Main aim and activites:

The main goal of the project was aimed at increasing the quality of life of families from marginalized Roma communities in Gemer and Novohrad regions and starting the process of creating new functional neighborhoods in which residents live in legal family homes, work on self-development and development of their community. The main tool was the self-help program of construction of residential houses into personal ownership. The secondary goal was aimed at increasing financial literacy, employability and employment of the inhabitants of the Roma.

The absence of adequate housing affects employment, and conversely, unemployment affects the provision of adequate and legal housing. A low level of education affects how the family manages and cares for the new housing, but also vice versa, insufficient housing conditions cause children to fail in the education system.

The activities of the project were focused on 6 areas, namely: 1. Preparation of clients for self-help construction, 2. Preparation of construction sites of family houses, 3. Self-help construction of family houses, 4. Consultancy, 5. Education of workers in helping professions, 6. Creating partnerships between NGOs and public entities sector.

The impact of the project is felt not only by individuals, but by entire families or communities in the locations where we worked during the implementation of the project. We have entered into partnerships with representatives of municipalities or NGOs that care about solving the social exclusion of vulnerable groups. 5 families have started building a house. 60 people were actively involved in the project activities and it had impacted 163 vulnerable individuals.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 01/2023

Project Partner 1: Agentúra práce BBSK, n.o.
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The main objective of the project was to support young girls from Roma community so they do not lose self-worth. By carrying out activities, the project promoter wanted to develop various possibilities of self-realization for young girls, in particular to highlight the importance of continuation of secondary school studies and the selection of future employment. The project was aimed to contribute to the autonomy, self-esteem and self-realization of young Roma girls. Activities were focused on the following areas:

1. educational – education in the field of secondary school choice, sex education, financial literacy;
2. physical – organization of regular trainings and lectured hours in rented premises of a civic association;
3. motivation – motivation to achieve steadiness in the activities carried out, strengthening mental training, building in people the ability to set goals, visualize success, the ability to find solutions and not justifications for unfeasibility;
4. educational – education on sports discipline, mutual tolerance and adherence of ethical principles in joint trainings.

45 girls from the Roma community actively participated in the project.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 09/2022

Project Partner 1: Primary school with kindergarten in Trhoviste
Project Partner 2: The municipality of Trhoviste

Main aim and activites:

Children and young people at Lunik IX in Kosice city do not have the same starting line to life, including entering and operating in a school environment, in society, which is reflected in their low school success, self-esteem, life skills, or success in applications at the labour market. The aim of the project was to:

1. Help them with school success – regular tutoring and mentoring, implemented directly in the community.
2. Mediate opportunities of a cultural, social, educational nature to which they do not have access and which will help them to be in better interaction with the majority, bring them experiences that are not common to them and will motivating them to achieve higher life goals.

Project was focused on the children and youth of the marginalized Roma community living in the Lunik IX housing estate in Kosice. Project was very beneficial, since it not only strengthened the bond with children who already participated in organizations activities longer time, but also attracted new children and youth. Activities of the project consisted primarily of regular active education meetings, mainly in playful, casual forms. An important aspect is that a routine in the form of regular Monday meetings was created. This regularity helped to make significant changes in childrens education. The educational “trips” within the majority were also very important. More than 200 hours of lessons were realized and more than 20 experiential trips  were organized. New friendships and bonds have been formed. The older children became important role models for the younger ones. 60 vulnerable children and youth participated in the project activities.

Project timeline: 09/2021 – 11/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to strengthen the participation and status of vulnerable groups from marginalized Roma communities.

Main activities of the project:

• Creation of an advocation group from the members of the target group;
• Mapping community needs – community fieldwork to identify community needs;
• Work of the Petitions Group – preparation and implementation of petition action according to community needs, organization of roundtables with stakeholders in order to achieve the objectives set;
• Work of field care workers and community workers – performance of community work in the field;
• Educational activities and promotion of health literacy;
• Promoting participation and building the responsibility of the target group in improving housing conditions.

On the basis of mapping the needs of the Roma community in Velky Krtis, with which the organization have been cooperating for a long time, various problems that had to be solved were identified. Firstly – the threat of loss of drinking water supply for the entire street, due to the fact that the water meter shaft was in an emergency condition. Secondly – the high speed limit for cars and trucks at the street where a large number of children are playing. The third problem was broken sidewalks and roads. People from this community are not able to carry out such a reconstruction or advocate for themselves.

Project timeline: 09/2021 – 10/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to provide advice on finding work and preparing for the work process for Roma from the District of Velky Krtis and at the same time to educate pupils of the 8th and 9th grades of primary school in Krasnohorske Podhradie, which is attended by 100% of Roma pupils and motivated them to apply and continue study at secondary school. The main activities of the project were: a) job counselling, b) mentoring at school, c) feedback from project participants and evaluation of project aims and activities.

Another part of the project consisted of the activities that were held with the cooperation of second partner of the project – Primary school Krasnohorske Podhradie. Pupils from this school are almost exclusively from the Roma minority. Mentors were working with the pupils on regular basis and provided mentorship on various topics, such as health, hygiene, school attendance, and importantly preparation for the future study and/or profession.

Overall, 44 people from the vulnerable group benefited from the project. Couple of them were able to get employed, or opened their own businness during the project implementation.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 03/2023

Project Partner 1: Kamenárstvo STONE s.r.o., Sady nad Torysou
Project Partner 2: Primary school Krásnohorské Podhradie

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to avoid the process of excluding marginalized individuals, to contribute to the development of a positive social perception of vulnerable people through their integration in social enterprise, to create opportunities in the field of education and employment, to provide social and career counselling. The main activities of the project included job counselling, practical courses and trainings, activities for development and support of social enterprise.

The implementation of the project prevented the process of excluding individuals to the margins of society, contributed to development of a positive social perception of vulnerable persons through an integrative social enterprise, improved the social integration of Roma in the city of Banska Bystrica, created opportunities in the field of education and employment and provided social and career counseling. The target group consisted of 12 vulnerable persons who had multiple disadvantages, and therefore are among the most vulnerable group of the population, which is at risk of social exclusion and poverty. People who were in difficult life situations were selected for the project, e.g. were released from serving their sentence or persons who did not have their own housing, etc. In most cases, these were unemployed people who had no work experience and their education was only basic.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 05/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Relations and cooperation between marginalized Roma communities in Levocske Luky and Hajik and cities of Spisska Nova Ves and Levoca were very weak. In the project a space for mutual communication was created. During the project multiple meetings took place – representatives from Roma communities have visited the deputies and representatives of the cities, and on the other hand, also mayors and deputies visited Roma communities. The project promoters analysed the cities strategic documents and found out that cities have had insufficient information about the mentioned Roma communities and perhaps therefore did not think enough about their development. They also usually do not invite people from Roma communites to prepare documents.

