Description
We are proposing an integrated social and basic services complex in the benefit of 350 beneficiaries, children, youth and families in difficulty characterized by an increased risk of social exclusion, from the disadvantage rural areas of the villages Greaca, Prundu and Hotarele from Giurgiu. The main objective of the project is to increase the quality of life for the population from the rural area Greaca-Hotarele-Prundu and the specific objectives plan: 1) ensuring the access of 300 beneficiaries to social and basic services 2) offering support for 50 young people in the transition to the labor market 3) co-involvement of the public authorities in providing basic and social services in the specific rural area 4) reinforcement and increasing the sustainability of the center 5) developing social canteen service . The activities of the project will have the effect of reducing the disparities between urban and rural environment and will strengthen a structure able to provide quality social and basic services in the future for the people in difficulty.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to reduce the disparities between urban and rural environment in the disadvantaged area of Greaca, Hotarele and Prundu in Giurgiu County. The population in this area is confronted to a high rate of unemployment, insufficient health services, low school enrolment and reduced cultural activity, while the number of public and private institutions providing basic and social services is very low - 8 NGOs and 7 public institutions. Moreover, the available services are mainly residential centres for abandoned children or for elder people, while social services for children, youth and families are scarce. In this context the project Be a resource for your village - Centre of welfare and basic services Saint Stelian, the promoter developed an integrated social and basic services complex for 300 beneficiaries: children, youth and families at risk of social exclusion, out of which is estimated that 50% are Roma. The proposed services consolidated collaboration within a network formed by Saint Stelian Association, General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child Protection, Greaca School and Greaca Town Hall. 200 disadvantaged children and youngsters benefited of educational and social services designed to prevent school dropout and familial abandonment and to prepare them for an independent life. 80 adults (parents of the children who are beneficiaries in the project) received social services focused on family relationships’ rehabilitation and reintegration on the labour market. 50 disadvantaged youngsters received information, counselling and assistance for their integration/reintegration on the labour market. 26 young beneficiaries received support to register at The Giurgiu County Agency for employment and 7 of them were employed. Within the centre there was created social canteens that will address to the poor people from Greaca and villages in the neighbourhood. It is estimated that the canteen can also become an element of sustainability, according to a study developed within the project with regard to the development of the services in Greaca. 10 volunteers and employees of the organization were trained to work as social workers and 30 young people from the community were involved as volunteers in various activities developed during the project implementation (thematic workshops, educational and cultural activities, charity).
Summary of bilateral results
The project was initially planned to be implemented in partnership with Vestlandsforsking AS Institute which was supposed to contribute with input on a sustainability plan for the of services in Greaca. Following the signature of the contract, the partner decided to withdraw from the project as the promoter did not manage to agree with the new staff from the partner upon the responsibilities, budget and reporting rules under the grant contract. The responsibilities of conducting the study were undertaken by a Romanian expert.