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Description
In the project "We focus on human!","EDRA" will be institutionally strengthened through the outlined activities of the Strategic Plan 2022-2024. More specifically and during the upcoming period, emphasis will be given to upgrading the volunteering department, increasing advocacy activities for vulnerable groups, enhancing the financial sustainability of the organisation, optimising procedures, maximising promotion and increasing the number of beneficiaries. At the same time, both the project and the strategic plan will contribute to the renewal, maintenance - acquisition of new support material for tools & services that are not covered by pre-existing grants as well as to the increase of know-how & development of human resources. As a result of the activities that will be carried out in the upcoming period, the organisation hopes to achieve, among other things: better services - Improved communication with organisations & beneficiaries - Greater efficiency of implemented projects -Rational use of resources - Implementation of new projects that contribute to financial sustainability – Intensification of actions that ensure sustainability.
Summary of project results
The project "People at the Center!" was designed to strengthen the organisational structure of K.S.D.E.O. "EDRA" and support the actions outlined in its Strategic Plan 2022-2024. After a 20-year journey and serving over 7,000 beneficiaries, EDRA aimed to enhance its service quality and update its processes by introducing new methods and tools. The funding provided an opportunity to upgrade its volunteer department, increase advocacy actions for vulnerable groups, improve financial sustainability, optimize internal processes, expand outreach, and acquire essential technological equipment and software. This enabled EDRA to increase its beneficiary reach, maintain, renew, and acquire new support materials and services not covered by previous grants, while also enhancing knowledge and developing human resources. By acquiring functional technology, EDRA was able to save time and encourage an evolutionary process within the organization, ensuring higher quality services, expanding to new audiences, and rebuilding its image with existing ones. Ultimately, vulnerable groups were the primary beneficiaries of these improvements.
The Organisational Grants do not include funding for the activities and outputs directly; rather, they are intended to support the core capacities and strategic development of the organisation itself.
The project "People at the Center!" significantly advanced the organisational capabilities of K.S.D.E.O. "EDRA" and reinforced its Strategic Plan for 2022-2024. This grant enabled the enhancement of various operational dimensions, impacting both the organization and its beneficiaries. Key achievements included establishing a structured volunteer department, which recruited and trained over 70 volunteers. These volunteers participated in multifaceted roles that extended EDRA’s outreach, resulting in an increased number of beneficiaries by 660 individuals from vulnerable groups.
The improved volunteer department allowed for greater support across EDRA’s existing programs and expanded advocacy efforts for underserved communities. Volunteers actively supported events such as the national and European sports initiatives for mental health, the ART4MORE festival, and other community-centered workshops and training sessions. Additionally, collaborative activities with local authorities and media outlets significantly boosted EDRA''s public profile and outreach, contributing to the overall goal of raising awareness about mental health and the needs of vulnerable populations.
Throughout the project''s implementation, EDRA integrated technology improvements, such as the installation of new digital tools and enhanced internal risk management systems, which optimized operational efficiency and time management. By upgrading digital media capabilities and launching targeted social media campaigns, EDRA extended its message of inclusion and mental health support to a wider audience. In particular, initiatives such as video campaigns and participatory activities strengthened the organization’s advocacy reach and positioned it as a hub for mental health awareness and inclusion within the local community.
Ultimately, this project cultivated a sustainable impact by fostering partnerships, developing human resources, and building an extensive network of volunteers committed to supporting vulnerable groups, thus ensuring the ongoing delivery of high-quality services and the organization''s long-term viability. Through these efforts, the direct beneficiaries—vulnerable individuals and families—gained access to essential services, and the broader community was engaged in supporting mental health, inclusion, and advocacy activities.