Food Bank: Rising cost of living and inefficient social protection have led many families into a state of insecurity

International Family Day is celebrated at a time when numerous studies and everyday practice show that families in Montenegro are facing a serious crisis. Economic pressures, rising costs of living and an insufficiently efficient social protection system have led many families to a state of insecurity and struggle for the basic conditions of a dignified life.

This was stated in a statement by the Food Bank on the occasion of International Family Day.

The foundation said that social policy today is not adapted to the real needs of families.

"Even families in which both parents are employed and have average incomes often cannot reach the value of the consumer basket. The position of those who live with minimal or no regular income is particularly worrying, while adequate and systemic support measures are lacking. Children pay the highest price of this crisis. Children who grow up in households where there is uncertainty regarding the availability and quality of food have poorer general health, poorer educational outcomes and fewer chances for a quality future. The experiences of numerous countries show that school meal programs for children from low-income families produce extremely positive results - they improve health, education and increase the chances of escaping poverty in the long term," the Food Bank said in a statement.

It is stated that social protection mechanisms, including material benefits, must play a key role in protecting children and families from poverty and its consequences. Well-designed and adequately funded social protection systems are not a cost, but an investment in a more stable and just society, the foundation assesses.

"The Food Bank of Montenegro believes that it is necessary to urgently consider and introduce measures that can significantly improve the quality of life of families:

establishing a minimum guaranteed income below which no one should live, while covering basic living expenses such as food, electricity and rent

automatic adjustment of social benefits to inflation so that assistance does not lose value

creating a single register of social benefits for greater efficiency and prevention of abuse

Providing a free school package for children from vulnerable families until the end of their education, including textbooks, transportation, one meal a day and basic extracurricular activities

harmonization of child allowance with the family's property and income census, which will monitor the child's growth and development

Subsidizing electricity, water and rent bills for the most vulnerable households

development of a "supported work" program, i.e. more flexible working hours that would enable parents to work part-time hours in line with family obligations

free or subsidized places in kindergartens and extended care for children from lower-income families, so that parents, especially single mothers, have the opportunity to find employment

Simplification of procedures, greater accessibility and a more humane approach to the social protection system, because people should not have to wait months for help.

The essence of these proposals is not just allocating more money, but more responsible and smarter use of existing funds, with a gradual increase in investments where they have the greatest impact – in children, basic needs, and employment.

"The family must be the foundation of social policy, not the last link in the system. A society that does not protect the family and children endangers its own future in the long term," the statement said.

In 1993, the UN General Assembly decided to declare May 15th as the International Day of Families, wishing to highlight the importance of family life and the family as the basic social unit.