3 discussion forums in both of the Roma communities took place. The project promoters profiled general and specific problems, as well as problems of children and youth, wrote them down and delivered them to deputies and mayors. The project promoters also recommended how to proceed in bringing about the change for the better. The project promoters sent some identified problems to the deputies and representatives from Roma communities spoke about some of them in the plenary sessions during the city councils. The mayor of the city Spisska Nova Ves personally visited the Hajik location 3 times during the project to take an interest in its problems. The mayor of Levoca also visited Levocske Luky. In September, the city built a playground and organized football tournament at Hajik. Methodical procedure was created on how to prepare and enforce local policies towards marginalized Roma communities. Project had an impact on 1200 Roma people from both of the mentioned communities.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 01/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project aimed to acquire practical skills of the disabled, including Roma, that they could use in their life.

Medically disadvantaged clients lack practical skills that they could use in everyday life and they also lack family role models from whom they would learn everyday activities. The project activities wanted to increase the practical skills of the medically disadvantaged, provide opportunity for work and volunteer activities in the community and active spending of their free time.

The project promoters involved cooperation with seniors, children and youth from the village Chocholna-Velcice to participate in volunteer activities in the community and to spend their free time actively and purposefully. As part of intergenerational learning, we wanted disabled participants to find their role models in the seniors and other participants – both from a professional and human point of view and to create relationships of trust and friendship that would enrich the lives of all involved.

Activities of the project involved: 1. Planning activities – identifying the need for volunteer work in the village, 2. 11 volunteer activities that aimed at beautifying the village, 3. 8 educational workshops, 4. 8 exploration trips, 5. 5 discussions in a form of living books – motivational discussions with people who make a living mainly by manual labor and who have inspired the target group with their lives. 47 disabled people were involved in the project activities, overall 123 people participated – including seniors and young people and children from the village.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 06/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to integrate Roma children into physical and dance training, leading them to regular dance activities. The project contributed to empowering and skills of vulnerable population, especially Roma from marginalized communities in Velka Ida municipality. After-school physical activities are undoubtedly necessary, especially in locations without suitable possibilities for self-realization of children. By creating dance choreography, the project will give Roma children the opportunity to present themselves in public which will help to increase mutual tolerance between pupils of majority and minority.

The main goal of the project was to organize for Roma children regular (twice a week) movement and dance trainings and the creation of a dance group of Roma children. The group consisted of Roma children as well as children from the majority. This resulted in mutual acceptance and tolerance of each other. The main result of the project was the presentation of the rehearsed choreography in front of the public. By creating a space for the presentation of Roma children to the public, it promoted integration of Roma children into the majority society in a non-directive manner. Overall 3 public presentation of the dance group were held with big public attendance. Attending regular activities on the other hand motivated the children to also attend school regularly.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 09/2022

Project Partner 1: Primary school Velka Ida
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

By implementing the project, the organization actively promoted volunteering and motivated the general public to get involved, connected many organizations with those interested in volunteering, and educated organizations on how to properly work with volunteers.

The project has undertaken a number of activities that have also targeted young people and the disadvantaged. 4 own programmes were implemented, 7 schools with more than 300 pupils were involved in the Volunteering Education Programme and 107 pupils from 6 schools were involved in the Children’s Volunteering Day. The I am here for you programme, working with 7 institutions, provided tutoring for a total of 75 children from disadvantaged backgrounds and involved 64 volunteers. 18 volunteering opportunities were created and organised for companies. Volunteering Week was implemented with an extensive campaign, involving 70 organisations, including 6 local government representatives, and a total of 694 volunteers. 12 volunteer management training sessions were organised, 3 supervision sessions for coordinators, 4 supervision sessions for volunteers and 190 consultations on volunteer programmes were provided. Last but not least, the project was able to publicly thank, recognize and present awards to exceptional people and organizations who have demonstrated unique work in helping others through the Heart on the Palm event in 2022.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 04/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to stimulate new business plans, ideas and innovations of mums from Eastern Slovakia, to support their entrepreneurial skills and to increase self-esteem, to highlight the potential and uniqueness of handmade creation for entrepreneurship through successful examples from practice, and to establish the brand TWO hands of mums as a tool to educate and inspire women on parental leave. The main activities of the project were creative workshops led by experts who guided the target group through a creative process from idea to setting up their own business.

The series of workshops continued the successful previous year project. It was intended for women – mothers from eastern Slovakia dependent on parental allowance, who are interested in entrepreneurship in the field of handmade creation, but do not have the opportunity to acquire practical skills or the necessary information. Project created an environment that would allow them to use their own skills with business potential. The realized workshops brought them closer to the reality of business and taught them new handmade techniques. Cooperation with Dorka Bags, n.o. was established, which offers the opportunity of employment in a tailoring workshop to mothers from disadvantaged backgrounds. Under the guidance of professional experts, the participants gained not only theoretical knowledge, but especially practical skills for their further work. 91 women – mothers actively participated in the workshops. Overall project goal was and still is to stimulate new business intentions, ideas and innovations from Eastern Slovakia, to support business skills and increase mothers self-confidence and entrepreneurship.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 12/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

People with intellectual disability are one of the population groups with the lowest quality of life. Depending on the degree of disability, they need different degrees of help, from little support to total care. As a result of significantly reduced intellectual abilities, they have problems not only in perception, understanding and learning, but also in adaptive behavior, under which many social and practical skills of everyday life fall. Creative brand Hento Toto is dedicated to the education and development of artistic skills of these people and presenting their art to the public. Based on many years of experience, the project promoters decided to turn their artistic hobby (drawing, painting, graphics) into work and “use” their unique art as a way to social inclusion and thereby increase their quality of life.

In 2022, we obtained the status of a social enterprise and employed the first 3 people with mental disability. The project activities consisted of: planning and material and technical provision, stabilization of the team, education and production and sales and media coverage. Project resulted in 1500 graphic designs, 26 prototypes of new products, 13 products to order, 3 workshops, sales in 60 stores, sales via eshop, granting the status of a social enterprise, employment of 3 draftsmen with disabilities.

