Ministry for Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia has approved financial support for the operation Centre for Managing DeInstitutionalisation – CMDI (CUDI in Slovenian). This initiative, based on the Slovenian Strategy for Deinstitutionalization in Social Welfare for 2024–2034, aims to transition of people from institutional care to community-based services.
Deinstitutionalization (DI) is the process of transforming institutions for people with disabilities and providing diverse community services as an alternative. These services enable personalized care, living in one’s own home, and the fulfillment of human rights for people with disabilities. DI is a long-term and complex societal transformation involving the restructuring of large institutions, establishing new services, improving living conditions, enhancing quality of life, training staff, engaging communities, and implementing structural changes in social policy and legislation. It also requires collaboration among stakeholders and raising awareness among professionals and the public.
In Slovenia, DI has a long history. New community services have been developed in the past, some institutions have undergone partial transformation, and significant knowledge has been accumulated through various research projects. This investment builds on past efforts and represents the first systematic and national-level approach to DI. It envisions the coordinated and high-quality introduction of DI in the care of children and adults with disabilities in Slovenia, as mandated by numerous international, European, and Slovenian documents. The investment will specifically support the implementation of the Strategy for Deinstitutionalization 2024–2034 (StaDI 2024–2034).
The investment aims to provide professional support, monitor the DI process, and coordinate activities among various DI stakeholders, including institutions, NGOs, social work centers, communities, professional chambers, educational institutions, and ministries.
At the national level, the investment seeks to:
- Ensure organizational support for the Ministry of Solidarity-Based Future in coordinating efforts across sectors, departments, and providers.
- Facilitate collaboration and harmonization of activities among all stakeholders.
At the local level, the investment focuses on:
- Providing field support, education, and counseling to key stakeholders, including users and their families, institutional employees, community service providers, social work centers, and municipalities.
Goals of the investment
- Maintain inclusion of the current number of people with disabilities in full-time institutional care while ensuring housing in residential groups or smaller apartments with the support of multidisciplinary teams for at least a quarter of residents by 2028, as outlined in the National Social Protection Program 2022–2030 and StaDI 2024–2034.
- Establish the Center for Deinstitutionalization (CDI) at the Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia by 2028 to provide professional support and coordinate efforts among stakeholders in Slovenia’s social welfare system.
- Strengthen capacities and improve skills of involved actors by training at least 300 professionals and developing five social work manuals by 2028.
- Promote human rights for people with disabilities, allowing them to live in communities and decide where and with whom they live. This will be supported by at least 15 multidisciplinary teams established progressively from 2024 to 2028.
- Combat discrimination and stigma against people with disabilities by raising awareness about DI concepts and human rights through continuous updates on the website, monthly updates on social media, and participation in 25 professional events by 2028.
Investment details
Implementation period: April 1, 2024, to October 31, 2028.
Funding:
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- Total investment: €3,176,051.25
- European Union contribution: 76.73% (€2,437,095.28)
- Republic of Slovenia contribution: 23.27% (€583,440.61)
Related Links
- Establishment of the Deinstitutionalization Guidance Centre (CUDI) | GOV.SI
- Slovenian Strategy for Deinstitutionalization in Social Welfare 2024–2034
This project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus and the Republic of Slovenia.
