EU Expert Meeting on Exchange of Experience and Good Practices in Providing Quality Social Services

From May 30th to 31st, 2023, the Center for Human Resource Development and Regional Initiatives (CHRDRI) in Sofia hosted an international expert meeting and discussion focused on exchanging experiences and best practices among European Union member states in providing quality social services.

The opening of the meeting was attended by Ms. Victoria Tahova, Executive Director of the Agency for the Quality of Social Services, and Mr. Alexander Shopov, Director of the Center for Human Resource Development and Regional Initiatives. The opening session was moderated by Mr. Ivan Bakalov, Head of the Education Department at CHRDRI.

The event was structured into three working sessions, with the first session focusing on current aspects of the regulatory framework in the field of social services. Experts presented a brief overview of the legislation in this area, the national map of social services in Bulgaria, and criteria for analyzing good practices. Additionally, topics such as digitization, accessibility and services in the field of social services, as well as comprehensive governance and shared administration in Italy, were discussed. Special attention was given to the European Child Guarantee.

The second working session focused on good practices in the development of social services for children. Among the topics presented were partnerships as a guarantee for successful social policy at the local level, the establishment of an integrated service in the city of Plovdiv, the provision of quality social services in Greece, and a presentation by the "For Our Children" foundation.

The third and final working session for the first day of the event examined new approaches in providing social services for children and adults. Topics included recent changes in the social services system in Bulgaria, experiences and good practices from Malta, and the European perspective on the quality of social services.

On the following day, May 31st, 2023, participants visited the Early Childhood Development Complex in Sofia, which is created by the "For Our Children" foundation.

The international expert meeting was successfully conducted, providing an opportunity for the exchange of experiences and best practices in the field of social services among EU member states.