Description
The project addresses the challenges of the Roma and people with disabilities in need of social support in Yambol District. The project aims at helping them get social support through better interaction with the relevant NGOs. First, 8 NGOs willing to work with the Roma and the disabled will be identified. Second, 20 people from the NGO staff will be trained during 3 seminars to recognize people’s needs, draft risk assessments, work with vulnerable groups and solve problems. Third, thematic meetings with 2 groups of the Roma/disabled will be held to enable them to share their needs. Fourth, a 9-member Cooperation and Interaction Council will be set up to take part in policy-making for the integration of the target groups. Finally, an advocacy campaign on tolerance towards the Roma/disabled will be held including counseling by the relevant NGOs. The project will help about 12000 Roma and disabled living in Yambol District, their families, local authorities and the public in general.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the challenges of the Roma and people with disabilities in need of social support in Yambol District and helped the civil society in the region to become better prepared for the implementation of social programmes in cooperation and interaction with people from vulnerable groups. The project goal was to increase cooperation between vulnerable groups and marginalized communities with civil society organizations from Yambol District and it was achieved as all the planned activities were carried out in full. Some common prejudices were overcome and interaction and cooperation between NGO representatives, the Roma and people with disabilities was established. The project activities helped some of the participants to become natural leaders of their groups. They started taking more active part in public processes and lead the others as well. As a result of the project activities 23 representatives of 11 local NGOs acquired new knowledge and skills for good quality social activities; 136 Roma and people with disabilities increased their skills for analyzing and solving local issues; 23 volunteers and 22 of the members of the Centre for Educational Programmes and Social Initiatives were trained and improved their capacity for work in the NGO sector; a functioning Council for Cooperation and Interaction was set up including 9 members from the 3 target groups. The important for the public general platforms developed and the permanent forms of interaction established between NGOs, the Roma and people with disabilities will ensure the sustainability of the project results.
Summary of bilateral results