Description
Project is based on community activities, involvement in initiating self-help activities, and achieving integration and social activation of a group of at least 160 people vulnerable to social exclusion. Project is targeted at Nadodrze in Wrocław - the most marginalized housing estate in the city. In course of the project, joint activities will be prepared and implemented in line with the needs of people living in Nadodrze at risk of social exclusion. As project name suggests, the neighbors will decide what is required, what the residents and the local community expect and need. Choice of activities, types of workshops, meeting themes, types of advisory services, themes of social campaigns, kinds of groups established for neighborhood activity animation - all that will be done by project participants. All age groups will be invited: children and the youth, adults and seniors.
Summary of project results
"Nadodrze is the most marginalised housing complex in Wrocław. Revitalisation of buildings has started, but inhabitants were left for themselves, while many of them live on the verge of poverty, are unemployed, cope with addictions and domestic violence, and children and youth have no support. The housing complex is inhabited by 28 000 people. 10% of them use the services of the City Social Assistance Centre, receiving various social benefits. Some inhabitants are unable or unwilling to apply for such assistance. Social work led by the Social Assistance Centre is insufficient. The aim of the project was to prevent social exclusion of persons most endangered by it through social activities, to include them in initiating self-help activities and to enhance their life activation and integration. The participants of the project were acquainted with the opportunities for supportive neighbourhood cooperation, got rid of the sense of alienation and learned how to care for the common good. They increased their sense of self-assurance and the skills of coping with difficult situations (based on 267 questionnaires and 300 interviews with participants). Workshops were conducted on topics proposed by the participants: artistic (29 meetings), psychological and developmental (52 meetings), in English (3 meetings) and Spanish (4 series, in all 40 meetings) languages, in relaxing techniques (14 meetings), in use of computers (12 meetings). In all, 500 hours of workshops were conducted with participation of 267 persons. Advisory services were offered for persons endangered by exclusion (twice a week, in all 300 hours) that benefited 144 persons (737 advices were given). In the beginning once a week, and later twice a week a cafe bar was opened, supporting neighbourhood activities, where food and drink were offered and thematic meetings were organised, e.g. on travelling, exchange of books, music etc. Also 60 meetings of volunteer and self-help groups took place in the cafe and the Wrocław Time Bank was launched (300 registered participants). A picnic was organised (without alcohol and violence) where inhabitants and their families could meet, as well as a happening to promote contacts between generations. The activities gathered 800 adult inhabitants of Nadodrze housing complex in Wrocław."
Summary of bilateral results