Description
Lack of investment in the education system, poor preparation of teachers, lack of parental supervision, lack of motivation and other negative factors cause serious problems for young people in Romania. The main objective of the project is to improve the economic and socio-educational status among 1,000 young at risk (160 young Roma) within the areas of Bucharest, Cluj and Giurgiu and Ploiesti, through integrated measures to support socio-educational inclusion. 20 "labs" will be established for career guidance activities, professional development and meetings with parents. A national network of social educational centres for counselling, training, educational activities for youth at risk will be established. Through the educational caravan (EduCaravan), a number of social and psychology specialists will reach at least seven isolated and marginalised counties across the country.
Summary of project results
The project was based on the need for young people to receive assistance in dealing with the specific problems of their age – school abandonment, personality problems, development of social interaction skills, mental health challenges, risk of various addictions etc. In Romania, school and family do not have enough support measures to deal with these challenges. The project supported to functioning of 4 social-educational centres of Foundation Estuar in Bucharest, Cluj, Ploiești, Giurgiu. Also 20 interactive learning laboratories have been set up and equipped in highschools from the same cities. In this framework, a number of 1523 youth from vulnerable groups, out of which 182 roma, aged 16-29 years old, have benefitted from integrated support services for promoting their social inclusion. In the interactive learning laboratories, young people aged 16-19 have improved their learning and self-development capacity by benefitting from psychological counselling, development of independent living and social interaction skills, education for mental health, extra-curricular competitions on social and health related topics (against smoking, alcohol, drugs, violence). In the social-educational centres, youth aged 16-29 have received psychological, psychiatric and social counselling. By the means of an EduCaravan, specialised assistance – psychological, medical, legal, social – has been offered to youth and parents from 7 counties (Călărași, Dâmbovița, Mureș, besides those already mentioned). “Peer-educator” trainings with young Roma graduates have taken place. A number of 262 specialists have been trained on working with young people that deal with various challenges: behavioural disorders, mental problems, vulnerability to mental health etc. Project activities have been supported by a media campaign. The project contributed to promotion of social inclusion of youth by helping them to become aware and make use of their own resources, to act as active participants in the education and self development process, maximizing the reach of their own potential.
Summary of bilateral results