INTERMEDIATE BODY: AGENCY FOR SOCIAL ASSISTANCE HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME 2007 – 2013

2 Agency for Social Assistance as an Intermediate bod Agency for Social Assistance as an Intermediate body has: -responsibilities and management tasks of priority axis 5 of the “Human Resources Development” Operational Programme; The measures are aimed at social protection and social inclusion of vulnerable groups; Special emphasis is put on: - integration of vulnerable groups in the society. - deinstitutionalization; -child protection as a form of preventing the risk of social exclusion; - healthcare and access to health and social services; ACTIVITIES

3 5 priority axis of HRD OP ( incl. the last change of OP; 14.3 mln EUR to priority 5 ) mln. EUR % Calls for proposals launched for the period Contracts concluded863 Projects received1556 IMPLEMENTATION – PRIORITY 5

4 FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION – PRIORITY 5 (as of )

5 The focus in the National Strategy “Vision for deinstitutionalization of children in Bulgaria” is bringing out the children with intellectual and physical disabilities from residential homes and their accommodation in community-based social services. A substantial part of the projects for deinstitutionalization of children are implemented under the 5 th priority of Operational Programme “Human Resources Development”, co-financed by European Social Fund /ESF/. FOCUS

6 “LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND” – COMPONENT 1 “ Childhood for all” project“ Childhood for all” project, beneficiary State Agency for Child Protection Budget – 2.54 mln Euro The project aims at creating a sustainable model of transition from residential to community-based services for children with disabilities; Project includes review of the assessment of the abilities of each child, drawing up individual action plans, reintegration activities, selection and training of foster parents and training of social workers. National map of community-based services has been developed, which states which services and where to be disclosed. ONGOING OPERATIONS

7 “LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND” – COMPONENT 2 Budget – 19 mln BGN;Budget – 19 mln BGN; Beneficiaries – municipalities on which territory must be disclosed the social services;Beneficiaries – municipalities on which territory must be disclosed the social services; The infrastructure of these social services is subject to financing from other operational programmes with ERDF support;The infrastructure of these social services is subject to financing from other operational programmes with ERDF support; Displacement of the children to the new places for living and maintenance of the services;Displacement of the children to the new places for living and maintenance of the services; As of November 2013: 14 concluded contracts with municipalities; 17 projects with forthcoming contracting in December; 15 projects with forthcoming contracting in January 2014; ONGOING OPERATIONS

8 “FOSTERING” Budget – 7.67 mln Euro;Budget – 7.67 mln Euro; Beneficiary – Agency for Social Assistance in partnership with 83 municipalities;Beneficiary – Agency for Social Assistance in partnership with 83 municipalities; The aim is to be developed new decentralized model of foster care for children, accommodated in residential institutions and for children at risk;The aim is to be developed new decentralized model of foster care for children, accommodated in residential institutions and for children at risk ; Implementation of the project provides opportunities for these children to live in a suitable family environment and to have access to social services according to their individual needs. As of November 2013, approximately 850 children are placed in foster care. More than 780 foster families have been evaluated and approved. Candidate families are more than ONGOING OPERATIONS

9 “CHANCE FOR HAPPY FUTURE”, Component 1: 1 mln Euro Project “TARGET: family” is implemented by Ministry of Health; The operation aims to establish a sustainable model for deinstitutionalization of children, accommodated in the residential institutions for medical and social care at the age of 0 to 3 years. Activities: analysis and assessment of the needs, planning of the innovative integrated services. “CHANCE FOR HAPPY FUTURE”, Component 2: 2.4 mln Euro Beneficiaries: 8 pilot municipalities; The aim is to be created conditions for disclosure of the innovative social services and children to be accommodated there. As a result, eight residential institutions for medical and social care for children will be closed. The aim will be achieved through provision of integrated innovative social services for family support and prevention abandonment of children. ONGOING OPERATIONS

10 “LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY” Budget: 1.8 mln euro;Budget: 1.8 mln euro; The scheme lays the basis for deinstitutionalization of people, accommodated in institutions;The scheme lays the basis for deinstitutionalization of people, accommodated in institutions; Beneficiaries: municipalities; The aim of the operation is to ensure proper living for people leaving specialised children institutions and people with physical and mental disabilities through their accommodation in community based services;The aim of the operation is to ensure proper living for people leaving specialised children institutions and people with physical and mental disabilities through their accommodation in community based services; As of the moment: 21 contracts are under implementation for disclosing of 25 social servicesAs of the moment: 21 contracts are under implementation for disclosing of 25 social services ONGOING OPERATIONS

11 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!