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European Social Fund Plus
Project2024-10-08

Lithuania’s path to community integration for people with disabilities

A smiling participant in the project
Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS

For decades, adults with disabilities in Lithuania – many of them with mental or intellectual disabilities – have lived in institutional care, separated from their communities. 

To change this, the national Agency for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities launched the project ‘From care to possibilities’, creating new forms of community-based services. 

Co-financed by the European Social Fund, the pilot project introduced these services in 36 municipalities, paving the way for a national shift from institutional care to community integration.

Moving out of social care homes on the path to independent life

Through the project, people with mental or intellectual disabilities moved out of social care homes and into homes and apartments integrated into local neighbourhoods. These community-based living arrangements allow people to live more independently while still receiving the support they need.  

The goal is to help them participate fully in social and economic life. Donata, one of the participants, shares her experience: ‘I enjoy living in sheltered housing because it feels like home. As my confidence grew, I started thinking about returning to work. Before my illness, I worked as a tailor, so I reached out to my former workplace and applied to return. They accepted!’

Beyond housing: employment and decision-making

The project goes beyond providing a place to live. Social workshops help people with disabilities develop essential work skills, such as planning their day, commuting, and interacting with colleagues. Over 600 people have taken part in these workshops, with 50 successfully transitioning into open market employment.

The project also teaches budgeting and decision-making. Participants learned to manage their finances, reduce debts, reconnect with their families, and navigate public services. 

Supported decision-making is another key part of the programme. This service ensures that people with disabilities retain their legal capacity and are empowered to make their own decisions, with the help of trained social workers. 

As Nedas, a participant in the decision-making service, proudly states, ‘It's very important to me that I can vote now.’ 

A shift in mindset: creating an inclusive society

Lithuania’s reform is also about changing attitudes in society. The social workshops introduced by the project have helped local communities to see the abilities of people with disabilities and recognise their right to participate in social life.  

The project also strengthened the skills of social workers and non-governmental organisations supporting people with mental and intellectual disabilities. Gytis Baltrūnas, coordinator of institutional care reform, highlighted that success comes from creating respectful, equal relationships between people with disabilities and their caregivers: ‘It is not the borders that determine the quality of life of people, but a sincere, listening, equal relationship’.

Real impact: health and quality of life

The quality of services led to a significant decrease in hospitalisation rates for people with mental disabilities – from 29 cases per 1000 service recipients at the start of the project in 2020, to 11 cases per 1000 by the end of 2023.

With nearly 2000 people benefiting from the project—twice as many as initially expected—the initiative shows that, with the right support, people with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities can lead fulfilling lives in the community. They can pursue employment, achieve personal goals, and build meaningful social connections.

Through community integration and with the support of the European Social Fund, Lithuania is creating a society where everyone can contribute and belong.

Project details

Project name
From care to possibilities: community-based services development
Countries
Lithuania
Organisation
Agency of the Rights of Person with Disability under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
Participants
1793
Project start
2020
Project end
2023
Internet and social
Contact details
Lina Gulbinė
lina.gulbine@anta.lt
+37065052666
Total budget
EUR 17 111 649.11
EU Budget contribution
EUR 10 054 408.01