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Bulgaria
Past projects
Project:
Building Civil Society by Strengthening the Life Skills of Institutionalized Children
This project aimed at improving the situation of children in residential care institutions in Bulgaria. More than 1000 children from 14 institutions in Gabrovo, Stara Zagora and Sliven were reached by the project activities. More than 140 of their care givers and educators improved their qualifications and acquired new skills; this professional upgrade resulted in improved services for children, mostly in the stimulating their life skills to cope with difficult situations. One of the project’s outputs that deserves to be mentioned is a publication of book with training and resource materials prepared by the project participants and suitably named Lessons for Children and Adults.
Project Manager Iordan Iossifov
Van 2004
Tot 2007
Partner
Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation
Donor
MATRA Projects Programme,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Netherlands
Project:
Enhanced Capacity in Child Protection in Bulgaria
This project, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ran from October 2008 until July 2009. The main aim was to support the Agency for Social Assistance (an executive structure of the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy) to develop its training programmes for social workers at the 148 child protection departments around the country. The project included an intensive training component for social workers and other professionals working with children. The project was successfully completed with all planned training sessions having taken place and a total of 241 professionals having been trained (exceeding the number originally planned).
In 2009, two more rounds of training sessions for social workers were organized in the Vratsa and Sozopol regions of Bulgaria. Topics included ‘working methods with children’, ‘child development’, ‘recognizing and dealing with child abuse’, ‘cooperation with stakeholders’ and ‘the role of social workers’. These trainings were positively evaluated by the participants. We also developed a Training Manual which can be used for years to come.
A study visit to The Netherlands was organized for 15 Bulgarian social workers and representatives from the Agency for Social Protection. The group visited several Dutch agencies, like the Youth care bureau, Cardea Youth care and the Dutch Ministry for Children and Families. The study visit was designed to provide the participants fresh ideas and inspiration to take home.
Another important project activity was the drafting of a policy advice document by ICDI for the Agency for Social Assistance on developing ongoing training support for social workers in the child protection system. This document was well received and presented at a concluding seminar held in Sofia, which was attended by more than 50 people.
Project Manager Iordan Iossifov
Van October 2008
Tot July 2009
Partner
FICE Bulgaria
Movisie The Netherlands
Donor
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Matra Flex programme)
Project:
Home-type-based Care in Russe. Creating a healthy environment for former Mogilino children (and for those at risk of living in like-wise circumstances)
This is short-term structural support to one of the newest services in the reforming Bulgarian child protection system. It allows a Family-type Out-of-home Placement Center in Russe – one of the eight such services established after the Mogilino case was brought to the public attention – to improve the services it offers to the children with severe disabilities. The children benefited directly by increased outdoor activities and visits. The project also contributed to the professional capacity of the center: a special pedagogue and a kinesytherapist joint its staff; an interactive training focused on using intervision as a capacity building instrument took place with participation of Dutch specialists. The project also extended the international network of the Bulgarian partners and fostered new joint Bulgarian-Dutch initiatives.
Project Manager Iordan Iossifov
Van 2010
Tot 2011
Partner
Child and Space Association
Асоциация Дете и Пространство
Donor
Stichting Liberty
