On the occasion of the International Day of Families, organized by the Ministry for Labour, Family and War Liberation Values, the Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection – KOMF emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in social services, with a focus on strengthening families and protecting children.

The family remains the most important environment for children’s growth, development, and well-being. Therefore, supporting families through social policies and sustainable services is essential for preventing the separation of children from their families and ensuring the rights of every child.

The State of Kosovo has continued to implement support schemes for families and children, such as social assistance for families living in poverty, child allowances, maternity support, and schemes for children with disabilities, which KOMF considers highly necessary for the economic and social empowerment of families. However, there continues to be a significant lack of programs and professional services aimed at supporting, strengthening, and empowering families to cope with various challenges.

Greater focus must be placed on families in vulnerable circumstances, including families with children with disabilities, families experiencing violence, families with children involved in hazardous work, as well as families that have children or members who use narcotic substances. These families need coordinated support, specialized services, and early interventions to prevent the worsening of situations and to guarantee children’s well-being.

Furthermore, it is essential to strengthen specialized services supporting alternative care for children without parental care, services for preventing child abandonment, as well as support for young people without parental care beyond the age of 18, so that they can integrate independently and safely into society.

KOMF emphasized that services for family strengthening and child protection at the municipal level, whether provided by Centres for Social Work or by licensed non-governmental organizations, have continuously faced a lack of sustainable funding. This situation has endangered the continuity and quality of services, placing many of them in a critical condition.

To ensure a functional and sustainable child protection system, it is essential for the central level to urgently intervene through sustainable funding, long-term planning, and the establishment of mechanisms that guarantee the provision of quality services for children and families in need.

KOMF reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the development of policies and practices that place the child and family at the centre, calling on responsible institutions to take concrete actions for a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable social protection system.