Description
The project ,,We are the Community" is encouraging the active involvement of the population of deprived rural communities to increasing ethnic cohesion, local economic development and social revitalization. Objectives : 1-Establish and operate the Community Center for Citizen Initiative as a tool for social cohesion, 2-Prepare youth for employment through entrepreneurial education, using the Virtual Firm simulation program, 3-Stimulate the economic initiative through employment support services and 4-Organize the Exhibitions of Interethnic Cohabitation posted on ,,Citizen Agenda” panels, as a communication tool inside the community . Results : 6700 people attend the Community Center for Citizen Initiative , 40 youth (20 Roma) receive entrepreneurship education, 72 people (40 Roma) from vulnerable groups receive services for employment and entrepreneurial development, 12 firms involved in local economic development, 60 people involved in running the Ethnic Cohabitation Exhibitions.
Summary of project results
"We are the community" project targeted the active involvement of the population from Crizbav and Hălchiu, two disadvantaged rural communities in Brașov County, in order to increase the interethnic cohesion, local economic development and social harmony. A Citizens' Initiative Community Center was set-up in Satu Nou village (which has a compact Roma population) with the aim of promoting active citizenship for the multi-ethnic communities involved in the project. The Center was equipped for creative art workshops and for hosting interethnic, intergenerational and general community activities for the 6736 inhabitants of both targeted communities. Young people from the two communes participated to civic education classes on interethnic cohabitation (206 students, including 60 Roma), received vocational assessment and employment guidance (109 students, 43 Roma), developed entrepreneurial skills by participating to the Virtual Firm programme (84 students, 31 Roma) and enrolled in artistic workshops (224 students, 76 Roma). In the implementation period 599 people (including 211 Roma) were directly involved in project activities and the total population of target communes got informed on the content and results of the project. A team of 19 teachers from 3 schools were trained to use the Virtual Firm entrepreneurial educational tool. They will ensure the sustainability of the project, together with the Community Center that will create a favourable environment for interethnic, intercultural and intergenerational activities. The employment Guide for graduates of secondary schools (200 copies), the leaflet on Virtual Firms (120 copies) for students and teachers of secondary schools and the leaflet promoting the Community Center Satu Nou (120 copies) were distributed to the population in target localities and are available on the website of the promoter.
Summary of bilateral results