Zornitsa Rusinova calls for new social support model in Bulgaria

Zornitsa Rusinova, Chair of the Economic and Social Council, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Bulgaria’s social support model. She argues that current legislation is fragmented, with estimates of the number of applicable laws ranging from nine to approximately 25, creating administrative burdens for both citizens and officials.

Rusinova emphasized that despite increases in social assistance in recent years, poverty remains a significant issue, affecting nearly 29% of the population and one in three children. The proposed reform aims to move away from a mechanical consolidation of existing laws toward an individualized model tailored to specific human needs.

The goal of this new approach is to ensure resources are directed more effectively and to foster independence among recipients rather than creating long-term dependency on state aid. Key steps include more precise assessments of individual needs and improved information exchange between social services to reduce bureaucratic requirements.