Description
The project addresses the challenges faced by Roma women in Rakitovo Municipality (unemployed, with low education, without social security). The project aims at empowering these women by teaching them crafts and developing their entrepreneurship skills. First, the situation in Rakitovo will be studied in detail to identify the unemployed women interested in the project. Second, 10 disadvantaged unemployed Roma women will be selected and trained in hand-woven textile and entrepreneurship. Third, a permanent training centre in Rakitovo will be renovated. Fourth, a pilot 6-month training module on hand-woven textile will be developed. Next, an exhibition centre will be created in Prosveta Community Centre. Next, a multilingual online platform to promote local crafts will be created. The project will benefit the young unemployed Roma women in Rakitovo and the local community in general. The partner will provide the know-how, trainers and premises for the training centre.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the challenges faced by Roma women in Rakitovo Municipality (unemployed, with low education, without social security). It developed and tested mechanisms for self-help and empowerment. The training centre set up under the project provided the members of the target group with an opportunity to find a job and acquire competence. The developed e-platform, exhibition hall, as well as the event held at the Embassy of the British Ambassador to Sofia to present the artefacts produced at the training centre, further promoted the project activities. The training centre for handmade crafts will continue to function after the project end. It is difficult to break the vicious cycle of poverty and unemployment in the region without such centres and the opportunity for training. The project beneficiaries were 20 disadvantaged women from the minorities and 40 families from Rakitovo Municipality. The project was implemented in partnership with Gradivnost Foundation.
Summary of bilateral results