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Description
The project supports existing and develops new activities of the Opportunity Centrum Valaská (OCV) with the following basic goals, increasing their sustainability - activities in the field of social economy, increasing accessibility and range for marginalized community and people in Valaská and its surroundings - extending registered social services, and improving the quality of services for different communities and people facing social exclusion - educational and non-discrimination activities.
The project fundamentally supports cross-cutting issues, such as gender equality - most of the employees in the OCV are women - this directly supports gender in MRC equality through empowering women, their self-support, and mutual support. Roma inclusion and empowerment - the project focuses on the Roma population, their empowerment through education, employment, social services, and their participation. Project relevant support is in the social inclusion of the vulnerable groups other than Roma - due to the structure of community and social enterprise, the project also focuses attention on women over fifty, and disabled people. Anti-discrimination - the rejection of any discrimination is a key principle of the project. Transparency and anti-corruption - although the project does not focus directly on this area, it is one of our fundamental values.
The partner WASCO''s will provide the management of extension of the laundry operation and securing enough turnover to keep employment. COaP Organisation will methodically oversee the educational part of the project and design of the Career centre. The Norwegian partner Newschool will bring know-how and methodology on action learning and learning arches. Experts of the Newschool will provide continuous online support and supervision and will arrange and assist in a study visit to Norway focused on social entrepreneurship.
Summary of project results
The Opportunity Centrum Valaská project aimed to address critical issues of social exclusion and economic marginalization in the Valaská region, with a focus on marginalized Roma communities (MRC) and other vulnerable groups. The initiative targeted interconnected challenges, including:
High unemployment rates: A significant portion of the local population, particularly low-skilled workers, long-term unemployed individuals, women over 50, and individuals with disabilities or past incarceration, faced persistent barriers to employment.
Limited access to essential services: Marginalized communities often lacked access to social services, educational opportunities, and resources critical for breaking the cycle of poverty and exclusion.
Scarcity of inclusive opportunities: The region lacked programs that effectively supported social reintegration through pathways such as employment, education, and community involvement for individuals from excluded or marginalized backgrounds.
This project sought to create a comprehensive and inclusive solution by developing a Multifunctional Inclusion Center that provided targeted interventions to bridge these gaps, empowering marginalized individuals and fostering their active participation in society.
The Opportunity Centrum Valaská project implemented a comprehensive set of activities to address social exclusion, foster inclusion, and promote economic opportunities in the region. It expanded the scope of services offered by the local social enterprise
(a laundry), creating over 20 new jobs for marginalized Roma communities (MRC) and increasing the volume of work opportunities in the local environment. To enhance access to support services, the project established a community center, extending accredited social services to underserved parts of the community and enabling new clients to benefit from its offerings.
The project also focused on educational initiatives, providing non-formal education and skill-building activities for both local and foreign youth. Specialized career counseling and training programs were introduced to improve the career prospects of marginalized youth, equipping them with skills for sustainable employment. Furthermore, inclusion-focused activities played a vital role in fostering social cohesion. A multicultural festival and other inclusive events were organized to promote coexistence and dialogue between the Roma minority and the majority population, creating a more inclusive and harmonious community.
Through these interconnected activities, the project delivered tangible outputs, addressing key challenges of unemployment, limited access to services, and social exclusion, while empowering individuals and strengthening community ties in Valaská and its surrounding areas.
The Opportunity Centrum Valaská project achieved significant results across various groups, fostering social inclusion, economic empowerment, and community cohesion. For marginalized workers, the creation of new jobs through social enterprises provided vital employment opportunities, particularly for the long-term unemployed and individuals from marginalized groups, enabling them to achieve greater economic independence. For the broader community, the expansion of social services and the increase in employment opportunities improved the overall quality of life, particularly in underserved areas of Valaská. These efforts also fostered a positive sense of coexistence between the local majority population and the Roma minority, strengthening community bonds.
For youth, the project’s educational programs offered skill development, career counseling, and inclusion activities, benefitting both local and international participants. These initiatives created new opportunities for marginalized youth, supporting their personal and professional development. Additionally, the project made significant strides in promoting cultural and social inclusion. Inclusive events, such as the multicultural festival, helped strengthen relationships between Roma and non-Roma communities, fostering mutual understanding and multicultural harmony.
By addressing social exclusion, unemployment, and limited access to services, the project delivered sustainable benefits that empowered individuals, enhanced community well-being, and promoted greater social cohesion in Valaská and its surrounding areas.
Summary of bilateral results
The involvement of the donor project partner provided crucial expertise and resources, significantly enhancing the implementation of the Opportunity Centrum Valaská project. By sharing best practices and knowledge from previous experiences, the partner introduced the project beneficiary to new teaching methodologies, fostering innovation and improving project outcomes. This collaboration also facilitated cultural exchange and mutual learning, promoting the adoption of more effective and innovative approaches. At the bilateral level, the project successfully strengthened ties between the donor and beneficiary countries. This partnership enabled capacity building through the exchange of technical skills, innovative solutions, and effective methods, enriching both parties. Additionally, the project beneficiary gained valuable insights into the functioning of social service provision in Norway, further enhancing the project''s impact. Looking ahead, the project beneficiary plans to expand this collaborative approach by cooperating with other donor country organizations, ensuring continued growth, innovation, and the application of international best practices in future initiatives.