On the first day of spring, March 26, 2026, the first meeting of the interdepartmental working group took place at the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic, where the mechanisms for implementing the new state benefit "Bala Irysy" were discussed, as reported by the ministry's press service.
Minister Kanat Sagynbaev opened the meeting and emphasized in his address that the initiative to introduce a monthly benefit for children from birth to three years old, "Bala Irysy," was proposed by the country's president. This measure aims to address pressing socio-economic issues and contribute to the creation of a strong, educated, and competitive Kyrgyzstan.
The provision of benefits for children under three years old, as noted, is expected to improve conditions for child care, enhance the quality of nutrition, and promote the full development of young children. Additionally, this benefit will partially compensate for the temporary loss of family income during the period of child care.
Sagynbaev also clarified that children with disabilities who are already receiving social benefits, as well as children from low-income families receiving assistance under the "Uý-bülöge kömək" program, will be eligible for the "Bala Irysy" benefit.
The working group consists of representatives from various government agencies and experts from non-governmental organizations. During the discussion, participants reviewed the main approaches to creating effective and transparent mechanisms for providing this assistance.
Experts warn that inadequate nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life can have long-term negative effects on children's cognitive development, their educational achievements, and future employment. This, in turn, may impact labor productivity and the overall economic development of the country.
