A community needs assessment is currently carried out in the six project communities in Austria (Vienna, Hartberg), Montenegro (Bar, Bijelo Polje) and Serbia (Sombor, Pirot). Caring relatives, older people in need of care and support as well as interested persons can voice their health and care needs and measures and services missing in their community. The assessments are carried out in the form of focus groups, interviews and questionnaires.

Further, meetings with 15-20 stakeholders will be carried out in all six communities in order to include perspectives, experiences and ideas of local decision-makers. These will include for example, representatives of community councils, nursing homes and home care services, relevant associations, family doctors, …

The results of the community needs assessments and stakeholder meetings will be summarized in reports, including final recommendations for the Community Care Centers in each community. The final reports will be available in English in autumn 2021.