Project timeline: 09/2021 – 04/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project was focusing on supporting employment opportunities for people with disabilities (Asperger’s syndrome and autism) and young people and elderly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The main challenge in the location where the project was implemented is the low availability of support, services and opportunities for the development of young people and their families. Primary target groups in the project were children, young people and families with autism, Asperger’s syndrome and other types of health disabilities, but also families from a socially disadvantaged environment or families with multiple disadvantages – for example, Roma families with a child with autism. Thanks to the project, the project promoters were able to implement regular leisure activities in two day centers – Lucenec and Velke Zlievce during the twelve months period. Sports activities, creative workshops, music therapy and canistherapy as well as trips to the surrounding area were organized. The project promoters involved up to 87 participants. For young people and adults with neurodevelopmental differences, the project promoters prepared educational activities tailored to their educational needs, guided young people through the topics of internet safety, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. 31 participants took part in this trainings. Project naturally brought the themes of acceptance of diversity into the communities where it was implemented.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 02/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The implementation of the project made it possible to create a space for young people to communicate the problems they face as a group and at the same time to name the obstacles that, according to them, hinder the development of the village where they live. It supported their efforts to contribute to positive change through a local public output – campaign. In the Look Up Stand Up project, during the year 2022 the project promoters cooperated with groups of local young people aged 15-22 in 4 locations. After establishing local partnerships, identifying the needs of young people and participatory mapping of locations, the project promoters prepared a series of trainings focused on the presentation of individual groups using positive narratives and the creation of campaign action plans as project outputs.

Thanks to the project, the young people involved acquired skills that strengthen their ambition to enter decision-making processes at the village level and work on creating an inclusive environment in their municipalities. The campaigns and their preparation drew the attention of local actors (including political representation) and the public to the capacities, skills and untapped potential of Roma youth in the development of the community. Youth groups established cooperation with various actors at the local level and set the forms of future cooperation. 45 people from Roma youth were actively involved in the project activities.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 04/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to contribute to the reduction of discrimination and the elimination of prejudice against the Roma. The goal of the project was bringing the real world of the Roma closer to people, bringing a true picture of them and thus helping to break down prejudices in society. To achieve this, the project promoters decided to create podcasts and films – to highlight those who are successful in life. The project promoters also aimed to inspire other Roma to the path of a better life. The main results are 4 films that bring a different perspective on Roma life.

As part of the project, also 12 podcasts have been created so far, in which we bring information from the world of Roma. The importance of the project is mainly long-term, as we cannot evaluate their contribution in general during the short time of presentation of the production. Breaking down prejudices is a long-term issue, so we want to continue the activities of the project. Overall, 751 people participated in project activities.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 06/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project aimed to meet the complex needs of young people including unorganized youth, disadvantaged youth groups, clients of the Reeducation Center and socially excluded groups. All these groups were involved in the accredited development program with the aim of developing their key competences for life and the labor market by linking non-formal education and providing a mentoring program.

At first, the project promoters mapped the current level of civic participation among 350 young people, which became the basis for further activities. Thanks to the implementation of open discussions/meetings and focus groups with representatives of 3 participating municipalities, it was possible to identify the needs, barriers and possibilities of participation. These activities contributed to the creation of mutual cooperation and communication. The project promoters implemented 10 local youth initiatives based on mapped needs, which brought positive ecological, social and educational impacts to the community. The project promoters created a working draft of the Concept of youth work in the city of Malacky and surrounding municipalities, which can serve as a basis for the development of youth work in the region. Young people involved in the project developed personal, social and educational competences. The long-term impact of the project is the development of civic participation of youth in the community. 60 people from the vulnerable group benefited from the project.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 06/2023

Project Partner 1: Integrácia študentov o.z.
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The Magical Pyjama project came out of the mutual cooperation of the organization Misia mladych and partner of the project – association Rovnovaha. After the pandemic of Covid-19, both organizations encountered a growing number of single mothers (divorced women, young widows) who were left without income. Goal of the project was to motivate these women and learn them a new skill – sewing, that could turn into their future income. Result of the project is the ability to sew a simple product independently – for each of the women.

Magical pyjamas helps women on one hand and children, who get pyjamas as a gift, on the other hand. Sewing classes took place under the supervision of a psychologist who created a confidential atmosphere and provided social and psychological training activities and activities focused on building self-esteem and increasing self-confidence. Interesting result came to fruition – initially unmotivated women continued with other forms of education (hairdresser, babysitter course, or continued in an advanced sewing course). These were not the originally planned results, but they are proof of the accepting and motivating approach of the lecturers. Overall – 24 women were involved in the lectures.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 03/2023

Project Partner 1: Občianske združenie Rovnováha
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was social inclusion and intergenerational cooperation in the field of new media and information and communication technologies – through workshops, on-line networking and different online application connect seniors and youth in a unique way.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 12/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project aimed to help disadvantaged young people to develop their strengths, determination, motivation, self-confidence, goal setting, the ability to get out of their comfort zone and actively spend their free time.

Overall 17 adaptive paddling workshops were held for young people with special needs. These courses together with mentoring program were the main activities of the project.

The project involved 147 participants with physical impairments (mainly visual or hearing impairments), or with mild mental handicap. Some of them engaged repeatedly in the activities. The main 3 results of the project are: 1. Building internal human capacities (unique know-how, experience); 2. Building material capacities (kayaks, special adaptive equipment) and 3. Creation of an innovative educational tool with impact for a specific target group. The project promoters developed a project/activities for a target group that is one of a kind in Slovakia. During a project they created various partnerships, mainly with schools for youth with special needs and with the municipality of Bratislava. The project promoters also established contact with 2 partners from the Czech Republic and 1 from Sweden, we plan long-term cooperation and sharing of good practice in 2023-24.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 10/2023

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

In the region where the project was implemented, approximately 30% of the population is made up of the marginalised Roma community. The needs and problems of this target group are inadequate living conditions, low financial literacy, low level of social, especially parenting skills, poor eating habits, low standard of living, low level of education and lack of work skills and habits. the project therefore focused on empowering these Roma communities by increasing their parenting competences and work skills.

The project implemented activities aimed at developing work skills in the areas of plant and animal care and woodwork, developing work habits, and developing parental competences. In the area of parental competences, the project promoters focused on children’s general development (preparation for pre-school and school age education, regular preparation for school), hygiene habits, household care and eating habits. We see the importance of activities that address basic life skills in the further development of the target group. 65 people were actively involved in the project activities and another 100 people from the vulnerable group benefited from the project.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 01/2023

Project Partner 1: Vaša charita, n.o.
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Cultural and social project for disadvantaged groups of the population (seniors) aimed at strengthening resocialization activities aimed at reimplementation and resocialization of the clients of facilities for the elderly and social service homes into social and cultural life and active elimination of anti-aging. The contribution of the project is the reintroduction of social activities into the lives of people enclosed between four walls with the impossibility of leaving them.

