The Butterflies of Plato

Project facts

Project promoter:
IKAR(BG)
Project Number:
BG-ACTIVECITIZENS-0024
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€68,348
Final project cost:
€54,626
Programme:

More information

Description

The project aims at further building on a developed and implemented sustainable model of forming new self-awareness about human rights of more than 1020 children aged 12-17 in 7 schools in Haskovo and the region through campaigns and accompanying/supporting activities. The idea follows up our overall strategy of working with young people to educate them and help them grow up as responsible citizens in all public life fields, i.e. democracy, individual freedom, ecology and social well-being (a concept that has been part of Plato’s principles back in the 3rd century BC).  Every child, just like the butterfly, has the right to free flight in the society where the child lives. Over 24 months we will strive to carry out successful campaigns raising students’ awareness of human rights and the rights of the child. We will overcome the issue of lack of awareness by empowering socially disadvantaged target groups living in small settlements in a region with ethnic population through non-formal education. We will show the ways and benefits of knowledge and application of human rights. The complementary objectives are to shape the value system of young people experiencing a public crisis to respect individual rights, build social and behavioural models in the community, draw institutions working with children towards the skills of early education in human rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child though non-formal education methods, etc. Due to lack of input data and educational tools we have also included the following additional activities: creating and adapting educational tools, training of youth leaders – facilitators and carrying out an overall impact assessment. The planned goals, activities and products will benefit indirect participants, their parents, peers, teachers and specialized institutions.

Summary of project results

The project developed a model for conducting training and awareness campaigns on the subject of human rights. For this purpose, polls and discussions were conducted and up-to-date data was collected among nearly 1,600 children aged 9-17 on the level of their awareness of the topic of human rights. The project involved many schools, both from Haskovo and from smaller settlements in the region - the village of Uzundzhovo, the town of Simeonovgrad, the town of Harmanli and the town of Lyubimets, as well as various organizations and informal groups - sports clubs, educational and educational centers, community centers from the town of Haskovo, the village of Konush, the village of Kasnakovo, the village of Stamboliyski, etc.
As a result of the project, training materials were developed and distributed:
A guide to human/child rights, including key international instruments, a glossary of terms and background information on the history of human rights protection.
Facilitator''s Guide, including over 20 exercises and games with instructions; good practices of the Council of Europe and the EU in the field of studying human/child rights, through the methods of non-formal education, as well as a set of ready-made activities suitable for implementation both in school and in extra-curricular, non-formal activities;
The model can be easily adapted to a specific class/group of learners regardless of the environment - in or out of school.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.