Collaborative Practice Winner: District DI Coordination Mechanism (DDICM) – HHC Bulgaria
The District DI Coordination Mechanism (DDICM) is an innovative model designed to improve cooperation and coordination among institutions supporting children and families at risk. By fostering collaboration between different stakeholders, this initiative ensures that vulnerable families receive the assistance they need through a structured, person-centred approach.
Discover the transformative journey of HHC – Bulgaria, as they share their experience of implementing the DDICM model and its impact on children and families through their award-winning work in Collaborative Practice.
- What does winning a European Social Services Award mean for your organisation? How do you feel about this recognition and experience?
The inclusion of the model of the District DI Coordination Mechanism and its win in the Collaborative practice category is a recognition of its innovativeness and success in terms of implementing effective interaction and cooperation with the institutions involved in solving the problems and support of children and families at risk. We are proud that our model has received this endorsement and would be happy to share it with everyone!
- Why did you choose to apply for the 2024 European Social Services Awards?
We entered the European Social Services Awards, in the category of Collaborative Practice, because our District DI Coordination Mechanism (DDICM) model is an example of just that and encompasses a wide range of partners working together in the process of deinstitutionalisation and support for children and families. We submitted our DDICM application because we have a lot of evidence of the effectiveness and efficiency of the model, many families have been supported and many specific cases of children have been resolved. The district administrations that run the DDICM’s sessions also share the success level of this model, the good coordination between all stakeholders at district level and most importantly the resolved cases of children and families in the district.
- What is the added value of being part of a European Network for your organisation? Why is it important to share practice and projects with other actors across Europe?
The added value for our organisation to be part of the European network is the recognition and the opportunity to spread a working and good model. Sharing good practices, models and projects at European level creates the conditions for a cohesive and inclusive community. Sharing brings people together and improves service development through experience and knowledge.
- How does your winning project support inclusion in the community?
The most important characteristic of our model is that it puts the focus of the work of the institutions on the specific child and his family and with the possibilities and resources of everyone a sustainable solution to their problem is sought! The child and his/her family are active participants in the process and the whole family resource is involved in solving the problems!
- What were the key reasons for the success of your project?
The key reasons for the success of our project are several. One of them is the innovation of the model. The DDICM is innovative because it is both accessible and supportive. It is accessible and open to any family that needs help and support. Our regional coordinators report cases of at-risk families to DDICM – with respect to the regional governor. So any family can reach out to the coordination mechanism through our organization and be supported.
Our approach includes regular support and mentoring for DDICM’s members and families at risk.
For the first time, this type of tool brings together the efforts of all stakeholders at a regional level for a specific case. It is not a tool for developing documents, strategies, policies, on the contrary, it is a place for dialogue, problem solving, support and monitoring of families and children in crisis.
What distinguishes our approach from the previous one is the flexibility, mobility and sharing of resources and responsibilities of all actors.
HHC – Bulgaria wins the sympathy of DDICM’s member representatives and the public because our people remain accessible and work proactively in every community we enter. We fund and support training and other activities when the need is brought to us.
- Why should an organisation enter the Awards in 2025?
Receiving an award is highly motivating and energizing, besides of course the recognition received. Every good practice, model or project should be shown and shared. In this way, experience is gained and the development of all these models, practices, projects is improved in a large community of organizations and professionals. Awards are one way to make this happen and for as many people as possible to be able to see this. Entering the awards is an inspiring process and experience for any organisation.
Learn more about the Collaborative Practice category and all the shortlisted projects in 2024. Here you can explore all the categories of the 2024 European Social Services Awards.