The project “For a more beautiful autumn of life” reflects the need for resocialization of seniors in social service homes and facilities for the elderly. The project’s activities were aimed at organising and performing professional classical music concerts in these facilities. The seniors were actively involved at the end of the performance by learning and singing songs together and talking with the musicians. It also promoted intergenerational cooperation between younger perfomers and seniors. The project helped to prevent the deepening of social isolation, promoted the fight against ageing and also rebuilt the negative perception of seniors by society. Thirty-six facilities for the elderly were visited and 3 069 seniors participated. The outcome of the project exceeded expectations, with many seniors remembering and talking about the concert for many months after the performance.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 11/2022

Project Partner 1: Kultúrna spoločnosť
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

From our point of view, the Romani SUV project was necessary and useful, it contributed greatly to the professionalization of the Romani SUV tailoring workshop focused on traditional Roma embroidery. The realization of the project resulted in the stabilization of woman workers working in the workshop. They underwent intensive training of tailoring and embroidery skills. The project has also created a space for learning the soft skills and social competences needed to be included in the labour market. The project promoters have made a major contribution to increasing the employability of Roma women involved in the project.

All women involved in the project had no work experience prior to the project. One of the activities of the project was also the preparation of a business plan, which is the basis for the registration of a social enterprise. An important activity was the operation of the tailor’s workshop itself as well as marketing activities.

The products that were created in the tailor’s workshop were presented at various events and distributed to public. A total of 94 people took part in the project. The project promoters have established cooperation with the municipality of Herľany, where they have allowed us to sell products at tourist attractive geysers.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 07/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project responded to the lack of suitable preparatory activities for long time unemployed people. The target group worked with requires increased time to learn the basic principles that employers usually take for granted and are expected to have at their disposal. The main activities were theoretical non-formal education and practical training in the form of an internship in a laundry. Participants’ awareness of the basic process, rules and responsibilities associated with employment varied.

Participation in the activities was supported by an informal agreement on job search assistance / employment in the social enterprise WASCO-druzstvo based on proof of internship skills. The employment of people from low-income environments requires a preparatory phase, after which the chances of the participant remaining in employment increase significantly. Standard companies and employers do not have the time or human capital to do so. Similar activities are an ideal preparation for future employees and the creation of specialized teams to train this target group has the potential to improve not only the employability of hard-to-find job seekers, but also their successful retention.

The project team opened the idea of ​​creating a specialized employment agency that would focus on preparing jobseekers in cooperation with the employment office and employers in the region.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 12/2021

Project Partner 1: Wasco
Project Partner 2: Tréningové centrum miestnej a regionálnej zamestnanosti, o.z.

Main aim and activites:

The project focused on a target group of 200 girls and young women aged 13 to 20 years of Roma nationality, who exhibit characteristics of marginalization in a segregated environment and at the same time suffer from gender inequality in the family and in the community. The geographical focus of the project was the Prešov and Košice self-governing regions, specifically the municipalities of Čičava, Vtáčkovce and Lunik IX.

Project activities – discussions with girls aimed at increasing their motivation to “live differently” were implemented in partnership with several municipalities in the premises of community centres or primary schools, or in the premises of the municipal office. The municipalities contributed to the cooperation by providing free of charge the premises for the implementation of the talks. The results of the project were reflected in the fact that 184 participants, girls, took part in the discussions, from which they took away knowledge and values on how to be more skillful in, for example, the issues of choosing a suitable partner for building a family, relationships and so on. The thematic discussions were conceived on women’s self-esteem, positive qualities of men and women in a relationship, possibilities, opportunities, means to build personal competences that can improve their standard of living (employment, education, housing).

Another important activity was the production of an attractive 30-minute documentary-educational film to inspire Roma youth from segregated environments to change negative patriarchal stereotypes and to eliminate various forms of violence and multiple discrimination against Roma women in the family and community. The film depicts the most common undesirable model situations /inferior position of women, unfair division of labour in the family, absence of men in raising children, violence in the family, suffering of women and children due to men’s addictions, etc./ and their negative consequences for the family and consequently the idea of a model of a healthy family life.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 01/2023

Project Partner 1: ResArtis, o.z.
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The Hento Toto project is an innovative model of work integration for people with intellectual disabilities – “draughtsmen” – with the aim of turning their artistic hobby (drawing, graphics) into a job and offering an alternative to a sheltered workshop. It is based on the collaboration of draughtsmen and professional creatives (Collaborative Art) and education (workshops). The project is a successful continuation of the project from the 1st call of the ACF programme, and in Phase II it is envisaged to expand the product portfolio, develop work habits and increase market share.

The project was able to implement:
– 1000 graphic designs
– 21 prototypes of new products
– 3 workshops
– sales in 50 outlets
– increase in e-shop sales
– growth of marketing activities
– stable group of 8 draughtsmen
– application for social enterprise status, where we want to employ our friends

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 07/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The region of eastern and northern Slovakia, where the organization operates, is a region with a high Roma population, which is mostly concentrated in segregated settlements. The inhabitants of these settlements are at a considerable disadvantage compared to the Roma inhabitants living in the majority society. They live in isolation in the absence of a connection with the majority society. This also affects their thinking and relationship to education, in which they do not see meaning and at the same time the possibilities of education are limited. The aim of our project was to work in some settlements in the field of education, especially in terms of motivating target groups and in terms of supporting education through extracurricular educational activities.

The project involved a teacher, a specialist and four workers. The motivation for the target groups was leisure activities, which are also suitable as a tool for gaining trust. In the first months of working with target groups, the project promoters therefore focused on these activities. Although it is not within the power and possibilities of the implemented project to completely change their thinking, it is important to start and, if possible, continue.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 02/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Vulnerable groups in our society are subject to social isolation and various forms of discrimination. Their access to information, to the labour market, to education and culture, and to participation in decision-making is insufficient.
The project “Therapy through land” therefore focused mainly on the Roma minority and other groups at risk of social exclusion and poverty, who live in the residential community on Ciglianska cesta in Prievidza. The implementation of the project was a new opportunity for the residents living in a segregated housing estate, where Roma and socially vulnerable families live, to create a comfortable living environment that benefits them on their own. The project promoters built growing fields in the form of raised beds. In November 2020, they prepared a questionnaire to gauge residents’ interest in what they would like to see planted in the raised beds. Their interest was taken into account when purchasing seeds.

The project established cooperation with the local government, where the project implementers presented the project and agreed on close cooperation.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 11/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project was necessary for the development of volunteering in the region, because thanks to it the project promoters were able to spread awareness about volunteering, involve a large number of people in volunteering and thus help the large number of disadvantaged people living in our region.

