The need for social protection increased due to rising inequalities, in-work poverty, persisting unemployment and at the same time the ability of the Member States to provide inclusion policies and the needed social protection is limited originating from financial pressure. To solve this problem social reform is necessary; modernisation of social protection systems and services structured around an innovative social investment approach. This should help individuals, families and the society at large to adapt to current and future societal challenges and Member States to use their social budgets more effectively and efficiently.
Our approach
The innovative approach to social investment is relatively recent when considering the reform of the welfare state. It perceives the state as an investor rather than a spender by focusing its efforts on preparation and prevention instead of reparation. It includes investment in human capital (e.g. early childhood education and care, education and lifelong training), the efficient use of human capital (e.g. supporting women’s employment), and fostering greater social inclusion (granting labour market access to groups traditionally excluded).
Research on innovative ways of social investment presumes the following activities:
- identifying the problem;
- determining those policies which are in line with these characteristics of the new approach;
- evaluation of policy measures;
- building case studies, best practices from the identified cases, concentrating on affects and adaptability to identify innovative ways of implementation and financing of social welfare systems.
Besides, focus on gender dimension and generational justice is a horizontal requirement of this multidisciplinary research.
Leading Researchers
Gábor BALÁS, Bálint HERCZEG, Luca KOLTAI, Katalin BÖRDŐS, Ágnes SZABÓ-MORVA
Topics
Our research team has already gained experience in conducting multidisciplinary research relating to many parts of social investment, such as identifying spatial inequalities, local development projects, and evaluating welfare measures.
1. Spatial inequalities and social inclusion
The first step is to identify the problems. Spatial inequalities are at the same time causes and results of social developments. Our researchers have conducted research on many forms of spatial inequalities: inequalities in income (Major 2008), in human development index (Csite and Németh 2007) or in life expectancy (Csite and Németh 2008) at micro-regional level in Hungary. We have also conducting several research on social inclusion, and we are member of a consurtium supporting European regions on the better use of Social Progress Index. (https://eu-spi.eu/)
Related projects and publications:
Analysis concerning the impact of the Válaszút (Crossroad) Programme /Hungarian Reformed Church Aid (2018-2022)
Herczeg, B. (2017): Cost-benefit analysis of high school graduation. ISSN 2062-378X HETFA Working Paper No. 2017/24
Herczeg, B. (2017): Gender differences in the secondary school performance among Roma youth HETFA Working Paper no. 17.
Balás G.- Csite, A.- Herczeg, B.-Jakab, G.,(2016): Analysis of the Hungarian Safe Start Program HETFA Research Institute
Czaller, L. – Major, K. (2015): Agglomeration wage premium in Hungary, HÉTFA Working Papers No. 2015/13, Budapest, ISSN 2062-378X
Evaluation of Measures Targeting Social Inclusion (SROP Priority 5 interventions) National Development Agency, (2012)
Evaluation of developments serving Roma integration, National Development Agency, (2011)
Major, K. (2008): Income Disparities among Hungarian micro-regions: the Mover-Stayer model, Acta Oeconomica, Vol. 58 (2) pp. 127–156.
2. Case studies on local development projects as solutions
Several case studies about local economic development projects was delivered in Németh (2010), who investigated whether development projects at community level are permanently able to decrease long term unemployment in rural areas. These projects analyze characteristics from both market and state based solutions. This topic was supplemented by Megyesi (2012) through a research about institutions and networks in rural areas.
Related publications:
Zsár, Virág – Csite, András – Czaller, László (2016): Examination of the efficiency of villages [A falvak hatékonyságának vizsgálata]. Budapest. Brief English summary is available
Németh, N. (ed.), Csite A., Kabai G., Németh N. (2010) Helyi Kezdeményezésű Gazdaságfejlesztési Programok vizsgálata, értékelése. [Evaluating and analyzing “Locally Initiated Economy Development Program”, using case studies]
3. Effects of family policy measures
State provided welfare benefits influence the choices of the individuals, and among other, their choice to participate in the labour market. Lovász and Szabó-Movai (2013) investigate how childcare benefits influence mothers’ labour market choices. They show that the availability of subsidized childcare (kindergarten) affects Hungarian mothers’ labour market participation significantly but is not able to explain all the changes happens around the 3rd birthday of the child. According to their conclusion other factors like the separation preferences or availability of flexible job opportunities influence the mothers’ choice, as well, as the childcare and mother leave.
Related projects and publication:
Lovász, A. – Szabó-Morvai, Á. (2017): Institutional Context and the Effect of Childcare on Maternal Labor Supply – a Cutoff-Based Cross-Country Analysis. HÉTFA Working Papers No. 2016/20, Budapest, ISSN 2062-378X
Impact assessment of the Growing/Women’s Opportunities Programme (TÁMOP 5.3.1-B programme), Türr István Training and Research Institute (2016)
Lovász, A. – Szabó-Morvai, Á. (2015): Does Subsidized Childcare Matter for Maternal Labor Supply? A Credible Cutoff-Based Estimate at a Policy-Relevant Point. HÉTFA Working Paper No. 2015/9, Budapest, ISSN 2062-378X
4. Evaluating development policies
Our researchers led research programs about several evaluation programs related public policy:
- Roma (gipsy) integration
- employment measures and youth unemployment
- local effects of territorial cohesion policy
- dynamization of underdeveloped regions
- SME development
Related projects and publications:
Megyesi, Boldizsár (2016): Landscape after accession: the effects of agricultural and rural policies on farming – results of a case study conducted in Western-Hungary. HÉTFA Working Papers No. 2016/18, Budapest, ISSN 2062-378X
Balas,G. – Borbas, G. (2013): Expert evaluation network delivering policy analysis on the performance of Cohesion policy 2007-2013 Year 3 – 2013 Task 1: Job creation as an indicator of outcomes in ERDF programmes. Hungary. Summary available.
HÉTFA (2012): Evaluation of developments serving the Roma integration
5. Employment and social economy
Employment is one of the most important area of social cohesion. Our researchers have been involved in various project in the field of employment in previous years. These included projects measuring the impact of EU programmes and policies. We paid particular attention to the challenges of vulnerable groups in the labour market, and to the potential of the social economy.
Related projects and publications:
Methodological research for the efficient support of target groups of the Hungarian Public Employment Service. Ministry of Finance 2018-2019
Evaluation of active employment measures, Ministry of National Economy, (2018) with the Strategopolis Kft.
HETFA (2017), Work-life balance in Hungary, Commissioned by Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Measures Targeting the Improvement of Employment (2013), Ministry of National Development
Balas,G. – Borbas, G. (2013): Expert evaluation network delivering policy analysis on the performance of Cohesion policy 2007-2013 Year 3 – 2013 Task 1: Job creation as an indicator of outcomes in ERDF programmes. Hungary. Summary available.
HÉTFA (2012): Evaluation of developments serving the Roma integration