Key facts
- Bulgaria has a program called 'Parents in Employment'.
- The scheme is EU-backed.
- It provides free daily childcare for eligible families.
- It also hires jobseekers as carers.
- The program started in 2023.
- It has found childcare solutions for 3,400 families.
- It has hired 3,500 carers.
The 'Parents in Employment' scheme in Bulgaria, an initiative supported by the European Union, is designed to facilitate parents' return to the workforce by providing free daily childcare. Concurrently, the program addresses unemployment by hiring jobseekers to serve as childcare providers. Since its commencement in 2023, the scheme has successfully established childcare arrangements for 3,400 families across the country. In parallel, it has created employment opportunities for 3,500 individuals who are now working as carers. This program tackles two significant societal challenges: enabling parents, particularly mothers, to re-enter or advance in their careers by removing childcare barriers, and offering stable employment to those seeking work. The model demonstrates a comprehensive approach to social and economic integration, highlighting the potential for integrated social programs to yield multiple benefits.