Across Europe, many parents struggle to balance work with caring responsibilities. Long hours, high childcare costs and limited flexibility can make it hard to stay in employment – especially for women.

In Trento, Italy, the Service Voucher scheme is a key response to this challenge. Funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and identified as a strategic priority for the 2021–2027 programming period, the scheme helps families access affordable childcare and education services. First introduced in 2005, it continues to reflect the province’s long-term commitment to supporting working parents.

Making childcare more accessible

The vouchers cover part of the cost of educational and care services for children aged between 3 months and 14 years – and up to 18 years for children with disabilities. Families contribute a small percentage of the total cost themselves, with the rest covered by the scheme.

Support is targeted at working mothers and those entering employment or training. In single-parent families, fathers in similar situations can also apply. By helping with childcare costs, the vouchers remove one of the biggest barriers to finding and keeping a job.

A solution that works for families

For Claudia, who works full time in a production company in Trentino, the vouchers meant she could continue her career. With both parents working and local nursery hours incompatible with their schedules, she was close to giving up her job.

‘I was reluctantly planning to leave my job to look after my daughter,’ she says. ‘The local nursery’s hours didn’t match my schedule, and private options were too expensive.’

Then Claudia found out about the Service Vouchers. ‘Thanks to the service vouchers, I managed to keep my job, and for this I thank the province and all the people who supported me before and during the use of the vouchers,’ she says. ‘I also go to work knowing I'm leaving my daughter in good hands.’

A long-term investment in inclusion

From the beginning, the scheme has paid special attention to families with low incomes or those in vulnerable situations. By ensuring dedicated access to childcare, it helps reduce inequalities and lowers the risk of social exclusion.

Under the 2021–2027 funding period alone, around 8,800 people have already benefited from the scheme. With a dedicated budget of €42 million – over a quarter of the province’s total ESF+ allocation – Trento is continuing its long-term investment in supporting families and building a more inclusive labour market.