European experts see historic opportunity for people in institutions

Transition from institutional to community-based care European Expert Group (EEG) has issued a statement welcoming the recent agreements reached on the use of EU Structural Funds in 2014-2020.
Last December the European Council and the European Parliament approved the new EU cohesion policy investment regulations. For the first time they specifically indicate support for the transition from institutional to community-based care. EEG believes that this is a historic turning point, especially given the fact that the European Commission recently approved the Code of Conduct on the Partnership Principled for using European Union Structural and Investment Funds. This is a legally binding document which ensures that EU member states will plan and implement structural fund investments in close cooperation with civil society and other stakeholders.

In the statement EEG calls European Commission:

• to provide recommendations for the EU member states, in order to give priority to the transition from institutional to community-based care;
• to ensure that all EU member states are legally obliged to move from institutional to community-based care;
• to ensure that implementation of these commitments are effectively monitored at national and European Commission levels.

NGO Mental Health Perspectives participates in EEG activities through membership in Mental Health Europe organization and supports the indictated statement. Full statement text available here.