Description
Despite a high degree of urbanization, Prahova County has not been spared of the phenomena of school absenteeism and abandonment. Children and youth often miss classes or even drop out of school because of the lack of proper parental supervision or because they need to find a job. Statistics show that, in the first four months of 2014, high schools recorded a total of 1,131,560 absences. The main objective of the project is to improve the socio-professional integration of youth at risk from Prahova County. It will ensure integrated measures for 250 youth at risk (main target group) belonging to high school education, such as remedial "after school” education and a network of social and professional inclusion centers in schools. Also, thanks to a partnership with the Norway NGO Romers Rettigheter, the project will facilitate the exchange and transfer of knowledge, experience and best practices between Romania and Norway in helping youth at risk.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to improve the socio-professional integration of young people at risk from pre-university education in Prahova County by creating a network of socio-professional inclusion centres in the 5 high schools. The project was developed in partnership with Resources Centre Apollo Association and Romers Rettigheter from Norway and the initial target values and grant amount were increased after participating at the Plus call. The activities were developed in 5 high-schools from Prahova County where there were created and equipped 5 Socio-professional inclusion centres. There 250 youths were involved in after school activities (like remedial activities at Romanian language and Mathematics) and benefited from hot meal and counselling provided by the partner, Resources Centre Apollo Association. Also about 145 parents were involved in activities such as parent`s school. During the summer, the promoter organized summer camps where the youths participated and got involved in non-formal activities, cultural activities and workshops. Also they had experience exchanges with the partner from Norway in order to learn new methods to integrate the children at risk in the educational system. During the implementation in each high school they developed an awareness campaign about the importance of education, the drug abuse effects and other important themes. After participating at Plus call the number of the beneficiaries which participated at the activities of the project increased from 250 youths to 406 youths out of which 56 Roma. Also they developed further activities for the beneficiaries such as personal development activities (coaching), cultural workshops like drawing, dance, music and theater. As a result, at the end of the project, they organized a talent festival where they presented their work.
Summary of bilateral results
The experience exchange between the Romanian project promoter and the Norwegian partner had the purpose to highlight the active measures used by the partners for fighting discrimination and promoting social and educational inclusion of youths at risk. In this purpose they visits many Norwegian schools and observed the results obtained by applying a different approach with youths. The bilateral activities improved the knowledge of the Romanian partners in the field of fighting discrimination and promoting social and educational inclusion of youths at risk