Supporting the implementation of Slovenia’s long-term care reform

LTC_Slovenia_TSI

PROJECT TEAM AT THE EUROPEAN CENTRE

Kai Leichsenring, Selma Kadi, Niki Kalavrezou, Selam Woldemariam

BACKGROUND

On 1 July 2025, the Slovenian LTC Act-1, adopted in July 2023, entered into force with provisions guaranteeing citizens’ rights to home care. Additional rights for family carers have already taken effect earlier, and regulations concerning LTC institutions and cash benefits will come into effect on 1 December 2025. Slovenia is thus in the midst of a long-debated LTC reform, implemented through gradual steps over the past decade. It is therefore necessary to now shape the multi-level governance framework of this reform, involving several ministries (Ministry of Solidarity-Based Future, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities), the municipalities, the providers of social services, the Centres of Social Work, primary care centres, as well as the users and carers themselves.

AIMS

  • To strengthen the structural basis for ensuring equal access to the LTC system (including cash benefits, services and residential care facilities) in Slovenia. Relevant stakeholders will be aware of their roles and enabled to use the available resources for creating an integrated LTC ecosystem that ensures accessible quality services in LTC.
  • To reduce the existing gaps in LTC service provision and ensure the legally promised rights for citizens in need of LTC and their carers. Necessary instruments at the local level will be available and supported by national policies within a functioning multi-level governance system to implement the LTC Act-1.
  • To create a solid infrastructure for needs assessment, supported by sufficient personnel and the necessary skills to link individual needs assessments with local care management.

The project will build on a situational analysis and a Theory of Change process with all relevant stakeholders in close cooperation with the Ministry of Solidarity-Based Future. Underserved and unserved areas of service provision will be identified and supported through the co-creation of LTC provider networks, and the development of incentives that ensure a level playing field for all providers, with the ultimate goal of building an integrated LTC ecosystem. Needs assessment procedures will be streamlined by further training and by expanding the pool of assessors who will ensure the further implementation of the LTC Act-1. Drawing on expertise from within Slovenia and other EU Member States, the project will empower all relevant stakeholders to implement the LTC Act-1 in unserved and underserved local zones. The outcomes and deliverables of the project will be designed as potential blueprints for the future development of LTC delivery within Slovenia, but also in other Member States with similar care regimes.

METHODS

  • Theory of Change
  • Literature review
  • Expert interviews
  • Training of Needs Assessors
  • Focus groups
  • PolicyLabs

ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES

  • Mapping of LTC services (identification of under- and unserved areas)
  • Situational analysis report and topic guide
  • Theory of Change map
  • Training and mentoring of Needs Assessors
  • Local action plans
  • Study tour
  • Policy Briefs
  • Final event

The European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research supports the Sustainable Development Goals

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UN SDG Good Health and Well-Being
UN SDG Gender Equality
UN SDG Reduced Inequalities

FUNDED BY

European Commission, SG Reform

PROJECT DURATION

10/2025 – 10/2027

NEWS