The first of the four planned residential communities has officially opened in Novska. This step is part of a broader project by the Lipak Centre for Social Services, aiming to provide a high-quality and stable living environment for children without parental care. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Labour, Pensions, Family and Social Policy, Alen Ružić, highlighting the importance of this investment for the improvement of the social care system.
The project aims to provide suitable living conditions for a total of 22 children through four residential homes. The first of these officially began operations on 7 September. The remaining three residential units are scheduled to be commissioned by the end of the current year, or at the latest in the first half of next year. This will expand the system's capacity, aligning it with the needs of children without parental care.
Approximately €280,000 has been allocated from the state budget for the renovation and furnishing of the residential units. These funds are intended to create living conditions that ensure a good quality of life for vulnerable groups. In Croatia, there are currently approximately 70,000 children without parental care, while the number of children with developmental disabilities without parental care is estimated at around 3,000.
In July of this year, a total of 62 children and young people used the services of the Lipak Centre for Social Services. This network of services is organised across four locations in Lipik, as well as one location in Pakrac. The centre is developing new capacities, with plans to provide accommodation for a total of 50 service users. Over the next two years, accommodation is planned for 16 to 20 children in the municipality of Hercegovac, and for eight children in the municipality of Jakšić, thereby providing adequate support for the needs of children without parental care.
