More information
Description
The overall objective of the project is to provide support to children (in early choildhoo) and their families from vulnerable groups in the municipalities of Kozloduy and Mizia, mainly from Roma communities . The key purposes are:to improve access to health care, develop parenting skills, improve the family environment, and children’s readiness for integration into the school system , and also generally reducing the chances for transmission of poverty between generations.
The specific objectives of the project are:
- To develop and implement comprehensive integrated measures aimed at improving access to education, health protection and development of social skills of children aged 0-6 from the municipalities of Kozloduy and Miziasia, who live in isolated rural and urban areas, mainly poor areas with high risk of poverty, social exclusion and marginalization;
- To create, differentiate and develop 5 functionally connected hubs for the implementation of a complex of educational, health and social services for the targeted children and families , by doing the following:
- Piloting a new Hub in the Club building in Yantra quaters, providing a range of functional services that contribute to improving the quality of life, social inclusion and early childhood development of children from vulnerable groups;
- Piloting of a new Hub in the public building in the municipality of Mizia;
- Expansion of the existing Center for Management and Functioning of Early Childhood Development Services in the building of Zvanche Kindergarten;
- Expansion of the existing Center for Management and Functioning of Early Childhood Development Services in the building of Vasil Levski Primary School - a segregated school with a preschool group - and its transformation into a coordination point for the 5 functionally linked hubs
- Ensure the active involvement of the community in the planning and implementation of measures.
Summary of project results
The main challenges of the project were to involve and activate parents to increase parental capacity and build parenting skills; to improve the family environment, increase the school readiness of children for inclusion in the educational system, as well as to create mechanisms to limit the transmission of poverty between generations.
Staff (3 educators and 2 mediators) was recruited for the main activities in the hubs created. A survey was conducted in order to identify the needs of the target group, after which a methodology was developed for the provision of services for the development of the Complexes of functional services (hubs). The qualifications of those working with children 0-6 years old were improved, as trainings for early childhood education and care were held. Activities related to education and early childhood care were conducted; 6 groups by interests were formed for various activities with the aim of improving school readiness of children from low-income families. Activities to engage and activate parents were carried out - meetings and discussions were held with parents to increase their parental capacity. A large-scale social inclusion event called “Growing together” was held to present the skills of the children. 2 trips were organized to visit and present historical sites in Bulgaria.
The project introduced complex integrated measures aimed at improving the access to education and development of social skills for children aged 0-6 years from Kozloduy and Mizia municipalities, who live in isolated rural and urban, mostly poor areas with a concentration of problems creating risk from poverty, social exclusion. Conditions were created for the active involvement of the community in the implementation of the activities through the created functionally connected hubs to support children from vulnerable groups.
Summary of bilateral results
O.M.A.H.A.I.''s representative assisted the project promoter in determining the activities falling within the scope of the project and preparation of any information, data and documents necessary for preparation of project activities. 3 online meetings were organized for exchange of experience and good practice. Partner''s representatives visited Kozloduy and had meetings with the stakeholders where Bulgarian educational institutions were represented. At a working meeting in the municipality, the educational practices of the two countries, Bulgaria and Iceland, were discussed. Partner''s representatives visited the hubs, educational institutions, and had meetings with representatives of the project''s target group. This helped improve the partner''s knowledge and understanding of the situation in the beneficiary state and formulate better suggestions for the measures implemented under the project. During a visit to Iceland, the project promoter''s representatives took part in a number of work meetings in 3 kindergartens, an early education center and an University. They had the opportunity to observe a pedagogical situation directly and become familiar with innovative practices and interesting methods for working with children. Diverse topics were covered, such as education policy in Reykjavik, the preschool system in Iceland, special education and support in preschool institutions, good practices for teaching in a multicultural environment, innovative methods of early childhood education.