Croatia's 2024 Biennial report on the implementation of the Child Guarantee – an overview
Three years after the adoption of the European Child Guarantee, EU Member States are releasing the first report on its implementation. The reports offer an overview of the context, target groups, and services established to execute the European Child Guarantee’s National Action Plans. Additionally, they include sections covering indicators, financing details, and insights and conclusions gleaned from the implementation process.
The Croatian Government submitted its 2024 Biennial report on the implementation of the Child Guarantee in August 2024.
The report focuses on:
- Early childhood education and care: Investments in the construction, extension, upgrading, reconstruction and equipping of child care facilities, with 342 projects increasing capacity by 21,316 places, totalling €213.43 million. The amended law on Preschool Education prioritises enrollment for at-risk children and includes programmes for inclusion.
- Education and school-based activities: Institutions with a significant Roma population receive additional support for vulnerable groups, promoting extracurricular and sports activities.
- Healthy meal each school day: Participation in the free school meal program rose from 60% in 2022 to 96.6% in 2023. The Ministry of Health will improve data on nutrition in child care in alignment with WHO standards, increasing the number of schools with functional kitchens to 915.
- Healthcare: School doctors conduct mental health risk screenings for children aged 13 to 15. In 2022/23, 5% of 13- to 14-year-old and 10% of 14- to 15-year-old exhibited mental health risks.
- Adequate housing: In 2022, 522 families with children at risk of poverty were identified for housing support. In 2022, 414 families received housing support, and 492 families in 2023.
- Alternative Care: Amendments to the Social Welfare Act will introduce social housing for young people leaving care. Ongoing efforts to enhance integrated social services, improve interdepartmental cooperation, and prioritise keeping children within their families or close relatives.
Check out the rest of the 2024 Biennial reports on the implementation of the Child Guarantee!
Eurochild and its members will continue to call on Member States to release their biennial reports and work to ensure the Child Guarantee National Action Plans help end child poverty.
This summary provides key highlights from the Biennial report on the Child Guarantee implementation in Croatian published in August 2024. It is not exhaustive or evaluative.