The Erzsébet Programme is Hungary’s most prominent social programme of the past two decades.

The initiative launched last year aims to give the opportunity for socially disadvantaged children, pensioners, large families and individuals with disabilities to go on holiday under preferential terms. The programme is implemented from profits derived from the distribution of Erzsébet vouchers that employers may provide their employees with for meals and catering services as benefit over and above their basic pay. As such, it does not represent an additional burden on the Hungarian state budget.

Even in the period of harsh economic crisis afflicting the European Union, the programme has provided a concrete solution in order to give access for socially disadvantaged layers of society to recreational activities. The Ministry of Public Administration and Justice responsible for its coordination therefore deeply regrets the fact that the European Commission’s latest decision in connection with the Erzsébet programme threatens the programme’s financial resources.

This year, the programme is helping a total of 135 thousand people, including 72 thousand children of whom 40 thousand will attend Erzsébet Holiday Camps. Similarly to last year, the holiday colonies will be organised in various locations and several phases over a ten-week period starting on 17 June and closing on 24 August. The current season was opened on 15 June by Minister for Human Resources Zoltán Balog who also told a press conference that this year’s camps will involve talent competitions for children, thus helping young people recognise the extra talents they may have in such fields as media, arts and sports. This summer, furthermore, reduced rate vacation opportunities will be extended to disabled people as well, of whom several hundred will be given the chance to attend special Erzsébet Holiday Camps.

Spokesperson Anna Nagy previously said the initiative could be a European success story because a social programme with such a high ratio of funding available to such a great number of people is a global rarity.

Last year, more than 100 thousand people, including over 30 thousand children, had the opportunity to enjoy a holiday at Lake Balaton or in other locations around the country for a minimal fee. The success of the programme is also demonstrated by the fact that this year, the number of people participating has increased by several thousand.

(Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)