The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UOM) calls on the competent institutions to consider a proposal to repurpose the “Jadranska straža” villa in Bijela, as an interim and short-term solution, into a transitional accommodation and support center for young people leaving institutional care. This proposal, which stems from an expert analysis of the legal framework governing the care of children and young people without parental care prepared for the needs of the UOM, could represent an important transitional step toward the full implementation of the deinstitutionalization reform in Montenegro and the safeguarding of the right of this vulnerable group of children and young people to a safe, dignified, and well-planned transition to independent living. It is important to emphasize that this would serve only as a temporary solution until the necessary legal, human resource, and infrastructural conditions are established for the effective and equitable provision of supported housing services throughout Montenegro.
The “Jadranska straža” villa is located in the immediate vicinity of the “Mladost” Children’s Home and, according to available information, already has apartment-style accommodation capacities, as well as supporting facilities such as a kitchen, hairdressing and beauty salons, and common areas that could easily be adapted to support the development of independent living and work-related skills. Considering the current status of the facility, which does not have an officially defined purpose, as well as the growing need for post-institutional support services, we believe that the proposed repurposing would be a rational, sustainable, and socially responsible solution.
This facility could operate either as a separate organizational unit of the “Mladost” Children’s Home or as an independent social welfare institution specialized in providing support to young people during their transition to independent living. Renovation would involve converting rooms into self-contained residential units—studio apartments equipped with bathrooms and kitchenettes—while common areas would be reconstructed to serve as classrooms, counseling spaces, and offices for professional support staff. The facility should also be adapted to meet safety and accessibility standards, including access for persons with disabilities. With relatively modest interventions, the building could be transformed to meet the needs of young people in the initial phase of their transition to independence. Funding for this solution could be secured through existing resources of the relevant ministry, local governments, as well as international funds dedicated to social inclusion and the development of social services.
We would particularly like to emphasize that the repurposing of this facility must not take the form of re-institutionalization, as this would be contrary to the principles of the deinstitutionalization of care for children without parental care, a goal to which our society is committed. The solution must have a clearly defined time frame and include mandatory programs for preparing young people for independent living, as well as support for their transition to other forms of supported housing. The objective of this intervention is therefore not to create a new institution, but to make effective use of an existing facility in order to ensure continuity of care for the most vulnerable group of young people—those who, upon leaving institutional care, have nowhere to go until the necessary conditions are created for the proposed systemic measures to be formally recognized and fully implemented in practice.
At the same time, this intervention must be accompanied by intensive efforts to create the conditions for the systematic implementation of supported housing services across all municipalities. This includes amendments to the legislative framework, the training of professional staff, and the development of a network of licensed service providers.
- 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
