Regional social policy experts of The Future of the Welfare State in the Western Balkans network, with the support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, prepared the Regional study Social Protection in the Western Balkans – Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been met by already weak social protection systems in the Western Balkans, while the broader social impacts are likely to be both severe and long-lasting. Some positive lessons can be drawn from the initial social policy response by regional governments, while at the same time a number of largely negative observations can be made, from which lessons can be learned.

The first part of the Study is a brief overview of the most important social protection measures taken during the COVID-19 crisis across the Western Balkans. The second part proposes short-term social protection priorities, including emergency measures to be implemented in the event of a second wave. The third part focuses on a broader agenda for transitioning to sustainable reform of social protection across the region, revisiting the document Future-Oriented Welfare State Policies in the Western Balkans produced by the Network in December 2019.

This Study has been authored by Professor Gordana Matković and Dr. Paul Stubbs with the support of Žarko Šunderić. It is based on a review of literature and, most importantly, information provided by members of The Future of the Welfare State in the Western Balkans network.

The study Social Protection in the Western Balkans – Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis can be downloaded here.