The project promoters implemented the following activities in the project: a)volunteer program “I’m here for you” and  “DobroZUSka; b) 110 consultations for the organizations; c)23 trainings and supervisions for the organizations and volunteers; d) involvement of 483 volunteers in Volunteer Week, 92 volunteers in Volunteer Days and 202 volunteers in Green Days; e) nomination of 200 volunteers and coordinators for volunteering prize, f) realized 5 introductions to volunteering for 98 people interested in volunteering; g)creation of 7 podcasts about volunteering; h)creation of a manual of the volunteer program and accreditation of education in the topics of volunteer management at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in the Slovak Republic; i) lecturing the “Volunteering in public administration as a way of people’s interest in society” for 14 participants.

For the children in the program, the volunteer was often the only contact with the external world they had during the pandemic and with whom they could communicate openly not only about school but also about their fears and anxieties and consult the lack / distortion of information. The benefit for the organization was that they work better with volunteers and they have improved their knowledge and skills in volunteer management. A total of 947 people participated in the project.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 11/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project focused on helping Roma children and youth from Lunik9  in Košice, who come from socially weaker families where they generally do not realize the need for education. Main activities in the project:

– online education (they do not have access to a computer and the Internet at home) and tutoring with assistance on the premises of our centre;

– creating a safe environment for games and developing social skills;

– trips to places visited mainly by the majority (downtown, cinema, nature, aquapark) and joint activities with youth from the majority;

– involving motivated children and young people in mentoring, in which we help them choose a school, prepare for job interviews and tutoring during their studies;

– creation of peer groups, networking, breaking down prejudices;

– realization of a suburban camp.

About 100 children and young Roma were to take part in the activities. During the lockdown, the interest in tutoring and online education increased greatly and 155 Roma took part in the activities. None of the participating pupils and students who took part in the tutoring repeated the year at the school. We also have a public laundry in our building, where people from Lunik9  can have their laundry done. Approximately 320 Roma benefited from this service during the project.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 02/2022

Project Partner 1: Saleziáni dona Bosca v Košiciach
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Goal of the project was enabling children and teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds to play sports. Through this project, they too could experience what it’s like to play sports on professional sports grounds, with sports equipment. Project also connected this group of children and adolescents with the public, i.e. members of the “majority”. Thanks to this connection, they gained a sense of belonging to ordinary society and the “majority” gained an insight into the life of this vulnerable group. Selected participants of the project were also involved in the very organization of sports events which improved their organizational skills.

During the project, total of 16 smaller sports events for vulnerable group and the public were organized and two larger sports events where vulnerable group helped with the organization. Quality relationships were also created, which gives hope for various forms of cooperation in the future.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 10/2022

Project Partner 1: DORKA n.o.
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to improve access to information and increase the educational level of the Roma community in the field of physical activities and a healthy lifestyle of young people aged 8 to 35 in the village Vojčice.

The project was necessary to build the connection of Roma minority with the majority, as the Roma minority was pushed out of the environment with aim to help young people to increase self-confidence, education, participation in any cultural event, spending free time, etc. As part of the project, the project promoters gave priority to young people who had nowhere to spend their free time because when they appeared at a football match, for example, they were excluded because of race, so we created spaces where young Roma could enjoy sports, education and we accepted among ourselves all other residents to see that it is possible to spend free time together regardless of ethnicity.

The project promoters implemented group educational training, sport training, football matches, exercises on the work-out field, volleyball tournaments with a partner of the municipality where both the minority and the majority were involved. For us, the main result is the interest of young people in further follow-up education, spending their free time in sports activities, thus preventing crime, gambling, and other unhealthy lifestyles. A total of 203 people took part in the project.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 07/2021

Project Partner 1: Obec Trhovište
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Consultations of seniors living in social facility with public decision-makers were key points in this project. Seniors have even encouraged young volunteers to express their views and engage in the public debate on the need to help vulnerable groups. The seniors themselves wrote 2 open letters with requirements for public administration, they participated in one online meeting of the Presov self-governing region, where the approval and support of different projects was discussed. Among other things, a project to develop the quality of services in the social facility in which they live was on program.

Seniors also participated in the creation of community plan of the City of Presov by submitting suggestions in the action plan for the period 2021-2023. Finally, they met in person with representatives of the City of Presov and Presov self-governing region and discussed with them the current requirements and needs of vulnerable groups in our region. “Youth Energy and the Gray Experience” has become a reality, with 679 participants from the general public from all ages involved in the joint interaction. The mutual positive influence of seniors and the young generation was markedly visible at all events. The re-involvement of groups of young people in the project activities was also inspiring, as was the ardent enthusiasm involved in the consultations with the public decision-making body.

The success of the project is also evidenced by the positive feedback from the seniors, young students, family members and members of civic association LASKAVE RUKY. The project has a long-term character and has taught seniors, young people and the unemployed how to communicate and present their requirements to local governments. Thanks to these incentives, they have a better opportunity to take concrete measures to strengthen the position of vulnerable groups.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 08/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project “Volunteering for All” focused on supporting existing long-term volunteer programmes in the Banská Bystrica district. In addition to direct assistance to vulnerable groups (in the form of tutoring, assistance, intergenerational understanding, etc.), the volunteer work of young people and seniors has also brought about changes in their attitudes and stereotypical views towards marginalized groups of the population. The project also wanted to help stabilise the implementation in organisations that decided to implement such programmes. The organisations that received support to sustain long-term programmes are located in districts that have been classified as the least developed districts of the Slovak Republic since 2015. The project is a continuation of a successful project implemented through the 1st call of the ACF programme.

The aim of the project was to implement and stabilise the existing volunteer programmes of the centre. Key activities included the recruitment and selection of child and senior volunteers and the recruitment of new organizations to implement these volunteer programs. Each programme had its own training and the Centre also offered supervision as support for the organisations. In the summer, a day camp was held at the Kotvička centre in Prague and a workshop on Roma identity was held, which proved to be very necessary for building relationships between children and volunteers. Most of the children were helped with tutoring, and above all they did not feel so alone during the pandemic. A total of 82 children from the at-risk group were actively involved in the project.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 09/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project was not implemented.

