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Description
Urban poverty is a special form of poverty in which the socio-economic gap among children is more pronounced. Croatia is one of the most impenetrable society (a child from Croatia has a 17 times lower chances to raise above their parents education and poverty status than in Norway). The project is focused on the problem of urban poverty of children (primary school age) in the city of Rijeka (about 500 children) and Gospić (about 1200 children) on short and long-term changes. 10 partners share the understanding that child poverty is a complex issue that requires complex response and diverse agents.
The project addresses (i) urban child poverty, (ii) underrepresentation of poverty and social justice as topics in education, (iii) lack of intersectoral cooperation, (iv) need for strengthening capacities of local stakeholders to support children and families, (v) direct support to children and families living in poverty and (vi) need to raise citizens'' awareness on children living in poverty.
The project intervention contains 6 packages of activities to achieve the main objective - Strengthened civic awareness and cooperation of CSOs, public institutions, local authorities, private sector and citizens to combat urban child poverty and 3 specific objectives - SO1 - Improved local policies and practices to support children living in poverty; SO2 - Mobilizing and sensitizing citizens for quality direct support to children and families living in poverty and SO3 - Promoting educational topics of poverty and social justice as part of Civic and Human Rights Education.
Key activities include A1. Mapping of measures and practices for combating child poverty in Rijeka and Gospić, A 2. Improving the strategic framework, A3. Cross-sectoral cooperation, A4. Incorporating Social Justice content into the Civic Education Curriculum at the level of high school, A5. Support to children and people living in poverty in Rijeka through civic engagement and A6. Public sensitization.
Summary of project results
The project "Moje mjesto pod suncem" (My Place in the Sun), led by our organization, the Center for Culture of Dialogue Rijeka, in partnership with nine partner organizations, addresses urban child poverty, the underrepresentation of poverty and social justice issues, the lack of quality intersectoral cooperation, the need to strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders to support children and families, the need for comprehensive direct support to children and families living in poverty, and the need to sensitize citizens to support children living in poverty.
The project intervention included 6 activity packages with 15 results and 13 impacts to achieve the project goals. The general objective was to enhance civic awareness and cooperation among civil society organizations, public institutions, local authorities, the private sector, and citizens to combat urban child poverty. The three specific objectives were: SC1 - Improving local policies and practices to support children living in poverty; SC2 - Mobilizing and sensitizing citizens for quality direct support to children and families living in poverty; and SC3 - Promoting educational topics on poverty and social justice as part of civic education and human rights education.
The activities included:
- A1. Mapping measures and practices to combat child poverty in Rijeka and Gospić
- A2. Improving the strategic framework
- A3. Intersectoral cooperation
- A4. Integrating social justice content into the GOO curriculum for secondary schools
- A5. Supporting children and families living in poverty in Rijeka through citizen engagement
- A6. Public sensitization
The target groups were:
- CS1 – Local authorities in Rijeka and Gospić
- CS2 – Service providers
- CS3 – CSOs from Rijeka and Gospić
- CS4 – 40 children living in poverty in Rijeka
- CS5 – 30 families living in poverty in Rijeka
- CS6 – Higher education institutions
- CS7 – Business entities
- CS8 – Citizens of Croatia
Roles:
- CeKaDe will lead all activity packages (except A6).
- The City of Rijeka will facilitate the participation of CSOs in improving the strategic framework.
- CZSS RI will have a special role in packages A3 and A5.
- EI will conduct research.
- Fafo will participate in developing recommendations and a study visit to identify good practices.
- CSO DND Gospić and the City of Gospić will work on adapting the support model for children and families living in poverty.
- The Rotary Club will influence the business sector to support children living in poverty.
As part of Work Package 1, we planned to publish a research report on urban child poverty based on the results from 140 households (120 in Rijeka and 20 in Gospić) and focus groups with 15 individuals from households with minor children. Due to difficulties in finding respondents and their (un)willingness to cooperate, the achieved number of respondents was 120 (88 in Rijeka and 18 in Gospić), with 106 questionnaires used (88 from Rijeka and 18 from Gospić) and 11 people participating in focus groups in Rijeka. Focus groups were not conducted in Gospić. The research team leader assessed that these changes would not affect the validity of the research. Consequently, the research paper on urban child poverty in the Rijeka and Gospić areas was published based on the results from 140 households (120 in Rijeka and 20 in Gospić) and focus groups with 15 individuals from households with minor children. Recommendations were made based on the results. The report "The Challenge of Poverty and Social Exclusion of Children in the Rijeka and Gospić Areas: Analysis and Recommendations" was finalized and prepared in digital format. Based on the recommendations, steps have been taken to establish the Center for Child Wellbeing Research in Rijeka.
