The agenda included sharing of conclusions and practical experience among the organisations, working on policies and procedures for protection of children, participation of children and families, preparatory planning for accessing the effect of individual projects and the programme, planning of next steps and additional activities.
Colleagues from civil organisations working with children and families in Bulgaria as well as Eva Jecheva, Chair of the State Agency, Roberto Djerassi, Advisor to the Minister of Education and others joined the meeting at the end of the first day. The participants in the study visit presented what they have seen and learned about the Sure Start Programme in Hungary and shared conclusions and impressions of the group. A series of questions and answers followed, as well as numerous comments and a discussion about the need and the applicability of such programme in Bulgaria.
Sure Start programme aimed at overcoming child poverty and social exclusion of children who have limited access to services has been developed in the UK. It’s been realised since 1999 and some 500 local groups have been established. The programme is based on two main elements – social and emotional development, children’s health and improvement of skills and abilities as well as support for the family as a community.
The programme is based on inter-sectorial cooperation and engagement of civil organisations. The aim is to provide equal opportunities for children from birth to 6 years and overcoming of negative effects of child poverty on health, social wellbeing and provision of just care relevant to the needs of children at respective age.
The adaptation and introduction of the programme in Hungary begins in 2003-2004 and is based on the UK experience. It is piloted in 5 different places - city, isolated locations, places with high unemployment, small town, and village. Some 114 children’s houses are functioning with various forms of management – municipality, church based organisation or NGO, a coalition of municipality and NGO. The programme is part of Child protection legislation which guarantees sustainability and state funding.
