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Description
The project responds to a need identified by the local authorities - strengthening the system for child protection in the Municipality of Gorna Oryahovitsa.
The children in contact with the law including vulnerable children from the local Roma community are direct target group of the project. The Roma focus will be guaranteed by involving representatives of Roma informal groups and civil society organizations, and Roma mediators.
The project combines the introduction of specialised support services with establishing an adequate environment for child protection. The work with the children will involve psychologic and interactive social methods, and will be complemented by consultations for the parents. A local coordination unit will be established and working space ensured in the premises of the Municipality. The local coordination unit will apply the specialised support services also on the spot by its mobile teams.
It is planned that the introduced child protection services and practices will be formally incorporated in the social functions of the municipality. In this way, and by increasing the capacity of the municipal administration, the project aims to achieve a sustainable institutional change directly affecting the child protection perspectives at local level.
Summary of project results
The main aim of the project was to develop the system for increasing the capacity of the Bulgarian authorities in the field of justice for children, victims or witnesses of crime or children in conflict with the law; vulnerable children from the Roma community, victims or witnesses of crime or children in conflict with the law.
In-person and online trainings, discussion forums and roundtables have been held.
Specialized services are implemented to support and provide a protective environment for children at risk.
Organized and conducted a local awareness raising workshop on justice for children.
Two new support services were developed: The Parent Club and Mobile Teams
A major step forward enhancing local institutions’ capacity was the introduction of two new support services: The Parent Club, which provided guidance and support to families of at-risk children, helping them better understand the legal and social challenges their children faced and Mobile Teams, which allowed specialists to reach children in remote or underserved areas, ensuring that support services were not limited to urban centres.
To reinforce these efforts, local authorities, social workers, and law enforcement officers participated in trainings, discussions, and roundtables aimed at improving cooperation and coordination.
The project also facilitated a high-level seminar, bringing together key decision-makers from the municipality, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy to discuss best practices in child justice.