The Network of Organizations for Children of Serbia (MODS), in cooperation with the Republic Institute for Social Protection, organized the event “Caring Communities – Towards the Systemic Sustainability of Long-Term Care” in Belgrade on May 21, 2026.
The event gathered representatives of institutions, civil society organizations, experts, service providers, and members of the academic community with the aim of opening a dialogue on sustainable systemic solutions for supporting people in need of continuous and long-term care.
In the opening session, participants were addressed by Marina Drašković Simović, Director of the Republic Institute for Social Protection, and Jasmina Miković, representative of the MODS Board of Directors, who emphasized the importance of developing sustainable and accessible community-based support services, strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, and introducing systemic changes that contribute to a better quality of life for people in need of long-term support.
Prototype of a Long-Term Care Insurance Model Presented
During the event, Saša Stefanović, Director of MODS, presented the results of the work of the System Innovation Lab (SIL) and the prototype of a long-term care insurance model developed through the “Caring Communities” project. Through a process of system mapping and analysis of the existing support system, the Lab brought together representatives of different sectors with the goal of developing innovative and sustainable solutions for financing long-term care services.
The presented prototype highlighted the need to establish a model that would ensure more stable financing of support services in families and communities, improve service accessibility, and strengthen the connection between the social protection and healthcare systems. Particular attention was given to the challenges faced by families and informal caregivers, including financial pressure, limited service availability, and insufficient systemic support.
The event also featured a presentation by Slavica Milojević from the Republic Institute for Social Protection on the challenges and perspectives of informal caregivers, while Ana Knežević from the organization Evo ruka presented the perspective of parents and the experiences of families in need of continuous support.
The “Caring Communities — Transnational Approaches for Multiple Transformative Changes in the Homecare Sector and Community-based Development of the Danube Region.” project is supported within the transnational cooperation program for the Danube Region and involves 25 partners from 9 countries from January 2024 to June 2026.