Kragujevac, 15 May 2024

New Support Systems: Better Quality of Life for Users and Caregivers

Project "Empowerment and quality inclusion through assistance, information and support for independent life in the local community" in Kragujevac, supported by the EU with 25,241 Euros through EU PRO Plus programme, aims to improve social inclusion of persons with disabilities. Through joint efforts of the Centre for Development of Social Care Services "Kneginja Ljubica" and the Centre for Family Accommodation and Adoption a respite care service has been initiated while day care service for 35 children with disabilities has been upgraded. Additionally, it enhanced home help and mobile team support services for 40 adults with disabilities, focusing on promoting independent living and providing support during emergencies.

This initiative was part of a broader effort of the EU PRO Plus programme to enhance social services in 23 local self-governments across Šumadija and Western Serbia, and Southern and Eastern Serbia. With total funding of 521,629 Euros, the programme supported 20 projects aimed at improving the quality and sustainability of local social services. The majority of these projects were implemented by civil society organisations (CSOs) either independently or in partnership with local self-governments (LSGs), while a smaller number of projects were carried out by LSGs in partnership with CSOs. The focus of the projects was on providing adequate social services to children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Additionally, they aimed to reduce the negative impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable groups and improve the resilience of public institutions and other social service providers.

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