Evaluation of the "Focus on the Child" Programme in Hungary

Between 2021 and 2023, HÉTFA Research Institute evaluated the ESF-funded project ‘FAGYI,’ which focuses on early childhood development in disadvantaged Hungarian regions. This initiative, led by the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta and a consortium of 18 organizations, is part of the government’s ‘Long-term programme for emerging settlements’ (FETE). It was implemented in phases, starting with 30 villages in 2019 and expanding to 183 by 2025.

The program’s goal is to mitigate the effects of marginalization and poverty, specifically addressing child inclusion through comprehensive social work and family support. The evaluation, conducted in multiple phases, used a mixed methodology that combined qualitative and quantitative approaches. The data collection included household surveys, interviews with professionals, and case studies in selected locations.

Preliminary findings reveal that children in the target areas lag behind national averages in several developmental areas, including birth weight and language skills. Despite these challenges, early results show progress, particularly in motor and neural development and vocabulary. Improvements were also noted in parenting activities, though lasting changes in parental attitudes are yet to be confirmed.