Multi-country Programme Evaluation Synthesis Report of the Childcare and Deinstitutionalisation Reforms from 2009 to 2022
Authors: Kara Apland and Professor Dame Carolyn Hamilton
November 2024
This report presents the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations of an evaluation of the child
care 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.
