ESN members from Croatia identify the most important common challenges facing social services, relating to three principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and recommendations for the 2023 European Semester.

Development of a national legal framework with a wider definition of a child at risk of poverty or social exclusion focused on a preventative approach that guides local authorities in the implementation of services for children is recommended to support families in poverty. Legislative reforms that address the issues of insufficient capacity of residential services nationally and the lack of community-based services in rural areas are needed to improve the attractiveness of working in the long-term care sector with better salaries.  A social housing plan and improved funding for local authorities should be developed to determine and improve the planning and maintaining of social housing.

The full report, with cross-country analysis of all the participating countries is available here.

Download ESN's analysis and recommendations to improve the social situation in Croatia here.