Round table on the topic “Modernization of social services – the way forward”

Within the framework of the project financed by the European Union “Support for the modernization and deinstitutionalization of social services”, organized and supported by the European delegation and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, a closing event was held at which a round table was organized on the topic: “Modernization of social services – the way forward”. The speakers were Mr. Stefan Hudolin, Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation, Mr. Enver Huseyin, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Ms. Sanela Shkrkelj, Deputy in the Parliament of the RNM, Mr. Goran Gerasimovski, Mayor of the Municipality of Centar, Ms. Marija Marijanaku, Project team leader and Prof. Dr. Romel Velev, President of the Red Cross of RNM. At the round table, the participants talked about the achieved results within the four-year project, the reform changes in social protection for the establishment of new services, opportunities for the development of services, as well as the creation of new opportunities for economic activation of vulnerable target groups for the delivery of social services.

The president of the Red Cross of RNM emphasized the established social services of the national society for care and assistance to older people and persons with disabilities which covered a large number of vulnerable target groups of the population for purpose of improving quality of life in the communities. He particularly highlighted the continuous investment in delivering quality services to final beneficiaries. He also stressed the importance of the introduction of innovative development social services, such as the “Emergency Button” service intended to help the older people and people with disabilities, special transport for people who are in a life-threatening condition, as well as the future plans for opening a social medical center.