GlavnaThe European Union has granted more than EUR 2,3 million to social welfare and health care institutions, civil society organizations, and local governments in Serbia under the Open Call for Proposals on “Support to de-institutionalization and social inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems.”

Ceremonial award of grants for 19 projects aimed to support persons with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems was held in Belgrade, “Palace Serbia” on June 4, 2014 attended by Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran Care and Social Issues, Government of the Republic of Serbia, Dr. Zlatibor Loncar, Minister of Health and H.E. Ambassador Michael Davenport, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia.

“Today, we believe that a little bit better life started for around 999 people. Not only for them but for their families and the environment where they live.We can say that the world has become today a little bit more human and fairer place to live. I want to thank our friends in the EU that have enabled all of this, but you too. Without you – all the money in the world would not have agreat sense,” said Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran Care and Social Issues, addressing the audience.

Minister of Health Dr. Zlatibor Lončar said the EU financial support would enable special psychiatric hospitals “Dr. Slavoljub Bakalovic” in Vrsac, and “Sveti Vracevi” in Novi Knezevac to take a part of their activities to a local level. Loncar said primary health care should be strengthened, above all, by training doctors to recognize the signs of mental disorders more easily.

“The fact is that the area of mental health is not among publicly debated topics very often. This particular area is of critical importance for individual, human, as well as the welfare of the whole society,” said Ambassador Michael Davenport, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia.

It is estimate that around 300.000 people in Serbia lives with mental disability.

Grants are awarded to 19 projects due to be implemented from June 2014 – December 2015. Aim of the projects is to enhance the position of residents in residential care institutions for persons with mental disability and mental illness and creation of conditions for their social inclusion in the local community.

Thanks to these projects 19 new services will be opened within the social welfare and health care systems in Serbia; 149 persons will undergo the process of de-institutionalization and start an independent life within community; 192 persons will be prepared for de-institutionalization, whereas 533 persons will be included in local services aimed at preventing institutionalization.

Since 2000, the EU has granted EUR144 million as a support to social sector, and invested EUR147 million in Serbian health care.

The implementation workshops aimed to present general rules for implementation and usage of EU donation was held in aftermath of ceremonial award.

The list of supported projects can be found here.