Gusinje: Multipurpose facility opens that "enables easier access to institutions and better quality services"

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography announced that today, in cooperation with UNDP and the Municipality of Gusinje, they officially opened a multi-purpose facility that will house regional units of the Center for Social Work, the Employment Agency, the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund and the Health Insurance Fund, as well as day care services for adults and elderly people with disabilities and adults and elderly people who need support in their everyday lives.

Minister Damir Gutić emphasized that the new facility represents much more than an infrastructure project, as it is a space that provides citizens with easier access to institutions and higher quality services.

"Our goal is not just to build facilities, but to build a system that is closer to citizens, more efficient, more humane and fairer. By investing in such projects, we are investing in people, their safety, dignity and quality of life," Gutić said, as announced by the Ministry.

The importance of establishing a day care service was particularly emphasized, which will "contribute to greater social inclusion of users, as well as provide additional support to their families". The facility is adapted to persons with disabilities and all citizens who need unhindered access to public services, which "further confirms the commitment to creating a society of equal opportunities and improving the accessibility of institutions to all citizens", the statement reads.

“Our partnership with the Ministry continues. Together, we are advancing and accelerating important reforms, including the modernization of the e-Social information system, unified disability assessment, and further establishment of social protection services across Montenegro,” said Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro.

"This is one of the most significant investments we are making in Gusinje today. We are continuing with further activities, for the benefit of the local community," said the Mayor of the Municipality, Sanel Balić.

The government allocated around 516.000 euros for the construction and equipping of the 280 square meter facility, and the construction of the facility was realized through cooperation between the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography and UNDP, with the contribution of the Municipality of Gusinje, which provided the plot for construction.

"The newly built facility represents another example of successful cooperation between state institutions, local governments and international partners in creating a more accessible, efficient and humane system of support for citizens," the statement reads.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of UNDP in Montenegro, the Municipality of Gusinje, competent institutions and citizens.

"The opening of this facility represents a significant step towards improving the social and child protection system and creating more accessible and quality services for the citizens of the municipality of Gusinje. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography will continue to invest in the development of social and child protection services throughout Montenegro, with a special focus on areas remote from administrative centers, so that all citizens have equal access to rights, regardless of their place of residence," the ministry said.