Prerequisite of the project

Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are faced with the process of rapid aging of the population, the breakdown of the multi-generational family coexistence model, and the outflow of young people from their hometowns and villages. All of the above lead to an increase in the number of elderly people left alone without caregivers. At the same time, the elderly remain an invisible target group for the country's social policy. In both target countries, home care for the elderly is mainly provided by non-governmental organizations or private companies. State programs do not fully cover those in need, or are not adapted to the needs of the elderly. The problem with this type of healthcare is the lack of a uniform standard of care and unsustainable financial support. At best, most providers apply their own standards of care and training, while others employ low-quality caregivers and provide high-cost or low-quality services to recipients. All the above factors add to the uncertain future of the elderly in these two countries, which overall makes many of them highly vulnerable and prevents them from realizing their right to "age with dignity".

The purpose of the project

The goal of the program is to promote access to home care services for the elderly in four municipalities (two in Georgia and two in Bosnia-Herzegovina) and to contribute to the creation of an inclusive social policy framework that will improve the situation of the elderly in society and ensure the realization of their rights.

This goal will be achieved by financially sustainable social service providers, the so-called by establishing "support homes" that will: a) create and pilot integrated home care service models according to a uniform quality standard, and b) function as knowledge centers for home care services, provide caregivers' competence development, offer counseling on issues related to the needs of the elderly, activities promoting healthy aging, and Provide awareness raising and advocacy.

The service model developed within the program will be based on the best international experience and, in particular, the Austrian knowledge of the model of integrated home care services, which Hilfswerk will continuously share with project partners (cross-country peer education).

Project events

• Assessing the needs of municipalities and service users;
• Organizational arrangement of the support house, planning of business models and service packages;
• training of members of the housekeeping team and volunteers;
• service piloting and accompanying quality management;
• healthy aging events and consultations;
• Advocacy and public awareness.

Project Advisory Group / Beneficiaries

In total, at least 1,000 people and more than 40 organizations will be involved in the project:

• 240 elderly people will receive home care services and 140 people will benefit from healthy aging measures;
• 450 family members;
• At least 30 caregivers and 20 volunteers;
• At least 85 employees from local governments;
• At least 60 employees from different organizations.

Additional information about the project

Project period: January 2020/01/01 – December 2023/12/31

The project is being implemented by:

• Hilfswerk International www.hilfswerk.at/international/en with partners Hilfswerk International's Sarajevo office and "HAJDE Aid and Development Association" in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Displaced Women's Association "Consent", "Association of Social Workers of Georgia", " Strategic Research and Development Center of Georgia" together in Georgia.
• Financially supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA)

Contact information

Local partner of the project, Strategic Research and Development Center of Georgia CSRDG

Eka Datuashvili, coordinator of the social entrepreneurship development promotion program

Tel: (995 32) 2 39 90 19

E-mail: eka.datuashvili@csrdg.ge;