Iceland’s Act on the Integration of Services in the Interest of Children’s Prosperity (“Prosperity Act”) seeks to enhance child well-being by ensuring the provision of comprehensive services to children and families early in the policy process.
The formal development of Iceland’s Prosperity Act, aimed at enhancing children’s well-being, began with a 2018 conference involving politicians, NGOs, and the public. A declaration was signed, and a parliamentary committee was formed, with the Ministry of Education and Children leading the initiative. In 2019, open consultations were held, and an economic impact assessment was conducted before the bill was presented to Parliament. The Prosperity Act was unanimously approved in June 2021 and became effective on January 1, 2022.
The Act’s primary objective is to provide comprehensive services to children and families through early intervention. Each child in need of support receives a coordinator who offers guidance on available services. The services are organized into three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary level includes universal services such as education and health, with coordinators providing early assessments. The secondary level offers individualized support via Case Managers who develop and oversee tailored support plans. Tertiary services focus on specialized support to prevent any threat to a child’s well-being, with all services prioritizing the child’s best interests.
To monitor the Act’s effectiveness, the Icelandic government implemented a dashboard tracking five dimensions of child well-being: Education, Quality of Life, Health and Wellbeing, Security and Protection, and Participation and Social Connection. This data aids in project prioritization, funding allocation, and policy-making.
An economic analysis commissioned during the drafting process indicated that the Act would reduce adverse childhood experiences and enhance coping abilities in children. Although the changes’ cost-effectiveness will manifest over several years, the legislation is projected to be economically beneficial, offering returns similar to other government investments. The Ministry has established a department for ongoing data collection and evaluation to refine strategies and assess effectiveness, demonstrating the long-term value of investing in early childhood services.
