The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UoMM) will actively participate in creating the conditions necessary for the deinstitutionalization and transition to independent living of children and young people without parental care, while supporting local governments whose role in improving social care for this vulnerable group must be significantly strengthened in the period ahead.
The deinstitutionalization of the child care system involves a transition from the outdated model of long-term care for children in large institutions to a modern approach that prioritizes family-based and community-based care.
The Deinstitutionalization Strategy for the period 2025–2028, as a comprehensive national strategic document, envisages that local governments increase funding for community-based support services by 50 percent and ensure that every municipality provides at least three such services.
The Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UOMM) Mišela Manojlović emphasizes that it is particularly important to develop supported housing services as a key component of helping young people without parental care transition to independent living.
“This service is still in the development and pilot phase in only a few municipalities, and considerable efforts will be required to ensure its effective implementation in practice. Another area that requires serious attention is the promotion of foster care in order to increase the number of non-relative foster families. It is also necessary to introduce specialized training and support for foster carers looking after children with developmental disabilities. The state is planning to establish regional family placement and foster care centres, which would take over responsibilities related to the assessment, supervision, and support of foster families. Every child placed in a family is one less child living in an institution,” Manojlović stated.
In line with the recommendations arising from expert legal and psychosocial analyses, the Union of Municipalities is preparing guidelines for municipalities, common performance indicators, and recommendations for the implementation of deinstitutionalization measures, supported housing services, and the transition to independent living.
The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UoMM) is currently implementing a project that provides psychological and mentoring support to six young people who are leaving the Children’s Home this year. In one case, the project also includes assistance with housing through the rental of accommodation.
- UOM bank account for donations supporting young people without parental care:
530-533471-03.
Union of Municipalities of Montenegro,
Avda Međedovića 138.
- For international donations:
Swift code MNBAMEPG
IBAN CODE: ME25530005130005002095
NAME: Zajednica opština Crne Gore
