EU Employment and Skills’ Post

The most inspiring two days in Warsaw with European Child Guarantee Coordinators under the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union! Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of meeting Monika Sikora and Piotr Krasuski to formally hand over the amended decision for the ESF+ programme European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027. The amendment reflects the outcomes of the mid-term review and introduces important updates, including support for the deinstitutionalisation of foster care for Ukrainian children. This change will allow children to be relocated from orphanages to smaller, more family-like homes. I want to warmly thank the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union and the City of Warsaw for hosting the annual meeting of Child Guarantee Coordinators. We have been discussing provision of early childhood education and care, inclusive education, and school-based activities for children in need. Colleagues from all over EU share good practices, report on the progress achieved, and discuss how to overcome challenges. Among others, an impressive presentation by Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy on recent achievements in expanding provision of childcare while reducing the costs (in some counties by 90%!). Congratulations to Aleksandra Gajewska and her team, led by Tomasz Pactwa for the amazing work you are doing in addressing the needs of the children across Poland 🇵🇱! Inspirational talk by Prof. Paul Leseman showing that childcare can be organised in various ways, also by private providers – as long as there is a commitment to public values. The meeting was accompanied by a study walk in Praga district - what a commitment and dedication of service providers! Many thanks to my colleagues at EU Employment and Skills for organising this fantastic and timely meeting, Jiri Svarc, Krzysztof Stefan Iszkowski, PhD, Olga Jablonowska, Aneta Sobotka, PhD!