1. Children in the National Action Plans for Social Inclusion in the selected EU member states Erika Kvapilova “Children’s Experiences with Poverty and Social Exclusion – Challenges for Research and Policies” Vienna, June 28-29, 2007

2. Structure Recent trends in focusing on child poverty) at the EU level Child poverty on the EU social inclusion agenda, focus on V4 countries (NAPs/ Incl 2006-2008) Linking research and policies – some challenges in V4 countries

3. Child poverty agenda in the EU Member states child poverty has been on the agenda of some EU Member states for decades different approach to address the issue depending on the type of the welfare state children’s well-being has been very often perceived from an adult’s perspective, and focusing primarily on policies aimed at: improving family income (paid work and social transfers) reducing family costs (subsidizing child day care, education, health care) ensuring inclusiveness (access to educational system, safe neighborhoods, child protection services, housing…)

4. Child poverty on the EU social inclusion agenda 2001 - NAPs/inclusion 2001 low interest in child poverty 2004 - thematic study to analyze policies effective in reducing child poverty (P. Hoelscher) 2006 (March) the European Council “to take necessary measures to rapidly and significantly reduce child poverty, giving all children equal opportunities, regardless of their social background” 2006 (July) the Commission’s Communication “Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child”, a comprehensive EU strategy to promote and effectively implement the rights of the child in internal and external EU policies

5. “Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child” The Communication gives visibility and puts emphasis on children’s rights as a set of self-standing human rights that merit specific actions (within a framework of UN CRC) reemphasis on children’s perspective on well-being/ poverty/ social exclusion (important, e.g. when defining child poverty and well-being indicators)

6. Other developments 2006: The EU and Social Inclusion: Facing the Challenges (Atkinson, Marlier, Cantillon and Nolan) – child mainstreaming 2007: NAPs/Inclusion – focus on child well-being….

7. Children in NAPs/ Inclusion 2006-2008 in V4 countries commonalities and differences (Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic)

8. Laeken indicator 1: relative child poverty rate 2003/4. Source: Eurostat 2007

9. Laeken indicator 2: % children 0-17 living in jobless households 2006. Source: Eurostat 2007

10. Slovakia Reduction of child poverty and generational transmission of poverty through supporting families with children (an explicit goal) Intervention areas: Education Family (related) benefits Legal protection (children at risk)

11. Slovakia Strong focus on education as the prevention to intergenerational transmission of poverty, however, limited number of related measures, focus on conditional benefits and subsidies; Vague formulations related to “preventing segregated education…Roma children”

12. Slovakia Family and child benefits: Universal child benefit (a condition – school attendance) Parental benefit (non-working and working parents/ conditions for entitlement) Tax bonus (working parents) Legal protection and services - limited number of measures

13. Hungary Fight against child poverty (an explicit goal in the NAP/Inclusion) Intervention areas: Employment policy (ALMP) Education and child day care Welfare services Health protection/ prevention

14. Hungary Promoting employment of parents (various ALMP and incentives) Prevention against the transmission of poverty between generations Extending access to child-day care and pre-school facilities (services) Improving quality of basic education (a new M&E system) education for children with special needs and focus on minority children (Roma) prevention against early drop outs,

15. Hungary Indexation of family and child benefits (reforms in 2006, no radical changes envisaged) Strengthening welfare services (legal framework, access and quality) Health protection of children and the youth (improve and access and focus on 0-3 years old)

16. Poland Support for families with children (demographic argument rather than the rights of the child) Intervention areas: Integrated social services for families with children (at a local level) Social housing (at a local level) Food support (local level) Equal access to education (children from rural areas) Access to child care services (local level) Flexible working schemes for parents

17. Czech Republic Strengthen family cohesion and awareness of intergenerational solidarity and the rights of the child Intervention areas: Family welfare services Education (focus on integration of disadvantaged children – minority, disabled)

18. Summary and challenges Differences in focus: children (HU) vs. families (SK, CZ, POL) Differences in strategies: focus on individual activation and financial incentives for parents and children/ students (SK) Focus on development of (public) social, health and education services (POL, CZ, HU) Access and coverage (POL, CZ, HU) Quality (HU)

19. Summary and challenges: differences in areas of intervention (matrix) benefits and cash incentives LMPSocial services educationhousinghealthLegal protecti on SK XXXX HU XXXXXX CZ XXX POL XXXXX

20. Summary and challenges Differences in targets and indicators Various degree of involvement and capacity of research/ Academia/ NGOs in formulation of policies and measures Involvement of research and Academia (POL, HU) Involvement of NGOs (CZ) No/limited involvement of neither research or NGOs (SK)

21. Summary and challenges Lack of children’s views/ perceptions on poverty and social exclusion (all countries) Increased recognition of children’s rights as a framework for shaping the measures and policies, however need for more awareness raising