The project aimed to strengthen the quality and sustainability of community-based services for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in line with the principles of deinstitutionalisation and independent living. Its overarching goal was to empower organisations, institutions, and professionals to provide person-centred support in small group homes and community settings. Specific objectives included: SP1. Establishing tool for increasing the capacities of the organizations and institutions working with PWDs in small group homes and other forms of supported living and improvement of services/care - SP2. Creation of methodology for building the capacities of the caregivers, family members, staff working in independent living units or in small group homes with supported living SP3. Creation of online tool in form of Web platform for easing the process of navigating through the social system and provide learning opportunities for organizations which are working with the independent living of PWDs SP4. Developing and increasing the capacities for providing care and services to PWDs to caregivers, professional staff that works in institutions and organizations and family members of PWDs
We applied for this project to address the challenges arising from the deinstitutionalisation process in Macedonia. Part of this reform enables PWDs to move from living in the institutions into community-based living. This transition represents a significant achievement in human rights and aligns with the EU Disability Strategy 2021-2030, both the system and society are still not fully prepared. Caregivers and other professionals working with PWDs need new skills in order to foster their independence. Local communities lack awareness and readiness to accept PWDs as equals. CSOs are becoming private service providers but they require support to deliver high-quality social care. Specific needs: -Lack of skills the caregivers have in order to provide the social service supportive independent living of people with disabilities in the communities -Lack of skills the adults with disabilities (the one resettled from the institutions) have in self advocacy and improving the quality of their life -Lack of communication between the institutions on local and national level and the private service providers -Lack of understanding the community have for living of the adults with disabilities in their surroundings.