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Description
The aim of the project is to start the process of systematic development of social agriculture in Slovakia and also reduce the insufficient amount of information on the benefits, impacts and needs of social agriculture.
The project is an output of the Working Group for Social Agriculture in Slovakia. This project will address the almost non-existent systematic development of this concept. With the assistance of a partner from Norway, Druživa o.z. will start development and achieve changes in legislation. Other activities of the project include discussion with the professional and general public, assistance in the establishment of social farms, education and provision of services for actors of social agriculture and their networking. The project will also contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation. The role of the Norwegian partner in the project is advisory and mentoring activities during the project implementation.
Summary of project results
Social farming in Slovakia is an emerging topic for different stakeholders. It integrates people with physical, mental or emotional disabilities in agriculture industry . The special added value of social farming is the possibility for disadvantaged people of being integrated in a living context, where their personal capabilities may be valued and enhanced. The project promoter indentified that this topic in Slovakia has very law or no legal framework and there are missing basic information and support for involved stakeholders and providers.
Therefore, the project promoter established a website, 8 support centers and provided 2 public courses supported by printed materials and video film document.
The greatest job was done, first of all, by conducting 7 live webinars called “Lets talk about social farming” where the project promoter have cooperated and invited as a speaker the Norwegian partner with high expertise and long-term practice in social farming. The Norwegian partner organisation have been very valuable partner and counselor of good practice in this project. And second, by organising an intenational conference "AGASI - AGRICULTURE AS AN ACTOR OF SOCIAL INCLUSION". The importance of the project is also emphasized by the fact that any activities in social farming in Slovakia were almost never made before and thanks to this project Slovakia can improve gained information and profit knowledge of international partners.
In additon, this project have led to one unexpected success. The responsible Ministry have set up a new job position responsible for social farming in it structure. This project have set the fundamentals of future social farming development in Slovakia, legal framework and its value, both for individuals and society as well.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership in this project have been the key essence of project success. Norwegian partner have provided valuable experiences, knowledge and expertise. The partner have attended the international conference and have made an interesting presentation. The project partner also have appreciated an opportunity to participate and cooperate as has gained new information and knowledge in topic from other countries present at conference. The project partner has provided a business trip to Norway for 3 days. During the business trip the public promoter has an opportunity to attend presentations and visit places of social farming in Norway. Information gained during this business trip have been very usefull for the work of the project promoter in Slovakia. The bilateral collaboration generated broader view in topic and cooperation with a partner has greatly increased the quality of the entire project.