Description
According to a 2013 report by the European Council, over 40% of the Romanian population was at risk of poverty, with children affected (49%).The aim is to create the conditions and instruments to move from the autonomous provision of services by vertical and parallel networks to a more integrated approach for the provision of a basic package of services that are preventive, community-based and family centred, with a focus on vulnerable families with children. The outcomes are:increased access to a basic package of community-based services, reduction in the level of stigma and discrimination against Roma and increased empowerment of Roma families and children, model of integrated community based services. The outputs:provision of integrated services to children at risk, enrollment of Roma in preschool education, positive Roma role models campaign, report documenting the project impact at county level. The selected county is Bacau from the North East region. The target groups are: Families and children at risk in 32 selected communities, professionals working in the area of social services, parents, local and national authorities.
Summary of project results
The project main goal is to deliver at national level a universal package of preventive social services (health, education, social protection) in an integrated/coordinated way to children and their families in order to reduce the equity gaps and reduce the deprivations children suffer while also reducing the medium and long-term costs in the social sector. The main strategy was focusing on an integrated model of community-based, preventive and inclusive services in one of the poorest counties, Bacau. The model was present in 45 communities out of which 32 funded by Norway Grants, both in urban and rural areas. The most important project outcomes/results are: • Model of the minimum package of services defined and 32 communities selected; Over 1,800 services provided in each of the 32-targeted communities • 132 community workers selected, trained and actively delivering community services; • 32,266 households visited in the targeted communities; • Numerous community and county professionals and school staff and management representatives improved their knowledge, attitudes and skills as result of training and capacity building; • Parenting education has been a very successful component of the model, with 2,166 parents taking part in the activities and benefitting 2,615 children. • 32 schools received a micro-grant of RON 10,000 (approximately 2,000€) and implemented activities to promote a more inclusive and better quality education; • 2 national campaign conducted on reduction in the level of stigma and discrimination against Roma and to prevent the adolescent’s alcohol consumption The project activities were organized in 3 outcomes as follow: 1. Increased access to a basic package of community-based services for vulnerable children and their families. 2. Reduction in the level of stigma and discrimination against Roma and increased empowerment of Roma families and children. 3. Changes in national legislation, policies and secondary legislation, as well as increased resource allocation, based on model approach, methodology and instruments.
Summary of bilateral results