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Description
The goal of the project is focused on improving the access to education, health protection and development of social skills of children aged 0 – 6 years, who do not attend or do not have access to pre-school or nursery school, or live in isolated rural/urban and/or poor areas with concentration of problems generating risk of poverty, social exclusion and marginalization. The aim of the project is to promote active involvement of the Roma community in the early child care and education, the commitment and activation of the parents in order to form parenting skills; to employ experts – Roma education mediators, health mediators and pedagogical specialists; to organize mobile teams of experts for fieldwork and visits at the homes of the children who need care and support; to create and maintain a multidisciplinary and multiethnic team of representatives of the Roma community who will work with the children from disadvantaged areas and their families in order to develop their social skills and support the inclusion of the children in the education system in order to develop the local communities and overcome the negative stereotypes.The children will be provided with theatre costumes, innovative games and outdoor educational games and facilities. Basic items, like clothes, necessary for the children from the Roma communities, will also be provided. For this purpose, an outdoor space/playground will be built, and it will be used to practice outdoor educational activities, related to the stimulation of the intellectual capabilities of the target group. Group visits to various cultura, educational and other locationsl will be organized for practical familiarization with various aspects of the social life. A mobile hub will be created along with an extension of an already existing centre for pre-school education and early childcare, with the aim of encouraging the process of education, social and economic integration and development.
Summary of project results
A major problem and challenge was to improve the access to social and health services for children from vulnerable groups and supporting the transition from family to formal educational environment. The activation of the ethnic population and their active inclusion in social processes, as well as the increased understanding on the responsibility for the children''s integration in the society.
The project was focused on improving early childhood education, healthcare and social inclusion for vulnerable groups in Burgas and Malko Tarnovo through different activities. A multicultural staff was were hired to provide support to children from the communities in the process of their intellectual development and school readiness. Through the offered educational activities, interactive learning and regular meetings with parents in order to involve them in the process and offering personal assistance to at-risk children and families was aimed prevention of school dropouts. Through the project mobile health, educational and social support services were offered. Healthcare awareness programs on topics such as early pregnancy prevention, sexual and reproductive health, family planning and prevention of sexually transmitted infection were provided. 200 gynecological check-ups were conducted. Community support groups were formed to discuss on different topics like women''s health, immunizations, child development etc. thus significantly improving the quality of life of the community.
A modern healthy and physical environment for children in the kindergarten for outdoor activities has been built in the city of Malko Tarnovo and the city of Burgas. Built and functioning stationary hub in the city of Burgas. Increased intellectual, emotional and personal development of children in both municipalities. Reduced social exclusion by providing mobile healthcare and educational services in the communities. Self-help and community patronage groups established in both municipalities. Increased capacity of health mediators in both municipalities.
Summary of bilateral results
Two visit for exchange of experience and good practices were conducted. In October, 2022 ten people from Bulgaria visited Iceland. The group had the opportunity to learn about the good practices for teaching in a multicultural environment and innovative methods for conducting outdoor activities in kindergartens in Reykjavik. In September, 2023 representatives the City of Reykjavik, Department of Education and Youth visited Bulgaria. The partners from Reykjavik made presentation for early childhood education and care and their experience was shared during the visits to the kindergartens in the two municipalities. During their stay in Bulgaria they managed to attend the interim press conference of the project and got acquainted to the achieved results.