Social Protection and Social Inclusion in the Balkans

The European Commission has published a series of reports on Social Protection in the Balkans. 

Over the past two years, the countries of the Western Balkans have moved closer to the EU.  In December 2007, the European Council reaffirmed that "the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union".  The aim of this series of studies is to inform the process of the accession perspective of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as Kosovo under UNSC Resolution 1244/99 in the area of social protection and social inclusion. The studies provide an analysis of the social protection systems, the extent and pattern of poverty and social exclusion and the envisaged plans for reform of pension and healthcare systems of each country.  An overall synthesis report has been prepared, as well as individual reports for Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia.  Click here to review the reports.

The EC has also published a study on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The purpose of this study is to inform the forthcoming negotiations for the accession of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the EU in the area of social protection and social inclusion, and in particular contribute to the Joint Inclusion Memorandum. It provides an analysis of the current system of social protection in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with particular emphasis on the problems of social exclusion.

Throughout, the study has addressed main institutional and legislative structures of the social protection system, as well as current reforms and challenges. A particular emphasis within the analysis was also given to the cross-cutting issues, such as gender, ethnic communities and vulnerable communities. Click here to review the report.