In Work Package 2, we planned to include at least 2 goals with corresponding measures and two monitoring mechanisms as a result of CeKaDe''s initiative, which we achieved. Between January and December 2021, the City of Rijeka''s Development Plan/Strategy 2021-2027 was adopted, incorporating 2 goals and corresponding measures initiated by CeKaDe through public consultation and advocacy. The goal we advocated within Specific Objective 1.2, "Healthy, Active, and Socially Sensitive City Attractive for Living," was the development of social security programs for citizens and Rijeka as a healthy city, in terms of developing a social care system that provides more social rights and forms of assistance than defined by law. One of the main goals of the Measures related to Strategic Objective 2, "Working in Rijeka 2030," included a proposal to promote social entrepreneurship in the City of Rijeka. Within Specific Objective 1.1, "Education as a Function of Quality of Life and Strengthening the Economy," a proposal was adopted for the City of Rijeka to increase the availability of preschool education programs.
As a result of CeKaDe''s advocacy, the first Action Plan for combating child poverty in the City of Rijeka and the monitoring mechanisms for its implementation were not created. However, an evaluation of the City''s social program from the perspective of users was conducted, after which the development of a specific strategic document was considered. This document should be directed not only at children and families but also at other vulnerable groups of citizens. In addition to the announced revision of Rijeka''s social program, another outcome was achieved: the amendment by the Možemo party to the City of Rijeka''s Budget Proposal for 2023 and budget projections for 2024 and 2025, which proposed securing funds for Social Mentoring, was included in Rijeka''s budget. The City of Rijeka announced a call for projects/programs for social mentoring service providers in 2023, with the Terra Association and the Center for Culture of Dialogue selected.
On April 27, 2022, a one-day national conference on Urban Child Poverty in the Rijeka and Gospić areas was held, where the research results and recommendations were presented to relevant national and local stakeholders, with 62 participants. On May 26, 2023, a conference titled “Presentation of the Model and Project-Enhanced Institutional and Civic Practices for Supporting Children and Families Living in Poverty” was held with 52 participants from relevant national and local stakeholders.
Due to changes in Civic Education in secondary schools, specifically changes in the methodology for selecting problems for students to address, where students did not choose a topic related to providing hot meals to children living in poverty, the planned sub-activity 2.3 "Advocacy Initiative of CeKaDe and Rijeka High School Students" could not be implemented. Instead, the following sub-activities were planned: 2.3. Advocacy Initiative of CeKaDe and Rijeka Students, 2.3.4. Mapping potential donors in the City of Rijeka and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County who would donate hot meals to children living in poverty, 2.3.5. Designing an advocacy initiative by CeKaDe and students towards the University of Rijeka, the Red Cross, and other business entities, and 2.3.6. Implementing an advocacy action for donating hot meals to children living in poverty. In this direction, a donation agreement was signed with the University of Rijeka’s Student Center to provide hot meals to 20 of our users instead of 40, as meals or hot meals were already secured for primary school students, reducing the need. Consequently, we believe the target outcome of at least one catering facility providing hot meals to children living in poverty in Rijeka was achieved, and the indicator service of the Rijeka Food Bank serves at least 40 children living in poverty. This was achieved by being registered in the Food Donation Chain Registry as a food donation intermediary under registration number 143, as of August 29, 2023.
In Work Package 3, we planned to form the Intersectoral Platform "Moje mjesto pod suncem" (My Place in the Sun), which would include at least 5 institutional members who would meet regularly and address poverty issues. Despite the planned 5 members, the platform gathered 14 members who met every three months and addressed poverty issues in the City of Rijeka. In its work, the "MMPS Rijeka" platform launched one initiative to support children and families living in poverty in the City of Rijeka: the mobile app Qdrome - Heroes Nearby, which connects donors and users. The idea of joining this app emerged during intersectoral platform meetings, making it the first joint initiative for supporting children and families within the platform. Additionally, negotiations for establishing a Children''s Observatory began; after a working meeting, the name was changed to the Center for Child Wellbeing Research in Rijeka. The elaboration of the Center''s founding regulations is currently in its final phase and will be sent for consultation with the working group members as a result of the research recommendations.
The Strategic Framework for the local intersectoral platform "Moje mjesto pod suncem" 2021-2023 was developed. Planned trainings on Intersectoral Cooperation, where issues/needs that could be effectively addressed through intersectoral cooperation were defined, and training on ''Living Diversity - Education for Social Justice,'' where participants gained knowledge about factors related to intercultural learning, generational transfer of starting positions, development of prejudices and stereotypes, and how these are transmitted to children, were conducted.
The CSO DND Gospić developed a Strategic Plan for the period 2022-2026 and applied for a project to support children living in poverty, but did not receive funding.
In Work Package 4, it was planned to jointly develop a module ''Poverty and Social Justice'' for educational professionals in secondary schools in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County within the designed curriculum. However, during the implementation, it became apparent that certain topics chosen by high school students should be covered in school hours, including the topic ''Poverty and Social Justice,'' but they did not select this topic.
