Bulgaria’s Labour and Social Policy Minister Nataliya Efremova has presented the results of the country’s reform of institutional care for children at a Hope and Homes for Children roundtable in New York on supporting children confined in conflict, held during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the Ministry’s press office said.
Of the 137 specialized institutions for children, 135 have been closed. The country’s last two residential facilities for medical and social care are still operating and are also due to close. As of the end of July 2026, they were home to 92 children with disabilities. In 2010, the number of children living in institutions exceeded 7,500, Efremova said.
She noted that over the past two decades, Bulgaria has undertaken a far-reaching reform of its child care system. At its core is the principle that the family is the best environment for the upbringing and development of every child.
The event also marked the anniversary of the launch of the Global Charter for Reform of Child Care, introduced in Sofia by former UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy. In recognition of its progress in closing institutions for children and its ability to share best practices, Bulgaria was invited to join the initiative.
“I am here to prove that this mission is entirely possible and achievable for any other country, provided there is the political will to carry out such a large-scale process,” Efremova said.
The Minister emphasized that the most significant outcome of the reform has been the shift toward family-based care. As of the end of July 2026, more than 3,600 children had been placed with relatives or close friends, while more than 1,300 were living with foster families. Children typically remain in foster care for around one to two years while social services work with their relatives toward reintegration into the family.
Bulgaria has also significantly improved measures to prevent child abandonment, support family reintegration, adoption, and foster care. Much of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy’s current efforts are focused on improving the quality of support provided, developing early childhood development services, ensuring timely intervention for children with disabilities, and preventing abandonment. More than 27,000 children have received support under the European Child Guarantee, including 79 children from Ukraine.
Participants in the discussion explored ways to support children affected by armed conflicts. Minister Efremova noted that all children from Ukraine who have arrived in Bulgaria have access to free social services. Special rehabilitation camps have also been organized, where nearly 100 Ukrainian children have received support to help them cope with the trauma of losing their parents. “Ukrainian children are living in a safe and supportive environment with access to services in Bulgaria,” Efremova added.
Social Policy Minister Presents Results of Child Care Deinstitutionalization in Bulgaria 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-25 09:21:00
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