The human resources development programme in Hungary, covering 2014-2020, has made remarkable strides in enhancing social inclusion, education, and public health across Hungary.
A comprehensive approach to social inclusion and education
With €2.9 billion in EU funding, including €1.8 billion from the European Social Fund (ESF) and €1.1 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the programme focused on uplifting lives through:
- Educational support for over 600 000 children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Renovation and development of childcare and educational facilities, benefiting around 200 000 children.
- Providing qualification opportunities for 150 000 people and helping over 50 000 people enter the labour market.
Significant social and health achievements
Beyond education, the programme also contributed to health development, poverty reduction, and the fight against COVID 19:
- The initiative of moving 10 000 children and people with disabilities from institutional to community-based care.
- The purchase of over 12 million COVID vaccine doses.
In addition, a related programme provided 2.5 million boxes of food and essential materials to the most deprived, along with school supplies delivered every year to 100 000 disadvantaged children.
Economic impact and job creation
Bence Rétvári, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, highlighted the creation of one million new jobs, substantially reducing severe material deprivation in Hungary.
Andriana Sukova, Acting Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission, emphasised the quality of the outcomes and the reinforced collaborations with NGOs in Hungary.
