Policy Trends in Stability Pact Countries Expenditures for social services. Goals of recent legislative reforms. Administrative and cultural impediments. Reform strategies.

Martin B. Tracy, Ph.D. Social Insurance Research International 1519 Canterbury Drive Murray, Kentucky 42071-3250 mbtracy@murray-ky.net

Expenditures Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina 0.7% of GDP. Republic of Srpska = 1.1% Croatia 1.05% Moldova 0.7%

Expenditures Continued Montenegro 0.34% Serbia 0.77%

Comparative Expenditures for Social Assistance (2002) Austria 2.8% of GDP Denmark 6.0% France 3.9% Germany 3.4% Greece 0.4%

Comparative Expenditures Continued Italy 1.7% Portugal 1.8% Spain 1.2% Sweden 6.2% United Kingdom 2.8% Source: World Bank

Goals of Recent Legislative Reforms Decentralize administration and program costs. De-institutionalize services. Address social exclusion and social isolation. Create government-NGO partnerships. Promote inter-disciplinary services.

Goals of Current Reforms Continued Develop systematic approaches to research. Develop research and evaluation networks. Link social services to reduction of poverty and work. Establish networks and alliances of service providers.

Goals of Current Reforms Continued Establish legal frameworks that promote effective and efficient partnerships, as well as quality services. Integrate social service reforms with reforms in social security and related income support and health care systems.

Goals of Current Reforms Continued Reduce costs by targeting most needy populations. Improve distribution of services to areas outside the main urban cities.

Administrative and Cultural Impediments Desire for anonymity. Unknown rights and services. Difficult application process. Biased administrative discretion. Demeaning processes. Insufficient coordination.

Reform Strategies Community structure. Accurate database. Inclusion of users and stakeholders. Continuing training of personnel. Expand local capacities.

Reform Strategies Continued Promote transparency and accountability. Expand integrated, multi-disciplinary services. Link services to employment opportunities. Utilize local and national media regarding benefits and services.