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Description
Children in the municipality of Constância are the main beneficiaries of the “Cum Magna Cura” project, in which the younger population will have the opportunity to be next to firefighters and learn about their mission, through awareness raising activities in schools that promote volunteering, civic participation and social solidarity. The edition of a best practice manual is also planned in order to allow this experience to be replicated in other municipalities. The project will also promote a “School of Infants” in which, through weekly activities, children and young people will have the opportunity to develop civic skills and will be encouraged to plan and perform actions within the local community.
Summary of project results
In the Constância municipality, the project aimed to raise public awareness of the different activities carried out by firefighters. It also sought to promote social solidarity and educate children and young people about civic engagement within the community. In view of the size of the institution''s operations and the challenges of recruiting new volunteers, the project''s efforts were consistently focused on the recruitment of new volunteer firefighters.
In 2019, the project included events such as Children''s Day celebrations with traditional games and foam parties, and participation in the national firefighting skills competition. The school year began with fire engine demonstrations and foam parties, as well as awareness-raising activities about the everyday life of firefighters for secondary school students. The school for young cadets started and special awareness activities were conducted for primary school children. A volunteer awareness campaign was also launched.
In 2020, the project included an emergency simulation awareness campaign for all educational levels, first aid and emergency response training, and a COVID-19 awareness campaign that ran from September to November.
In 2021, the project included an online Forest Day awareness campaign in March, an online citizens'' initiative on hazardous materials in May, and the Firefighter Recruit School in June. In October, there was a citizens'' initiative on risk analysis in Constância, followed by a thematic day at the fire station in November, where participants could experience being a firefighter for a day. In December, a campaign was launched to collect books for children affected by the tropical storm in Mozambique.
In 2022, the project continued with a drive to collect goods for Ukraine in February, first aid initiatives for children in March, and tours of the fire station during a local holiday in April. In May, there were citizen initiatives on summer safety and water safety, educational activities, and an awareness campaign on the role of firefighters and society in providing assistance.
In quantitative terms, the following was achieved:
- 34 volunteers recruited by supported NGOs;
- 9 awareness raising campaigns carried out;
- 15 civic initiatives led by supported NGOs;
- 36% share of target group showing civic concerns.
In terms of capacity building, the promoter carried out a needs assessment and prepared an action plan.