EU supports Social policy reforms in Montenegro

EU supports Social policy reforms in Montenegro

"Montenegro faces a dual challenge: while social needs are intensifying - particularly in light of an ageing population and persistent labour market vulnerabilities - available resources remain limited. This reality calls for smarter and more targeted interventions," said Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro at the opening of the press conference "Social Policy Reform for the Benefit of Citizens."

The conference was organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, with the support of the EU project "EU Support for Employment and Social Policy in Montenegro", implemented through the IPA II Annual Action Document for Montenegro for the year 2020.

The aim of this event was to utilise the exchange of experiences and the presentation of reform measures to help establish a comprehensive system of social and child protection that supports all citizens, from early childhood through to active participation in community life.

In his address, Serri welcomed the adoption of three key strategies in December 2024, among them the Strategy for Social and Child Protection, the Strategy for Deinstitutionalisation, and the Strategy for the Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence.

"We are pleased that Montenegro has included these priorities of social reform in the Reform Agenda it has prepared within the framework of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. This means that progress in this sector will be rewarded with significant financial support from the EU," stated Serri.

Ivana Šuković, Head of the Directorate for the Development of Social and Child Protection Services at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, explained that deinstitutionalisation as a process entails a systematic transition from institutional care services to services that support the user's life in the community.

"This involves establishing community-based services, ensuring their financial sustainability, adequately preparing users for this process of deinstitutionalisation or transition, and providing appropriate support to the users," Šuković said.