Social protection, a "springboard" to employment - How will social policies change in 2026?
The field of social protection remains one of the government's priorities for 2026, with the objective of strengthening the care system for the needy and building a sustainable support model that responds to the real needs of citizens.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has envisaged a series of measures aimed at improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable categories of society, which is based on three pillars: economic assistance, disability, and social services.
Referring to the draft law for the 2026 budget, it is expected that the number of families and individuals benefiting from the economic assistance scheme will decrease, reaching around 59 thousand beneficiaries in 2028, where for the years 2026-2027 it is expected to decrease by 1,000 families, as the aim is to employ working-age members of beneficiary families, turning economic assistance into a springboard for social and economic integration.
Regarding persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their caregivers, an increase in the number of beneficiaries to 98 thousand people is expected by 2028, compared to 94 thousand predicted in 2026. This increase, in implementation of the new disability assessment scheme, i.e. according to the bio-psycho-social model, based on World Health Organization standards, aiming for a fairer and more inclusive system that combines financial support with concrete care services.
In terms of employment of disadvantaged groups, according to the draft budget, the government aims to promote integration opportunities through social enterprises, where it is planned to employ an average of 150 people each year. This measure is supported by a fund of 80 million lek during the period 2026–2028.
Another goal is to increase the participation of people in social services financed by the social fund, where the number of beneficiaries is expected to increase from 11 thousand in 2025 to 15 thousand in 2028. In parallel, support for local self-government units will also be expanded, which will provide new territorial services for groups in need. By 2028, 61 municipalities will be part of this initiative, up from 43 planned in 2025, with an average fund of 400–450 million lek.
Meanwhile, for unemployed women with three or more children, where one of them is under the age of 5, it is foreseen that the period of childcare will be taken as an insurance period for the purpose of old-age and maternity pension. This scheme is expected to benefit around 8,700 women in 2028, with a fund of 870 million lek over the next three years.
Likewise, the number of women and girls in need reintegrated after treatment in social care institutions is expected to increase to 55 women and girls in 2028 from 47 women/girls predicted in 2025, as well as the number of Roma and Egyptian families benefiting from the economic assistance scheme from 2,400 families in 2025 to 2,700 families in 2028.
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