Description
The project addresses the challenges faced by community centres in Bulgaria related to lack of exchange of best practices, professional experience and data. The project aims at boosting the capacity of 22 community centres in South-West Bulgaria by setting up a network. First, a large-scale public awareness raising campaign will be launched in South-West Bulgaria. Second, the administrative staff of community centres will be trained to administer the newly developed network. Third, 66 tutors will be involved in the introduction of informal education and innovative methods in community centres. Next, volunteers will be attracted to support them. Finally, community centre work will be promoted among students aged 10-14 and a round table with the stakeholders will be held in Blagoevgrad. The project will benefit the students aged 10-14, parents, community centre teachers and local communities in South-West Bulgaria. The 2 partners will help with their extensive experience.
Summary of project results
Through the implementation of the project an internal network was established among community centres in the regions of Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil and their capacity was developed by improving working skills and competencies of secretaries and artistic directors in those centres. This was achieved through conducting of training seminars for secretaries and directors of artistic groups, which has contributed to the exchange of experience and presentation skills of the secretaries of community centres. Results achieved by the project: • Renovated facilities; • 90 secretaries and directors of artistic groups from community centres in Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil region exchanged experiences and participated in training workshops; • 10 volunteers trained for working with interactive methods with children; • 50 interactive workshops with children implemented; • Several public discussions of current topics initiated; • Information portal for the community centres in south-western Bulgaria was established. • Community centres which do not have their own website were presented with other opportunities to publish information; • Through the campaign the general public was informed about community centres’ activities and opportunities to involve new people in them; • Volunteers participated in the activities of the community centres; • A public festival was organized. • Partnerships between community centres, schools and NGOs were established.
Summary of bilateral results