk of developmental delays, early identification and support are critical to ensure that children thrive. Their right to immunization, accessible and affordable health care and community-based services is essential. Their ability to enjoy recreational activities, playgrounds and…, Early education and care, Participation in quality early education and care supports children’s social and emotional development and learning and helps support a smooth transition to school. Drawing of a teacher handing a hearing aid to a student. Inclusive learning From preschool onwards, children with disabilities must have support from qualified teachers and teacher…, Inclusive Education, Inclusive education ensures that children with disabilities participate fully in learning. They need to be provided with equal learning opportunities in a safe, protective environment that embraces their diversity and accommodates their needs. These environments also need to support their wellbeing, helping them thrive and participate fully in…

The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine – combined with inadequate social protection support for children and families – have pushed more children in Europe and Central Asia into poverty and thwarted chances of escape for children already living in poverty. As a result, the number of children in Europe and Central Asia…, Breaking the poverty cycle, Children suffer poverty differently than adults and are more likely to experience lifelong consequences from it. Poverty and social exclusion often prevent children and families with children from accessing basic services such as healthcare, education, nutritious food, quality housing and childcare. The European Child Guarantee, through sharing…

This report presents key findings, lessons, and recommendations on how governments in Europe and Central Asia have responded to disasters and crises through subnational social protection systems. Using case studies from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Tajikistan and Ukraine the report identifies key priority areas of work and further…, Albania, Country disaster risk profile Albania is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with increased vulnerability due to its infrastructure needs, and poverty in rural areas. The country is prone to numerous natural hazards, including hydrometeorological hazards: floods, droughts, forest fires, and landslides. The country is also at high-risk to…, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Country disaster risk profile Bosnia and Herzegovina is at risk of natural disasters, which affect the agricultural sector and human health, through seasonal flooding and periods of drought. The most common natural disasters are associated with heavy rainstorms that may cause mudslides and flooding of large areas of agricultural land, houses, and…, Montenegro, Country disaster risk profile Montenegro’s main hazard exposure  is to floods and earthquakes. Flooding affects 10,000 people annually on average and causes an average of US$90 million in damage to the national gross domestic product (GDP). During the last 20 years, Montenegro has experienced six destructive floods; the three largest took place in…, Tajikistan, Country disaster risk profile Tajikistan is a mountainous country with diverse topography and is especially vulnerable to climate hazards. It is prone to earthquakes, floods, drought, avalanches, landslides and mudslides. The most vulnerable areas are the glacier-dependent river basins supplying hydropower and water resources for irrigation,…, Ukraine, Country disaster risk profile Ukraine is at risk of hydrometeorological hazards and natural disasters, which primarily affect the agricultural and human health sectors, through seasonal flooding and periods of drought. Threats from riverine, urban floods and wildfires are considered high. Impacts from climate change make Ukraine increasingly…, Documentation of how governments in Europe and Central Asia have responded to disasters and crises through subnational social protection systems Policy document Mihai MAGHERU May 2022 Subnational social protection systems Contents: Introduction…

The European Child Guarantee:, Children in Greece are smiling. Teacher and a child. Teacher and a child Boy is raising his hand in a class. Poverty and social exclusion can have a profound impact on the lives of children, preventing them from accessing basic services such as healthcare, education, nutritious food, quality housing and childcare. For the poorest families,…, The European Child Guarantee was approved unanimously by a Council Recommendation on 14 June 2021., The recommendation calls on Member States to: “ensure the participation of regional, local and other relevant authorities, children and relevant stakeholders representing civil society, non-governmental organisations, educational establishments and bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion and integration, children’s rights, inclusive…, The challenge, Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly one quarter of Europe’s children were at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been felt across countries—from the economic and social impacts of national lockdowns, to the near collapse of overburdened health systems, to the loss of learning opportunities for children…, The solution, Building a more resilient Europe starts with children. The post-COVID-19 recovery plans must foster resilience and strengthen systems so that they are resilient to future crisis. For the most vulnerable and excluded children, addressing material deprivation will not enough.  High quality, inclusive, accessible, affordable social services are…, Making the European Child Guarantee a Reality, High level events, Testing the Child Guarantee in the EU Member States, Programmatic Updates, Policy Briefs & Deep Dive Reports

NEW YORK, 28 May 2020 – The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic could push up to 86 million more children into household poverty by the end of 2020, an increase of 15 per cent, according to a new analysis released today by Save the Children and UNICEF. The  analysis  highlights that, without urgent action to protect families from the…

NEW YORK, 18 November 2019 – There have been historic gains overall for the world’s children since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted 30 years ago. However, many of the poorest children are yet to feel the impact, according to The Convention on the Rights of the Child at a Crossroads , a new report released today.  Part of…

In Europe and Central Asia, parents continue to be encouraged to place children with developmental delays or disabilities in state institutions. Ensuring that children with disabilities stay with their families, are able to reach their full potential and are included in society requires a holistic suite of supports. Inclusive, well-coordinated and…

UNICEF’s Europe and Central Asia Regional Office commissioned this study to better understand how the social protection benefits that mothers and families in the region receive could be reframed in order to increase access to early childhood education and care services and enable mothers to return to work. The results may be useful for policy…

Available data suggest that more than 22 million children are living in poverty in the Europe and Central Asia Region.  Children are far more likely to be living in poverty compared to adults, with some children particularly vulnerable – children with disabilities, children from large families, single parent households and Roma children. A strong…

Despite significant progress in reducing poverty in recent decades,   22 million children in Europe and Central Asia continue to live in poverty. They are less likely to access health care, complete their education and grow up to contribute fully to the social, economic and political futures of their countries. These children are also more likely…

Across the Europe and Central Asia Region, regardless of national wealth, too many children are living in monetary poverty and many are growing up without the basic means they need to grow, learn and stay safe. The evidence is clear. Monetary poverty is closely linked to a range of serious risks for individuals and societies. Above all, poverty is…

NEW YORK, 3 October 2016 – Children are more than twice as likely as adults to live in extreme poverty, according to a new analysis from the World Bank Group and UNICEF. Ending Extreme Poverty: A Focus on Children finds that in 2013 19.5 per cent of children in developing countries were living in households that survived on an average of US$1.90 a…