Project timeline: –

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project focused on social inclusion and intergenerational cooperation in the field of new media and information and communication technologies uniquely connected two target groups – seniors and youth. In the form of interactive workshops, the project has brought solutions and motivation for seniors how to get out of social isolation and at the same time reflected on their need for belonging and self-realization. Thanks to the workshops, seniors learned the basic skills in the field of new media and information and communication technologies in a playful way, and at the same time gained the desire, will, courage and motivation to share their lifelong passions or experiences with the world around them – with the help of young mentors. Through the active participation of young people on the basis of volunteering, the project also contributed to the improvement of intergenerational dialogue and changes in the perception of seniors by the young generation and encouraged young people to civic engagement. A total of 322 people took part in the project. The project partners at the level of local governments enthusiastically welcomed the unique solution of the project and brought themselves suggestions and promises on how to further develop and enrich the project. In the years 2020-21, it gained many supporters and 64 sponsorships.

The active participation of local governments in all phases of the project from initiation, implementation to the use of project methods and tools after its completion, guarantees high sustainability and, in addition to measurable indicators, contributes to the increased quality of interpersonal relationships. The project presents an innovative view of the senior, strengthening his position, connecting generations, networking community and institutions, choice of tools, system functionality and its long-term sustainability.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 05/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 09/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The Dance without Barriers project created an opportunity for physically and mentally handicapped children to regularly participate in dance trainings throughout the school year 2020/2021 and to improve their physical training within their possibilities. Pupils have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills for their special development and integration into society, as much as possible.

Throughout the school year, children participated in dance training twice a week under professional pedagogical supervision and regular consultation with assistants of handicapped children. Through the created dance choreography and the creation of dance costumes and props, the students had the opportunity to present themselves at a public performance at the State Theater – Kosice and at the final school academy where they addressed the public and the parents of handicapped children.

The aim of the project was to overcome the barriers that prevent handicapped children from overcoming new challenges and also to eliminate the prejudices of the majority society towards people with disabilities. The intention is to bring handicapped and healthy children closer together and to increase the inclusion of this vulnerable group in society. Even though their legs don’t listen, their hearts beat for dancing. A total of 144 people took part in the project.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 10/2021

Project Partner 1: The joint school in Kosice
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim of the project was to convey a strong message of Roma minority empowerment through the example of the successful band Lomnické čháve, whose members come from one of the most segregated settlements in Slovakia. The original plan was to create educational sessions with the band and children (mostly Roma children) from 15 classes of 15 primary schools. However, due to the pandemic and the limited situation in our schools, the whole course of the project had to be changed.

It took place physically in one classroom and was broadcast to 63 other classrooms, which were involved through an interactive online platform. In this way, the project reached a much larger audience. In the form of a moderated discussion, children were given the opportunity to make decisions about themselves, their plans for the future, and their plans to live better and fuller lives.

Highlighting the story of the boys from Velka Lomnica is a living book and a demonstration of how the lives of the band members and their families are changing at the same time. Not only materially, but also in terms of social respect, recognition and appreciation for the things they have been able to change in their lives. This was a guide for all the children to understand that change for the better is always possible if it is their own will and dream path.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 09/2022

Project Partner 1: The Association for Culture, Education and Communication
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 03/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The organization provides social counselling and material assistance to disadvantaged groups, including marginalized Roma communities. In this work, we encounter the problems of target groups, which result from a low level of education, including financial literacy, lack of job skills. People and families find themselves in an unfavourable situation, which often culminates in the loss of housing.

The aim of the project was to prevent and partially address the unfavourable situation of such persons or families. In the project, we implemented three types of activities that followed the activities of the organization: cooking courses, which were to help improve the skills of mothers in preparing healthy and nutritious food with an emphasis on economical cooking (using raw materials instead of semi-finished products, using affordable food). Another activity was the development of work skills and habits and a community garden under the supervision of a worker. The third activity was financial literacy courses, which aimed to acquire basic knowledge in the field of currency, use of bank accounts and cards, but especially knowledge in the field of debt prevention, the need to create a domestic budget, the need to create a reserve and solving specific situations of project participants.

The results of the project consist in improving the management of personal finances, improving nutrition, and increasing the chances of finding a job on the labour market for the target groups. The situation has improved for individuals and families who have regularly participated in activities – they have acquired knowledge that helps them avoid debt and to realize hidden expenses  In addition to the impact about specific project participants, the project was also beneficial for the organization. Thanks to the implemented activities, we have verified and improved the methods of working with the clients, gained valuable experience in the implementation of activities.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 02/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Superar is a unique international initiative focused on music education for children (and adults). The aim of the project was to implement the principles of ensuring consistent respect for children’s rights and their protection from violence in Superar Slovakia and thus raise the standard of protection of children involved in the organization’s activities.

During the project various activities took place. Surveys were carried out in schools where Superar operates, assessing their formalised procedures for the protection of children from violence. The project also mapped the problem situations that might most commonly arise when teaching and working with children, and also mapped the forms of threat/disadvantage faced by children in the programme.

The project held two online supervision sessions with Superar teachers and delivered two two-day safeguarding training-workshops. One training was conducted online, one physically. The workshops were attended by Superar teachers and representatives of the helping professions from Superar partner schools. Three new partnerships with public institutions were formalised and the project impacted 136 vulnerable children, 68 of whom were actively and intensively involved.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 09/2022

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project was necessary because of the target group, which did not have access to sufficient information on the possibility of entering the labour market due to their ethnicity.
The project focused mainly on asserting themselves in the labour market, valuing themselves, acquiring the necessary qualifications within which they were able to find a job in the labour market. These activities were necessary in order to obtain information about the possibilities within the framework of communication with the Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family in the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge, which was provided to the target group in an unlimited number of hours at any time and anywhere.

Achieved results: primary schools involved, impact on children who expressed interest in the project to be educated to prepare for the labour market, pupils of 8th and 9th grades, high interest of school principals where they have 100% participation of Roma children, involvement of municipalities-the mayors themselves welcomed the project’s intention for the further development of their society. The most important result of the project was the jobs created.

The main benefit for the jobseekers was that someone was intensively involved and they were able to find employment, which raised the standard of living of the whole family. They were given a different status as a worker, a different value as a person who is able to realise himself, to apply himself as useful to society.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 07/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project was not implemented.

Project timeline: –

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Main importance of the project was to bring specialized therapy called Therasuit to severely disabled people – clients of the organization and clients of the partner of the project – social services home DOMKO. Two physiotherapists were trained in Therasuit Basic professional therapy  and in Therasuit Advanced professional therapy. Followingly, project helped improve the health of 7 severly disabled children and young adults by undergoing Therasuit therapy.

Another activity of the project was to create a support group for vulnerable group, family members and workers in social services. It was realized in the form of 5 discussions on themes such as civil and human rights, how to strengthen the position of vulnerable groups, economic empowerment of vulnerable groups, new methods and services, etc… After the discussions, proposal aimed at influencing policies, legal regulations and public decisions was created, delivered and discussed with municipality representative together with 6 members of the support group.

