Bulgaria holds consultations on new Social Support Code

The Economic and Social Council (ESC) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy have launched public consultations to discuss a potential Social Support Code in Bulgaria. The initiative aims to reform the current fragmented system of laws and regulations to improve the efficiency of public resource distribution.

Key discussions focus on the risks and benefits of consolidating social legislation into a single code, the adequacy of social payments, and the coordination of various forms of support. Experts note that despite a record social policy budget exceeding 2.1 billion euros, approximately 29% of Bulgarian citizens remain at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

The proposed reform is built on five principles: adequacy, targeting, timeliness, transparency, and sustainability. Participants in the debate include government ministers, trade unions, employers, and civil society organizations, seeking to create a more integrated and effective social assistance model.