Transitioning to community support for independent living for people with disabilities
Adults with disabilities transitioning from residential centers will receive support through a program initiated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MMPS). This program aims to promote their social integration by providing sheltered housing and personalized assistance. As a result, participants will benefit from a safe environment and the freedom to make their own decisions.
To facilitate this transition, the authorities have launched a new grant program aimed at civil society organizations in the social sector. The funding will be utilized to develop direct support infrastructure within communities.
According to the action plan, the following initiatives are to be established in the Republic of Moldova:
At least 15 social services of the “Protected Housing” type – spaces that allow individuals with disabilities to live independently while receiving assistance when needed.
At least 30 “Family Placement for Adults” services – programs where beneficiaries are welcomed and cared for by families in the community.
The reform aims to create fundamental changes in the protection system for people with disabilities, stated Vasile Cușca, State Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
"Reforming the system for protecting persons with disabilities means, above all, creating conditions that enable each individual to live in the community, make their own decisions, and access the support they need. We want the transition from residential care to community life to be safe, well-prepared, and focused on the unique needs of each person,” Cușca said on September 10 during the program launch event.
According to data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the number of individuals with disabilities in the Republic of Moldova has decreased from 173,000 in 2017 to approximately 164,000 in 2025. Nevertheless, their share of the total population has increased from 6.3% to 6.9%, even as the country’s overall population has declined.
Among adults, the primary causes of disability over the past five years have remained tumors, diseases of the circulatory system, and disorders of the osteoarticular system. In children, however, authorities have noted a concerning trend: mental and behavioral disorders have doubled, and in some cases, increased even more dramatically over the last five years.