In Work Package 5, it was planned that over three years of project implementation, 15 families (5 each year) would be included in the social mentoring program. Over the three years of the project, 16 children, 9 volunteers, and 4 employees were involved, which is more than expected. It was observed that in the third year, employees, especially social mentors, played a significant role in implementing the pilot project due to the need to include children with more complex family dynamics and greater life challenges. Consequently, it is assessed that employees will be better prepared to face potential challenges in working with these children and respond timely and effectively to their specific needs.
During 2021, 30 initial interviews were conducted, 1240.25 volunteer hours were completed, 861 hours of learning support were provided, and 379.25 hours of interactive workshops were conducted.
In 2022, 30 initial interviews were conducted, 1332.83 volunteer hours were completed, 984.1 hours of learning support were provided, and 348.75 hours of interactive workshops were conducted. In addition to the volunteer hours, 22 hours of Daycare were held.
In 2023, 5 initial interviews were conducted, 1338.6 volunteer hours were completed, with 812.35 hours of learning support and 526.25 hours of interactive workshops. In addition to the volunteer hours, 108 hours of Daycare were held.
Furthermore, 9 parent meetings (3 meetings per year) and 12 supervisory meetings (4 per year) for volunteers were held as planned.
In Work Package 6, 156 social media posts (52 posts per year) and 15 media posts (5 posts per year) about the project''s achievements were planned. We achieved 168 social media posts, 12 posts on the website, and 32 media posts.
From January to December 2021, the City of Rijeka Development Plan/Strategy 2021-2027 was adopted, incorporating 2 goals and corresponding measures initiated by the CeKaDe association through public consultation and advocacy. One of the main goals related to Strategic Objective 2, "Working in Rijeka 2030," was the proposal to promote social entrepreneurship in the City of Rijeka. Within Specific Objective 1.1, "Education as a Function of Quality of Life and Strengthening the Economy," the proposal was also adopted for the City of Rijeka to increase the availability of preschool education programs.
During the project, an informal intersectoral platform called "Moje mjesto pod suncem" (My Place in the Sun) was established, consisting of 14 members representing local authorities, public institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations. The platform''s work is planned to continue after the project''s completion. The Strategic Framework for the local intersectoral platform "Moje mjesto pod suncem" 2021-2023 was developed. The Qdrome app, created at the initiative of platform members, was activated to connect donors and users of the MMPS program with the aim of supporting families in the program. A 2-day online training on Intersectoral Cooperation was held, defining issues/needs that can be effectively addressed through intersectoral cooperation, as well as a 4-day training on ''Living Diversity - Education for Social Justice,'' where participants gained knowledge about prejudices and stereotypes and how these are transmitted to children.
A research paper on urban child poverty in the Rijeka and Gospić areas was written, and recommendations were made based on the results. The report “The Challenge of Poverty and Social Exclusion of Children in the Rijeka and Gospić Areas: Analysis and Recommendations” was finalized and prepared in digital format. Based on the recommendations, steps were initiated to establish the Center for Child Wellbeing Research in Rijeka.
A social mentoring program aimed at children from lower socio-economic backgrounds was designed and implemented. This program included 15 families, 9 volunteers, and 4 employees who were trained for the social mentoring process, and the activity is planned to continue.
In the first year of the project, 23 new volunteers and 18 children joined the program. In the second year, 14 new volunteers and 15 children joined, and in the third year, 27 new volunteers and 11 children joined. During 2021, 30 initial interviews were conducted, as well as in 2022, and 5 in 2023. Furthermore, in 2021, 1240.25 volunteer hours were completed, 861 hours of learning support were provided, and 379.25 hours of interactive workshops were held. In 2022, 1332.83 volunteer hours were completed, 984.1 hours of learning support were provided, and 348.75 hours of interactive workshops were held. In 2023, 1338.6 volunteer hours were completed, including 812.35 hours of learning support and 526.25 hours of interactive workshops. The workshops included computer science, sewing, majorettes, empowerment, drama, chess, music, eco, creative, and DJ workshops. In addition to the described activities, 22 hours of Daycare were held in the second year and 108 hours in the third year. Over the 3 years, children visited 36 cultural sites, 9 parent education sessions were held, and 12 volunteer education sessions were conducted.
To raise awareness among citizens about poverty and promote the project, 168 posts were made on social media, 12 on the website, and 32 in the media. An online campaign was created and implemented, a roundtable on the same topic was organized, and an exhibition was set up on the Rijeka Korzo.
Summary of bilateral results
Billateral partner Fafo Research Foundation (Fafo Institute for Labour and Social Research), Oslo participated in the development of recommendations and a study visit for the identification of best practices.