Last activity was to inform the majority about the problematics of the vulnerable groups which was held by volunteers of the organization.

Long term impact of the project is expected, especially due to the trained professionals who will continue to deliver the Therasuit therapy to more disabled people.

Project timeline: 05/2020 – 11/2022

Project Partner 1: DOMKO – social services home
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The aim was to improve the quality of existing rehabilitation, expand the range of therapies and become a centre that will help all children with special needs.

The project was aimed at establishing a completely new therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy, in the Liberta Centre. The project involved renovating the room and equipping the room with appropriate aids. Aids such as mobile boards, inclined planes, mats, trampolines, rollers and many more. The project also focused on raising awareness of therapy among the general public.

The main and most important idea of the whole project was to improve and innovate the services to help children with special needs integrate more easily into society. A significant and unexpected result was the increase in clients with autism spectrum disorder. It was during this diagnosis that the most significant shift forward occurred. Children are responding more appropriately and have more adequate reactions to external stimuli.

The room that has been created thanks to the project is the only one of its kind in Eastern Slovakia. It can thus help a much larger group of children.

Sensory integration is a relatively new and underdeveloped therapy in Slovakia, despite its excellent results. Thanks to this project, it will be possible to offer it on a long-term basis. A total of 163 people were involved in the project.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 11/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Social acceptance of LGBTI+ people in Slovakia is very low compared to other EU countries. According to a nationwide LGBTI+ survey (Inakost, 2017), up to 50% of LGBTI people have had an unpleasant experience in relation to their identity. As a result, these individuals are reluctant to be open about it. The main objective of the project “Increasing Acceptance of LGBTI+ People Through Positive Examples and Policies at the Local Level” was to contribute to the increase of LGBTI people’s feelings of safety and self-acceptance through the presentation of positive role models.

The project aimed to provide support to LGBTI+ people in their coming out process in the form of counselling and a support group. As part of the project, a draft public policy was developed and discussed by representatives of the capital city of Bratislava with the aim of LGBTI+ inclusion. A draft policy was developed based on consultations with several NGOs working in the field.

There has been great interest in counselling services for LGBTI+ people and it is proving to be the most important activity that we will strive to sustainably maintain. The project has shown the importance of presenting positive LGBTI+ role models, not only to change the attitude of the majority towards the LGBTI+ community but also to increase the level of self-acceptance of the community itself.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 10/2020

Project Partner 1: Iniciatíva Inakosť
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The development of children growing up in marginalised Roma communities that are at risk of social exclusion and poverty is negatively affected by their living conditions. The main activities of the project consisted of regular educational and support activities for mothers with small babies several times a week in the organisation’s parenting centre, as well as outreach work with families in their home environment. As part of the project, 2 peer mentors who came directly from the community were employed to educate young girls on partnership, family planning, and responsible approach to sex. Methodological materials on early childhood care were prepared for parents. A total of 235 people were involved in the project, with 159 beneficiaries of early childhood care services, which far exceeded the planned number.

The project is of great importance not only in terms of improving the quality of early childhood care but also in terms of education on responsible parenthood, which will lead to better quality parenting for other children who were not involved in the project. The implementation of the early care project in the premises of the parents’ centre, which is actually a house with all the equipment, is unique in Slovakia, as it simulates a family environment, which becomes an inspiration for people coming from generational poverty and who are living in very poor conditions to try to recreate such conditions in their own family.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 07/2020

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Drug users and street sex workers, who may also be homeless or at risk of homelessness, are a target group that needs specific support, low-threshold services, and access to professional staff without prejudice and stigma. The objective of the project was to improve the accessibility of health and social services for the target vulnerable group and encourage them to make changes in their lives through support and communication.

The main activity of the project consisted of accompanying individuals of the target group to institutions and facilities by car. The activity indirectly supported the position of those who, for various reasons, did not know how or did not want to address their social or health situation. At the meetings, the clients could consult various topics with experts or arrange accompanied visits to an institution. Testing for bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections: the activity was limited due to the risk of spreading coronavirus between people from the community and the staff who carried out the testing. Nevertheless, 62 people were tested for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis during the course of the project. Another activity was the publication of an info-educational brochure Prison II which was aimed at individuals who have completed their prison sentences and need help to reintegrate into society.

A total of 579 people were provided with services and assistance and 32 car accompaniments were given. Thanks to the project, Odysseus was able to start implementing one of its most important activities – car accompaniment. A person who had previously been unable to see a surgeon visited one and a healing process began, giving the person a chance for recovery after years of pain. During the course of the project, it became clear that if the target group has sufficient access to low-threshold services, more people would commit to positive change.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 11/2020

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

People with intellectual disabilities are among the population groups that have the lowest quality of life. Depending on the degree of their disability, they need varying degrees of assistance, from little assistance to full-time care. Their quality of life and the fulfilment of any rights, including the right to work, depends on the maturity of the society in which they live. The objective of the project “Hento Toto” was the work integration of people with intellectual disabilities through the model of Collaborative Art (teamwork of talented people with intellectual disabilities and professional creatives on shared design products) and improving the professional skills of the target group through a series of art workshops.

The project activities consisted of the development of a product, education, business and marketing plan, follow-up consultation with experts on branding, regular coaching of the clients and the production and sale of the products created by them.  The project resulted in 550 graphic designs, 15 prototypes of new products, 5 workshops with more than 20 participants, 1 educational exhibition, the sale of the created products in 35 stores, an e-shop, and a stable group of 8 artists – clients with intellectual disabilities.

The project empowered this vulnerable group. During the course of the project the clients, through teamwork and regular training, acquired the knowledge, skills and habits necessary to turn their artistic activity into a future job. The project is a model of innovative social and work integration of people with intellectual disabilities and serves as an example for other organizations, that even in the context of the non-profit sector, it is possible to build a competitive brand that empowers vulnerable groups. The project is still being realised in the 2nd call of the ACF program.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 06/2020

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

As of 31.12.2018, the Banská Bystrica district listed 2505 job seekers. The most vulnerable group in terms of employability on the labour market are people with finished or incomplete the primary education only. They also lack a suitable social background and have problems with securing basic living needs. The objective of the ‘Job Opportunity’ project was to mobilise job seekers through job placement, training, and the provision of social and career counselling.

