This report presents the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations of an evaluation of the childcare and deinstitutionalisation reforms in seven countries (Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Tajikistan) for the period of 2009-2022. The evaluation was commissioned by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Europe and Central Asia Region Office (ECARO) and conducted by Coram International.
The object of the evaluation is the national child care reforms undertaken between 2009 and the end of 2022, with a focus on deinstitutionalisation (DI) across the seven evaluation countries in Europe and Central Asia. The evaluation aims to assess the strengths and weaknesses in approaches taken by different countries; provide insight into system level bottlenecks and, in particular, to assess the results achieved by governments and UNICEF to date (outcome and impact level) in supporting children with disabilities and other highly marginalised and vulnerable children in the region to remain with their families or in family-based care.