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Description
The Project aims to strengthen capacity and sustainability of CSOs and Refugee/Migrant Led organizations (MRLOs) that operate on both sides of the divide, offering services to vulnerable persons within refugee/migrant communities, such as victims of trafficking, torture, and gender-based violence.
The project will develop and deliver training sessions promoting the adoption of interdisciplinary, multi-level and holistic needs assessment methods for attending vulnerable refugees/migrants, as well as that of operating principles that ensure transparent and accountable governance among CSOs/MRLOs in the sector.
The joint process of identifying and addressing capacity needs of CSOs and MRLOS in both sides of the divide will increase the capacity of partnering organizations and will allow for the development of relevant, updated, and meaningful training content, which will substantially increase participating CSOs’ and MRLOs’ ability to offer efficient, sustainable, and harmonized services to vulnerable refugees and migrants.
The bicommunal character of the project activities will facilitate networking between CSOs and MRLOs in both sides of the divide, allowing for the creation of a common operation framework and lay the foundation for wider useful synergies both during as well as after the completion of the project.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several critical issues, primarily focusing on empowering vulnerable groups, particularly refugees and migrants, and enhancing the capacity and sustainability of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Migrant/Refugee-Led Organisations (MRLOs) in Cyprus. The project sought to tackle the challenges of social exclusion, lack of operational capacity, and limited opportunities for these organizations to effectively support vulnerable populations. Additionally, the project aimed to overcome barriers related to the different operational contexts and legal statuses of refugees and migrants in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, facilitating better cooperation and knowledge exchange across the divide.
The project was implemented in four phases. The first phase involved analyzing the operational context and training needs of CSOs and MRLOs through desk research, self-assessment forms, and expert consultations. This phase resulted in reports on the needs of these organizations. The second phase focused on developing training materials based on the findings from the first phase, covering topics such as legal training, vulnerability assessment, self-care, advocacy, and financial management. In the third phase, the project delivered ten training sessions to CSOs and MRLOs, enhancing their capacity to work with vulnerable refugees and migrants. An additional training session on communications was also provided. The final phase included mentoring follow-up sessions for participants who had attended the training sessions, addressing specific topics relevant to their work. The project also organized an Info Day and a Closing and Networking Event to facilitate networking and dissemination of project results.
The project achieved significant results in empowering vulnerable groups and enhancing the capacity of CSOs and MRLOs. The project trained numerous participants from these organizations, improving their ability to provide services to vulnerable refugees and migrants. The training sessions covered a wide range of topics, ensuring a comprehensive approach to capacity building. The mentoring sessions provided further support, tailored to the specific needs of the participants. The project facilitated the exchange of knowledge and best practices between organizations operating in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, promoting bicommunal cooperation. The project also increased civic engagement and participation by enhancing the operational capacity of CSOs and MRLOs, ensuring better governance, transparency, and financial management. The dissemination and networking events further expanded the networks of these organizations, fostering collaboration and mutual support.