Description
The project addresses the difficulties faced by the elderly in rural areas (limited access to social services, healthcare, jobs). The project aims at supporting them through self-help and solidarity mechanisms involving young unemployed people. First, the needs of the people in South Central Region and the potential of students from 3 local universities for social innovation will be studied. Second, the “village residence” programme will be presented and 20 students will be selected as participants. Third, the students will be trained to work with communities and meet social needs. Fourth, the 20 students will live with and help 15 families, finding solutions and challenges facing the families. Finally, a social innovation incubator will be set up based on the successful ideas of the students. The project will benefit the elderly, the unemployed students, decision-makers and the local community. The partners will organize trainings and provide expert support.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the difficulties faced by the elderly in rural areas (limited access to social services, healthcare, jobs). As a result of Baba Residence 17 young people lived in 15 households in 4 villages suffering from depopulation, provided voluntary assistance to elderly couples and organized together events in each village. Baba Residence contributed to the creation of permanent human relations between the young and elderly people that will continue to exist in the future, helped the residents and other people find out that life in the countryside was possible and promoted values that have been often downplayed by the modern society. A Manual was developed at the end of the project which explains the model and makes it applicable in other regions too. Some neighbouring countries showed interest in the model and Baba Residence may be organized in these countries in the coming years. The project participants were actively involved in the formulation of long-term decisions for the local community with a long-term and sustainable positive impact on the village: the young people had the opportunity to further develop these social entrepreneurship ideas after they returned to the city at the Incubator for social Innovation of the Ideas Factory. After the residence ended, 7 projects initiated by the residents to support specific needs in the villages continued to develop. Baba Residence managed and continues to develop online and thus the impact of the project and the follow-up activities from the pilot edition reach thousands of people who show their commitment and support for the cause both online and in person during various events organized by the Ideas Factory. For more information, please, visit:
http://ideasfactorybg.org/ifactory/baba-residence https://www.facebook.com/BabaResidence/?fref=ts
Summary of bilateral results