The project is coordinated by Association of Care Giving Relatives and Friends in Finland (Omaishoitajat ja Laheiset – Liitto ry).

The project partner is the Council of Feodosia in Ukraine. The funding is provided by the European Commission within the framework of the TACIS IBPP - Programme.
Project beneficiaries are family caregivers and members of their families in Feodosia city and in villages of Feodosia region, as well as members of various Feodosian NGOs. 

Project goals in short:
1.  To strengthen and enhance the empowerment and quality of work of local authorities and non-governmental societies in providing community based services for family caregivers.

2.  To foster and develop the collaboration and dialogue between Finnish and Ukrainian non-governmental organisations working in area of social welfare and also between personnel of local authorities.

3.  To improve quality of life of family carers of disabled or elderly persons.

The specific objectives include:
- To educate personnel of local authorities and members of non-governmental societies in Feodosia region to organise and carry out new models of community based services for caregivers.
- To analyse, adapt and develop new procedures and models of work of non-governmental societies based on good European practice.
- To transfer knowledge on modern European ideology and policy in the field of family caregiving to Crimean local authorities and non-governmental organisations (information on human rights of family caregivers, legacy of services, municipal services, pensions and privileges, organizing everyday life of people with disabilities, elderly persons and people with severe illnesses).
- To develop teaching materials such as descriptions of services, rehabilitation recommendations, instruction manuals and informational materials.
- To educate members of non-governmental societies to collaborate with specialists and service providers in organising services for caregivers and in carrying out volunteer activities.
- To promote contacts between Ukrainian and Finnish specialists, officials, family caregivers and members of NGOs by joint meetings, seminars and discussions.
- To translate Finnish informational materials on services, legislation and social welfare and social inclusion of family caregivers.
- To establish support groups for caregivers
- To develop and carry out community services for caregivers and their families
- To develop teaching materials such as course programmes, instruction manuals and informational materials
- To achieve positive changes in people’s attitudes towards family care giving in Ukraine and Finland through articles in press and dissemination of information and also by organising seminars.
- To plan future collaboration between Finnish and Ukrainian NGOs in this area.

More information: www.omaishoitajat.fi/english.php
Tiina Autio, e-mail tiina.autio@omaishoitajat.fi
Malla Heino, e-mail malla.heino@omaishoitajat.fi
Irina Matsutsa, e-mail masysa234@mail.ru
Jelena Vahakuopus, e-mail jelena.vahakuopus@gmail.com