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Description
Through the project a local center of support and civic action, active in the protection of women''s rights will be constructed in the commune of Predesti situated in Dolj county. The center will be a point of reference regarding the involvement of local civil society in supporting vulnerable groups, becoming a model of civic action that will encourage action also from other NGOs through the power of example, contributing in the long term at combating gender violence, mainly by providing assistance and counseling to victims, by conducting awareness campaigns as well as by monitoring the observance of women''s rights.
The project is a necessity in the rural area of Dolj County, where the number of women subjects to gender violence is very high; statistics show that in 2018-2019, 346 women suffered a form of domestic violence. Currently, there are no concrete actions in this regard neither by the local authorities nor by the NGO environment, poorly represented locally. Therefore, the main target group consists of women victims / potential victims of gender violence.
In addition to setting up the center, the project will inform 3000 locals on human rights and gender equality through the development of a specific campaign in this regard. The project will provide innovative psychological counseling services to the victims, aiming at contributing to the increase of at least 65 people in the number of women at risk who are ready to take attitude and leave the position of victim. After the ending of the project, the center will continue to provide free counseling services for a period of at least 5 years. Through the project a guide with minimum protection measures for women will be developed and exchanges of experience will be carried out with NGOs in the country and abroad. The partner from Norway will provide support in the implementation of the project activities through the expertise in the field.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at the establishment in Predeşti commune, Dolj county of a local support and civic action center aimed at protecting women''s rights and gender equality, concretely contributing to the local development of a socially involved NGO environment and, at the same time, contributing to the growth the capacity of local women, victims of gender-based violence, to manage the risk situations they face, aiming to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and offer support to victims.
The project carried out: an online and offline awareness campaign to inform the general public about the consequences of gender-based violence and encourage the reporting of cases; individual and group counseling sessions and VR therapy to help victims overcome trauma and rebuild their lives; establishment of a Help Line to provide immediate and confidential support to victims of violence; concluding four partnerships with local organizations and supporting a training for specialists in the field, in order to improve the quality of the services offered; conducting courses in fundraising, digital communication and storytelling and a fundraising campaign for the sustainability of the project.
In terms of impact, the project provided psychological counseling and individual therapy services through the VR technique to 65 people, and another 15 people benefited from group therapy. The awareness campaign contributed to the understanding of the issue of gender violence in the targeted communities by distributing 1000 flyers and 300 posters and carrying out information actions totaling 2816 beneficiaries. 25 specialists acquired new skills in the field of preventing and combating gender-based violence through the training provided by the Norwegian partner. The establishment of the Help Line telephone line and the construction of the local Center for support and civic action significantly improved victims'' access to specialized services. 15 people benefited from 72 hours of training that focused on fundraising, digital communication and storytelling. Also, a representative of the Applicant attended a course in the field of fundraising, later holding a Charity Ball following the information received.
Summary of bilateral results
The initial partner, Norwegian Moreno Institute, resorted to the dissolution of the association due to the poor management of the effects of the pandemic. Until the end of the partnership, Norwegian Moreno Institute did not carry out any of the activities assumed by the partnership agreement. The members of the original partner later founded Norsk Moreno Institutt, which became the new partner in the project. The partner Norsk Moreno Institutt provided support in promoting the project and in the awareness campaign through feedback, promotion and offline dissemination. Partner input was essential in activities A2, A6, A7, A8, A9 and A11. Communication was maintained via phone and WhatsApp, providing feedback and suggestions for intervention. Within the A2 and A6 activities, he contributed information and materials that were used in the published articles as well as in the materials created and distributed as part of the awareness campaign. For activities A7 and A8, the contribution of the Norwegian partner consisted in the supervision of specialists from the project team during the meetings organized. For the development of the guide for preventing and combating domestic violence, the Norwegian partner contributed with useful specialist materials and information. He was also responsible for the delivery of the psychodrama training course. The partner provided support through individual supervision, working materials and best practice exchange meetings. The supervision sessions took place by phone or video call, addressing themes of preventing and combating domestic violence and intervention in trauma situations.