Let the special time of Christmas come to us calmly, in good spirit, let it be an opportunity to reflect on, but also to relax from our daily concerns and responsibilities - wishes the Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg. Other management personnel of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy join the wishes.

Exceptional guests visited the Ministry of Family and Social Policy on Friday. The representatives of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association brought with them the Peace Light of Bethlehem – a symbolic fire lit up at the Cave of Nativity in Bethlehem. The Peace Light was handed over to Minister Marlena Maląg.

The government will allocate PLN 200 million for a new multi-annual programme dedicated to the elderly. Non-governmental organisations, among others, will be eligible to apply for co-financing projects aimed towards the elderly. The call for proposals under the government programme “Active+” will begin at the beginning of the next year.

On 11 December 2020, a “Family in Focus” conference organized by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy was held for the representatives of local government authorities. Representatives of the government, the Family Council and the business world discussed the proposal for a new approach to building the happiness of Polish families.

These approaching Christmas will be different from what we are used to. For many people, apart from the loneliness caused by the pandemic, it also proved to be a financial challenge. The Solidarity Assistance Corps for the Seniors were just established in support of the people who are the most in need. It entails nearly one million tons of food and a variety of items that will reach the elderly, homeless or single mothers.

The call for proposals for two programmes in support of persons with disabilities and their carers under Solidarity Fund has just started.

The best social economy entities and local government units awarded under this year's edition of the Social and Solidarity Economy Seal of Quality competition, organised by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy.

The last weeks of the Solidarity Assistance Corps for the Seniors have demonstrated that Polish citizens are ready to help one another in difficult situations. – Therefore, by the initiative of Polish President Andrzej Duda, we decided to extend the SACS with the so-called volunteer work of the convalescents. People who have undergone coronavirus infection can safely help e.g., residents of social welfare homes – says Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy.

The Ministry of Family and Social Policy presented the results of the 2021 edition of Toddler+ competition for municipalities to establish new places of care. Due to the programme, nearly 6.2 thousand municipal places of care for children up to the age of 3 will be created in municipalities, in a total of 190 publicly owned care facilities, i.e. nurseries, children's clubs and daily carers owned by local governments.

The negative effects of the pandemic are undoubtedly experienced in numerous areas of the economy. These difficulties are also experienced by the entities which employ mostly persons with disabilities. These include, among others, occupational therapy workshops, vocational activity establishments and social economy entities. – I wholeheartedly encourage you to support the work of persons with disabilities. We can, for instance, order the meals or Christmas ornaments they have produced – appeals Marlena Maląg, the Minister of Family and Social Policy.