ZAGREB, September 11, 2024 – The Government of Croatia is committed to reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. To this end, the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy (MLPSFSP) initiated a project to build a modern comprehensive policy framework for combating poverty and social exclusion, based on an evidence-based diagnostic at the sub-national level.
The technical assistance Project - Support to Improve Poverty Diagnostic and Social Policies Monitoring, the results of which were presented today, focused on supporting the MLPSFSP in developing a practical methodology to effectively use subnational administrative data on poverty and social exclusion in Croatia. The project was funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the World Bank in cooperation with the European Commission.
The activities under this project will have multiple benefits for all stakeholders. Firstly, through obtaining a more granular picture of poverty and social exclusion at the subnational level, policymakers will be able to develop better-targeted and more comprehensive social policies. Secondly, an advanced monitoring and reporting system for five national social strategic plans will enable the government to implement evidence-based social policy, evaluate progress, adjust its course as needed, and demonstrate results. Finally, enhanced stakeholder engagement mechanisms will ensure that everyone contributes to the social policymaking cycle—government institutions, social partners, academia, civil society, and beneficiaries themselves.
“The crises that Croatia has recently faced have additionally indicated the need to strengthen the social welfare system but also the role of the state in preserving jobs, pensions and social benefits. Our fight against poverty is based on establishing a social safety net that ensures no one is left behind. Guided by solidarity towards each individual—especially children, young people, people with disabilities—the elderly—and those at risk of poverty—the Government of Croatia always places people’s needs and improving their standard of living at its policies' center,” emphasized Margareta Mađerić, State Secretary at MLPSFSP.
“Europe has a unique quality of life; our social market economy model serves both our economies and societies ensuring no one is left behind. The European Pillar of Social Rights is our compass for upward convergence towards better working conditions in EU. Therefore I am happy we were able to support Croatia through our Technical Support Instrument in establishing efficient methodologies to track poverty &social exclusion especially on sub-national level empowering Croatian authorities in monitoring evaluating measures targeted most vulnerable,” stated Nathalie Berger Director for Support Member State’s Reforms European Commission.
“Reliable data solid evidence crucial understanding factors shape development outcomes building comprehensive ecosystem requires coordinated efforts various stakeholders continuous development institutional individual capacities initiatives ensure data quality integrity supporting informed decision-making poverty-targeted policies strategic resource allocation,” said Ambar Narayan World Bank Practice Manager Poverty Equity Europe Central Asia “We pleased World Bank remains government partner choice creating fairer inclusive Croatia together look forward making lasting difference lives those need it most.”
The event provided a platform to present discuss knowledge gains from this project highlight importance findings context strategic planning use EU funds Participants comprising among other representatives MLPSFSP Ministry Health Ministry Justice Public Administration Digital Transformation Tax Administration Croatian Health Insurance Fund Croatian Bureau Statistics European Commission World Bank academia civil society organizations exchanged ideas jointly enhance implementation sustainability policy solutions identified part project
About Technical Support Instrument
Technical Support Instrument helps EU Member States design implement resilience-enhancing reforms providing expertise national authorities support demand include strategic legal advice studies training expert visits ground
Member States request support:
implement resilience-enhancing reforms context EU economic governance such arising country-specific recommendations under European Semester virtue implementing EU law
prepare amend implement revise national recovery resilience plans under Recovery Resilience Facility
implement economic adjustment programs
implement reforms undertaken own initiative
Support delivered wide range providers including international organizations public bodies private sector Commission’s staff
Technical Support Instrument - European Commission (europa.eu)
About World Bank Croatia
World Bank partner Croatia over 30 years During period Bank supported more than 50 projects totaling almost $5 billion provided knowledge technical assistance help strengthen institutions support policymaking through more than 330 reports studies
World Bank currently provides knowledge technical assistance financing areas digital transformation green transition economy justice service delivery education business environment land administration science technology post-earthquake reconstruction key health education facilities social policy deinstitutionalization pension system modernization long-term care public administration