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Description
Organisational Grant - implementation of the submitted strategy.
In preparing our capacity building plan (the organisation’s strategy), we have taken into account the changes in the external environment that we have diagnosed, including systemic and legal changes and access to sources of funding, including public funding as well as fundraising needs and digital solutions, e.g. obligations imposed on organisations under the Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Act. We also took into account the specifics of working with people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), local and regional collaborations and partnerships, as well as the stability and continued development of the team, efficient organisational management, the creation of a welcoming workplace and the care for wellbeing of members of the team. Our Foundation’s strategic objectives are: 1. To develop and implement a new organisational structure for the SYNAPSIS Foundation, 2.To increase the effectiveness in adapting our activities to the needs of the people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 3.To purchase and implement customer service tools (phone and digital platforms), with training for the staff as well as other digital tools, 4.Organisation of two events to inform about the progress, achievements and results, during which the Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme’s grant will be clearly and visibly communicated. The objectives of the SYNAPSIS Foundation include strengthening, promoting and supporting: the subjectivity of individuals in the professional environment, the humanisation of work; supporting mental health, the development of psychosocial skills, professional counselling and assistance.
Summary of project results
The implementation of the Institutional Grant was aimed at developing and strengthening the SYNAPSIS Foundation and increasing its effectiveness in the area of adaptation to the needs of the environment of people on the autism spectrum. From the previously carried out diagnosis of problems and needs, we have identified several key areas that are of strategic importance for the development of the SYNAPSIS Foundation and its activities, such as: - systemic and legal changes in the external environment of the SYNAPSIS Foundation - the need to conduct continuous advocacy activities and monitor changes in the law; - fundraising, lack of staff specialized in obtaining funds from non-public sources - the need to expand marketing activities and fundraising strategy; - outdated and non-functional organizational structure - the need to update and implement a new structure; - technique and technology, outdated technological and IT processes - the need to introduce new systems that meet the needs of the Foundation. The main activities under the Grant included strengthening the internal structures of the SYNAPSIS Foundation, establishing new partnerships and active participation in advocacy activities (consultations on legal acts and monitoring changes in the law). The number of people diagnosed on the autism spectrum is constantly increasing - according to the latest research, already 1 in 36 children is on the autism spectrum (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/features/new-autism-spectrum-disorder-report.html) . In carrying out the mission of the Foundation, we try to respond to the needs of our recipients on an ongoing basis and respond to changing external conditions, e.g. changes in the law. The grant allowed the SYNAPSIS Foundation to conduct its activities more effectively and continue its mission.
As part of the implementation of the Institutional Grant, we managed to: - expand the partnership activities of the SYNAPSIS Foundation with other non-governmental organizations, establishing five new partnerships. They were concluded with organizations for people on the autism spectrum in areas such as the availability of: culture, health care, respite care and supported housing; - increase the recognition of the SYNAPSIS Foundation among potential recipients of activities, informing about the Foundation''s activities and actively representing the Foundation at various events; - improve the competences of people working at the SYNAPSIS Foundation by participating in various types of training and courses; - create a new organizational structure of the SYNAPSIS Foundation, during a several-month process involving meetings with program managers to organize and update the structure, as well as external consultations; - create a strategy for the SYNAPSIS Foundation''s fundraising activities by establishing cooperation with a fundraiser; - strengthen the organization in terms of advocacy activities, especially by consulting various documents and legal acts; - strengthen the organization in terms of activities monitoring changes in the law; - strengthen the SYNAPSIS Foundation in the area of technology and digitalization by providing technical support necessary to perform everyday work for people on the autism spectrum, including the implementation of an electronic system for servicing the SYNAPSIS Foundation''s clients (keeping e-documentation); - strengthen the organization in terms of compliance with security procedures, including GDPR protection, through the continuous work of the Personal Data Protection Inspector and cooperating persons.
The institutional grant contributed to the internal strengthening of the SYNAPSIS Foundation and the expansion of its activities in many important areas. Thanks to the Grant, it was possible to carry out activities for which there is often no time or resources in the daily work of the organization. The greatest change resulting from the activities carried out can be observed among the recipients of the SYNAPSIS Foundation in the area of advocacy. Due to the fact that they strive for systemic changes that have a direct impact on the lives of people on the autism spectrum and, by monitoring changes in the law, they react to them, taking care of the interests of the environment. As part of the Grant, the SYNAPSIS Foundation has established five new partnerships with non-governmental organizations for people on the autism spectrum, in areas such as accessibility: culture, health care, respite care and supported housing. It was extremely important to create partnerships: Autism in Mazovia, which focused on issues related to housing, and the National Medical Network to improve the availability of treatment for people on the autism spectrum. The Autism in Mazovia Partnership carried out the campaign: Let''s start counting in Mazovia! by collecting anonymous survey data on the scale of housing needs of people on the autism spectrum in Mazovia. Based on the study, a report with recommendations was prepared and submitted to the authorities. Other entities were also inspired by the action. A great success of the Nationwide Medical Network was the intervention in the matter of the Regulation of the Minister of Health amending the regulation on guaranteed services in the field of psychiatric care and addiction treatment. The partnership''s activities led to changes in regulations, derogation of unfavorable changes and the publication of an Ordinance that restored the legal status regarding services for people on the autism spectrum to the state before the network''s action.