Browse Ageing Policies

"The ""National Strategy on Long Term Care and Active Ageing 2023-2030"" was introduced in 2023 by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity in Romania. Implemented at the national level and led by the Ministry, this strategy targets older persons (65+) and the long-term care (LTC) workforce. It aims to promote independent living among older persons for as long as possible and enhance access to equitable and sustainable long-term care services. Key measures include strengthening the responsibility and management of LTC services, ensuring a continuum of care that respects fundamental rights, and establishing sustainable financing for the LTC system. The strategy addresses disparities in LTC service availability and affordability, particularly in regions where services depend on local authority resources. Outcomes also focus on enhancing LTC quality, supporting the formal and informal LTC workforce, and encouraging active social participation for older persons. This approach aims to reduce dependency on residential care by fostering community-based services that prevent institutionalization. Monitoring and evaluation are conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, ensuring continuous improvements in social assistance for Romania’s ageing population."

The “National Strategy on Long-Term Care and Active Ageing for the Period 2023–2030” was introduced in 2023 in Romania by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity (MMSS). Implemented at the national level and led by MMSS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, local authorities, and non-governmental organizations, this strategy targets all older persons in Romania, particularly people over 65, especially those in rural areas or in economically and socially vulnerable conditions. It aims to address the challenges of an ageing population by establishing a comprehensive long-term care (LTC) system that ensures all dependent older persons have access to adequate support, care, and assistance by 2030. Key objectives include strengthening accountability and management of LTC services, ensuring a continuum of care that respects fundamental rights, and providing sustainable financing for the LTC system. Specific measures focus on improving infrastructure, expanding home care services and day care centres, and implementing programs to prevent social isolation and abuse of older persons. Additionally, the strategy emphasizes protecting and strengthening the formal and informal LTC workforce through training programs for caregivers. Expected results include increased access to integrated LTC services, a lower dependency ratio, and improved health and well-being for older persons.

The Long-Term Care and Active Ageing Strategy aims to ensure access to adequate support, care, and assistance for all older persons in Romania, regardless of location or income, by 2030. It focuses on the sustainability of financial and human resources for the ongoing development of the long-term care system. The strategy involves the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, local and central public administration authorities. The policy covers the entire nation of Romania, targeting the older population, especially those over 80 years old, who require long-term care services. The strategy aims to enhance the administrative capacity to manage long-term care services effectively, improving service performance, developing social services, ensuring sustainable financing, and implementing the principle of “funding following the beneficiary.” Additionally, priority support is given to home and community care, allowing older persons to live independently for as long as possible. The strategy is a continuation of the National Strategy for Active Ageing (2015–2020) and responds to demographic, epidemiological, and social trends in Romania. It also addresses issues highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy is set for the period 2023–2030.

The Government Decision no. 426/2020 on the approval of cost standards aims to approve cost standards for the financing of social services provided by public social service providers. The policy involves the Romanian Government, specifically the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Public Works, Development, and Administration, and the Ministry of Public Finance. The policy has a national scope, affecting local budgets and state budget revenues for social services across Romania. It targets social service beneficiaries, including children, adults with disabilities, older persons, and victims of family violence. The policy outlines cost standards for various social services, such as residential services for children and older persons, home care services for older persons, and services to prevent and combat family violence. It includes specific cost standards per beneficiary per year and stipulates that personnel expenses should not exceed 80% of the cost standard. The decision was enacted in 2020.

The National Strategy for the Promotion of Active Ageing and the Protection of Older Persons aims to ensure that by 2030, all older persons in Romania, regardless of income or location, have access to appropriate long-term care and assistance. The strategy aims to sustain financial and human resources for the ongoing development of the long-term care system. The strategy is approved by the Government of Romania and involves the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, local administrative units, and community medical assistants. The policy targets older persons, especially those over 80 years old who require long-term care services. Key features include increasing administrative capacity, improving public social assistance services, developing community-based care services, and ensuring sustainable social services through equitable financial resource distribution. It emphasizes person-centred care, prevention of functional decline, and support for informal caregivers. The policy will be implemented through reforms in social assistance, healthcare, and long-term care systems, with a focus on home and community care services. Financial flows will follow the principle of “funding follows the beneficiary,” ensuring access to services provided by private social service providers. The strategy is implemented from 2015 to 2030.

The objectives of NESS are to promote quality jobs and skills opportunities for all Albanian women and men throughout their life cycle. The Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE) leads the implementation, supported by the National Employment Service (NES), National Agency for Vocational Education, Training and Qualifications (NAVETQ), and State Labour Inspectorate and Social Services (SILSS). Key partners include the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, EU Delegation to Albania, and various international development organizations. NESS targets the entire Albanian population, with a focus on youth, women, people with disabilities, and marginalized groups. It covers national-level interventions across various sectors including education, health, and social services. Key interventions include the adoption of the new Law on Employment Promotion, establishment of the National Employment and Skills Agency (NAES), and implementation of Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMPs) such as wage subsidies, on-the-job training, and self-employment programs. Specific measures for older persons include tailored employment services and support for long-term unemployed individuals. By 2019, significant progress was observed, including increased employment rates, improved VET infrastructure, and enhanced social inclusion measures. The employment rate for people aged 15-64 increased to 61.6%, and youth unemployment decreased to 21.4%. The NESS was launched in November 2014 and extended to 2022.

The Governmental Ordinance no. 137/2000 on the prevention and sanctioning of all forms of discrimination aims to uphold human dignity, rights, and freedoms, ensuring equality and non-discrimination in Romania. The policy involves the National Council for Combating Discrimination as key stakeholder. While the NCCD operates under parliamentary supervision, it is an autonomous state authority responsible for ensuring compliance with non-discrimination principles and policies. The ordinance has a national scope, covering all citizens and legal entities, public or private, ensuring non-discrimination in various domains like employment, social protection, education, and access to public services and spaces. It outlines specific actions against discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, social category, beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, chronic non-contagious illness, HIV infection, or belonging to a disadvantaged category. It includes preventive measures, amicable conflict resolution, and sanctions for discriminatory behaviour. While the document does not specify observed impacts, it establishes a legal framework for protecting individuals and groups from discrimination, with the potential to foster an inclusive society. The law was enacted in 2000.