Support for Youth After Leaving the Protection System Is Key to Independent Living

At the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro in Podgorica, the final conference of the project "Empowered for Tomorrow: The Right to Support" was held, organized by the Network for European Policies – MASTER. On behalf of the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue, Snežana Ivanović, head of the Directorate for Volunteering and Civil Sector Cooperation, spoke at a panel discussion dedicated to improving the social and child protection system. Ivanović emphasized that the essence of deinstitutionalization and youth independence from the protection system lies not only in formal exit from institutions but also in creating a safe and functional support network within the community. She highlighted that official procedures and regulations provide a necessary framework, but civil society organizations and volunteers play a crucial role in preventing social isolation by providing young people with real human connections and support at the moment they stand on their own feet. The synergy of institutional resources and the field experience of non-governmental organizations ensures that every young person leaving the protection system has equal access to services and the opportunity for a dignified, independent, and safe life, regardless of the local self-government where they live. The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue remains committed to strengthening cooperation with civil society and developing sustainable community services that ensure equal opportunities for all youth in Montenegro.