This study session organised by the European Expert Group on the transition from  institutional to community-based care took place in the afternoon of 12 October 2023. It  aimed to bring together professionals, people who are institutionalised, their families and  representative organisations to discuss the shift toward meaningful inclusion in the  community. 

A diverse group of people in the European Union are still institutionalised, and  deinstitutionalisation processes are at different stages. The study session was an opportunity  to help improve understanding of the deinstitutionalisation (DI) process in the EU where  participants will discuss the initiatives in place in their country to advance the DI process for  several concerned communities. We invited expert speakers from both civil society  and governments from Czechia, Malta and Spain to present and discuss with the audience  the different deinstitutionalisation processes in their countries. 

More specifically, the study session focused on large-scale mental health reforms in  Czechia, deinstitutionalisation of people with disabilities in Malta, and a pilot project on  deinstitutionalisation of people who are homeless in Spain.  

The aim of this study session was to trigger an open discussion on how to best ensure that  reforms and support measures reach groups in vulnerable situations such as persons with  disabilities, persons who are homeless and that they promote inclusive living in compliance  with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Convention  on the Rights of the Child.  

Below you can read the full report on the study session and find the presentations of each speaker.

Presentations of the speakers:

• Pavel Rican, on the Mental Health Reforms and Deinstitutionalisation in Czechia
• Christine Sant, on the Maltese Strategy of Deinstitutionalisation of People with Disabilities
• Marthese Mugliette, on Malta’s Strategy on Deinstitutionalisation of People with disabilities
• Marco A. Luengo Castro, on the Pilot Project on Deinsitutionalisation of Homeless People in Gijon
• Damaris Bajaras, on the Pilot Project on Deinstitutionalisation of Homeless People