This was the key question driving the two-day study visit held in Jelgava, Latvia (27–28 May 2025), where KMOP joined policymakers, practitioners, and experts from eight European regions to share experiences and effective strategies for transforming health and social care.
Spotlight on Regional Vision and Collaborative Action
Hosted by the Zemgale Planning Region, the study visit marked the launch of a new collaboration between KMOP and European regions to advance community- and family-based care models that foster inclusion, autonomy, and dignity. KMOP played an active role in the discussions, bringing in its 45 years of experience in service provision and 18 years of specialised expertise in replacing long-stay psychiatric hospitals with community-based mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities.
Policy in Practice: From Strategy to Community Impact
Through interactive discussions, participants delved into practical frameworks and strategies that can support the transition to more person-centered care. Emphasis was placed on increasing institutional capacity, fostering evidence-based policymaking, and designing services that reflect the needs of people with disabilities and their families.
Innovation on the Ground: A Closer Look at Local Practices
A key feature of the visit was touring local care centers and group homes providing comprehensive support for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. These centers combine social, therapeutic, and skill-building activities such as woodworking, leather crafting, sewing, and music lessons—creating multifunctional spaces that nurture well-being and community inclusion.
The facilities also provide vital support for families and caregivers, strengthening the social fabric and promoting a culture of care beyond institutional walls.
Key Takeaway: Rethinking Care Around People, Not Institutions
The study visit underscored a shared commitment to transforming care systems across European regions by embracing community-based, inclusive, and person-centered models. Policies and practices should move beyond institutions and empower individuals, families, and communities to shape their own futures.
This collaborative journey has now officially begun with the launch of the FABCOM project, co-funded by the Interreg Europe programme and coordinated by Zemgale Planning Region. Over the next four years, KMOP will collaborate with European regions to transfer knowledge in the community-based care, develop regional action plans, and pilot innovative approaches to promote the deinstitutionalization of care and strengthen community-based services.
For more information, please contact us at: [email protected] or +30 210 3637547.
