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Description
The project aims to develop a complex package of quality social services adapted to the real needs of the beneficiaries, which includes local development measures in areas of education, employment, social assistance, housing and anti-discrimination. The beneficiaries are 1,265 people belonging to vulnerable groups from 8 communities, from Giurgiu and Prahova counties. Activities include: complex education programme for 400 children and 250 parents; employment measures for 400 unemployed and inactive people (counselling and information, vocational training and mediation in order to obtain a job); development of a pilot social service in the communities of Giurgiu County for 50 adults with disabilities for whom 50 beneficiaries of the employment measures provided in the project will provide social services as professional personal assistants; providing assistance, support and accompaniment in order to regulate the housing situation for 50 Roma disadvantaged persons; support services for the staff working with vulnerable groups to reduce stress for the staff, to acquire advanced knowledge in working with the beneficiaries, but also to facilitate the access to the resources necessary to carry out the activities with the vulnerable groups; anti-discrimination campaign carried out in the 8 communities to increase the level of social and community integration of the discriminated persons.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable populations in 19 rural communities within Giurgiu and Prahova counties, Romania. These challenges included:
- Limited access to essential services – Many residents, especially in rural areas, have reduced or no access to quality education, healthcare, social protection, and employment services;
- High school dropout rates and poor educational outcomes – The region has high rates of early school leaving and disparities in education quality between rural and urban areas, leading to low levels of literacy and academic achievement;
- Low employment and workforce skills – A significant portion of the population, particularly in Giurgiu, is employed in agriculture, with limited opportunities for professional training, qualification, or job diversification. In Prahova, 44.6% of people have never attended a vocational training course, reducing employability;
- High levels of poverty and social exclusion – Many individuals, including Roma communities and people with disabilities, face systemic barriers to social and economic inclusion, including issues related to legal documentation, housing insecurity, and discrimination.
- Limited institutional capacity for social services – Giurgiu and Prahova have a low number of social assistance centers, limiting support for vulnerable groups.
- Discrimination and segregation – Roma communities and other marginalized groups experience stigma and exclusion, preventing their full participation in society.
The project proposed an integrated intervention that included educational support, workforce training, legal assistance, and anti-discrimination initiatives to break the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life for 1,767 beneficiaries.
The project developed an integrated package of social services tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, supporting 1,767 people from 19 communities in Giurgiu and Prahova counties. Through a multidimensional approach, the project included measures in the fields of education, employment, social assistance, housing, and anti-discrimination and implementing the following activities:
- Education support: provided an education programme for 460 children and 250 parents to enhance educational results and increase parental involvement;
- Employment measures: offered counselling, vocational training, and job placement services for 400 unemployed and inactive individuals;
- Housing assistance: helped 50 Roma individuals in severe material deprivation by providing support in securing stable housing;
- Support for professionals: offered training and resources to social workers and staff working with vulnerable groups to enhance their skills and reduce work-related stress; 84 people completed the personal assistant training course, and another 75 beneficiaries completed courses for kitchen assistant and cleaning agent, 23 people have completed the social services manager course, while another 50 people have graduated from the social mediator course;
- Anti-discrimination campaign: conducted awareness campaigns in 8 communities to promote social inclusion and reduce discrimination.
The project achieved significant outcomes and impacts for the vulnerable populations in the eight rural communities within Giurgiu and Prahova counties. The results were evident in multiple areas of social and economic well-being, benefiting the 1,767 beneficiaries, including children, parents, unemployed individuals, Roma communities, social service professionals, and marginalized groups, by improved educational participation, increased employment opportunities, enhanced quality of life for adults with disabilities, who received support from trained personal assistants, promoting independent living, strengthened capacity of social workers, leading to improved service delivery and reduced professional burnout, greater social inclusion due to anti-discrimination efforts, fostering a more supportive community environment.
Overall, the project’s integrated approach led to tangible improvements in the quality of life for the beneficiaries, addressing key social and economic challenges and contributing to greater social cohesion and empowerment.