Aim: The project “One approach – many solutions. Model for Integrated Development (MID) in Samokov” aims to provide opportunities to support the successful realization and social adaptation of the residents of the Roma neighborhood in the town. It envisages the implementation of a model for integrated development (MID) of the individual and the community, which is based on the life cycle of the person and the tasks he must solve at every stage of life: from early childhood to adulthood, developed by the Health and Social Development” Foundation (HESED).
The activities will cover over 10% of the population of the Roma neighborhood in the town. The project is based on a needs analysis, which covers 7 areas:
- access to health care,
- access to education,
- access to employment,
- access to social services,
- access to rights and opposition to discrimination;
- improvement of living conditions;
- preservation of cultural identity.
The project envisages the establishment of MIR-Samokov Center located near the neighborhood, providing functionally related services for Roma empowerment and successful integration in all spheres of social life, active field work with the isolated community in order to activate it for change, active work with local institutions and capacity building of the professional community to work in a multiethnic environment.
Project activities and services:
- Trainings for building of social and life skills in children and youths to stimulate their participation in social life and in the labor market;
- Health education for children and youths, parents and others in need;
- Trainings to improve parenting skills;
- Activity stimulation;
- Consulting and mediation;
- Information campaigns aimed at combating hate speech, discrimination, including online, etc.
The most essential part of the MIR model is the building of role models in the community to stimulate and prompt the Roma community towards positive change.
The project also includes various informational measures and events to change attitudes towards the Roma community, joint events with Samokov municipality and various informational campaigns.
Activities:
- Research at the start of the project for establishing the initial level of acceptance of the Roma people by the general population (at the places where the activities are implemented – municipal schools, kindergartens) and research at the end of the project on the effect of the campaigns for increasing mutual acceptance and knowing.
- Integrated services to support early childhood development, by improving parents’ knowledge and skills on healthy eating and stimulating children’s development.
- Integrated services for children and youths aimed at supporting children’s education as well as improving the social integration of youth.
A strategy will be drawn up for the development of services and improvement of the life of the Roma in Samokov in the next 5 years. Exchanging experience and improving bilateral relations with Norway activities are also planned.
Term: April 2022 – April 2024
Place: Samokov
Funding programme: Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Enhanced Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups
The project is implemented in partnership between Samokov Municipality, Health and Social Development Foundation (HESED), Seed Foundation – Samokov and the Bulgarian-Norwegian Association (BNF).