During the course of the project, the following activities were continuously implemented: 1. Establishment of Practical Training Centre; 2. Experiential individual career counselling; 3. Experiential group career counselling; 4. Training – Preparation for entering the labour market. One of the most notable outcomes of the project was the establishment of the Practical Training Centre for 17 vulnerable individuals. There they were given an opportunity to acquire skills in the maintenance of public spaces and green areas.

The implementation of the above-mentioned activities achieved the main objective of the project, which was to contribute to the increase of employability and employment of the Roma community living in Banská Bystrica.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 05/2020

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project focuses on a marginalized community of about 1,500 people, mostly of Roma nationality, which shows characteristics of passivity towards social events. We observe an attitude of apathy, even distrust towards the local government. The main characteristic of the community is a focus on fulfilling their immediate needs and a lack of perception of society’s needs.

The objective of the project “One for all, all for the community” was to involve young people from the above mentioned Roma community in systematic and long-term volunteering work and their mobilization within the civil society and the community. The following activities were implemented as a part of the project: Mentoring; Team building; Discussion forums and conferences;Creating videos for social media. The project created a group of 14 active local volunteers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

A total of 2,994 people were reached and we developed the model for working with vulnerable groups. Through the project, the participants gained a broader overview of the issues in the community and are now able to focus more effectively on developing the community in which they live. Great importance was also the encouragement of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to take responsibility for their community through volunteering and to take an active part in public life.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 07/2020

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project addresses the identified problems of high and long-term unemployment of the Roma and a large number of people with low education levels. The problems also include the poor working habits of the younger and middle generation of the Roma population and the mutual mistrust between employers and young unemployed Roma. The objective of the project “Stand up” was to increase the employability of young, disadvantaged, and vulnerable candidates on the labour market, with an emphasis on the marginalised Roma community. The main activities of the project consisted in the development and implementation of a training, education, and counselling program for young unemployed, mainly Roma women in the Brezno and Banská Bystrica districts. The project activities involved 40 vulnerable individuals who were also given training aimed at their economic development. This project improved access to work opportunities for job seekers with low educational level. In cooperation with the Wasco Cooperative Integration Enterprise, selected individuals who were involved in the Stand Up project were offered fixed-term employment contracts.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 01/2020

Project Partner 1: Wasco cooperative
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The integration of people from vulnerable groups (e.g., the Roma, immigrants, children from orphanages) into society is a major problem both in Slovakia and across the EU. It can probably only be tackled in small gradual steps and through different ways. One such way can be sport, which when done in a friendly and enjoyable way has the potential to bring together and connect people from different backgrounds, cultures, and language groups.

The objective of the project “I Play Sports Whenever I Can” was to enable children and adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds to play sports. Through this project, they were also able to experience what it is like to play on a professional sports field, with professional equipment. Over the course of the project, we organised a total of 25 smaller sports events for children and adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as the public, and 1 larger sports event which was organised with help from this vulnerable group. The project promoters also held 10 educational events. The project involved 75 members of the vulnerable group, 9 of whom were given training for their economic development. A very positive outcome of the project has also been the improvement of the complex organizational skills of the individuals of this vulnerable group, which can have a positive impact on their future.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 10/2020

Project Partner 1: Mareena
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Children with disabilities are disadvantaged in many different ways, one of which is dancing. Such children often spend their entire childhood and youth in exclusion, attending a special school or institution and do not engage in public life in any way. The objective of the project “Dance without Barriers” was to provide more opportunities for disabled children (in wheelchairs) to be included in public life through dancing.

The project involved regular physical activity for 12 disabled children, 2 times a week, throughout the 2019/2020 academic year. Two dance choreographies were created as part of the project and were then presented at a public performance. One of them was at the Carpathian Foundation Gala, which was attended by the President of the Slovak Republic, Zuzana Čaputová. The dance practice of handicapped children strengthens the muscles of their upper limbs, and from the physiological point of view, it enhances the functioning of the internal organs of the respiratory and circulatory system. It also improves neuromuscular coordination. Besides the disabled children, the project also involved their parents, coaches, and the general public, who came to see the performances. In total, 350 people were involved.

The main purpose of the project was to ensure that the disabled children find a sense of relaxation, fun, and joy in the dance classes and that they become a part of society through public performances. Dancing encouraged intense movement, helped them to develop swiftness and courage, and appealed to their aesthetic sensitivity. This project encouraged the disabled children to strive to achieve and therefore has a long-term meaning. It inspires other disabled children and adults and helps to eliminate public prejudice against disadvantaged people. The project is still being realized in the 2nd call of the ACF program.

Project timeline: 06/2029 – 09/2022

Project Partner 1: Special school – Spojena skola, Opatovska cesta 101, Kosice
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project’s target group – children of the clients of a crisis centre have very limited options in terms of spending their leisure time. Activities and clubs, which are a standard for the general population, are almost inaccessible to these children due to the poor economic situation in their families. For children from disadvantaged backgrounds in particular, quality leisure time is very important for their healthy personal development, may help prevent crime, and offers a chance to establish new relationships with people outside their community.

The objective of the project “Riding – Playful and Healthy” was to help children from the crisis centre with improving their physical fitness, building self-esteem, and encouraging good behaviour through sport and working with horses. As part of the project, a course of vaulting training was held for children and youth from the crisis centre aged 6 to 15 years at the CORNU ranch in Janovik. A total of 28 children participated in the course, 17 of them completed the whole course, and some of them left the crisis centre with which we cooperated during the course. We held 44 training sessions where the children were taught the basics of vaulting, handling and working with a horse, as well as the basics of teamwork.

The project included a public competition performance, where the children showed what they had learned, had the opportunity to experience the competitive atmosphere, to fight stage fright, and to enjoy the feeling of an appreciated performance. A total of 151 people were involved in the project activities.  The project was the winner of the “Sport is a Chance” competition of the Fair Play Club of the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee and was therefore positively externally evaluated as well. The main purpose of the project was to show the children the magic of sport, of working with animals, and it also boosted their self-esteem. It was very positively perceived by the target group, which is a predictor that the children will continue the activities if circumstances allow it. The organisation will seek funding to continue these activities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the future as well.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 02/2020

Project Partner 1: Archdiocesan Charity Košice – Crisis Center
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

Capital is a project that was created out of a demand for a periodical that would bring together high-quality, committed journalism which would address cultural and broader social phenomena from a leftist perspective. The motivation behind its creation is to gather intellectual, social and cultural capital.

The objective of the project “Engaged Capital” was to significantly strengthen the ability of the editorial staff of the magazine Kapitál to reflect on current social events with an emphasis on the position of minorities in society. During the course of the project, we produced a total of 17 articles. Based on these, we have also continuously formulated recommendations for public policies that will form the basis for our further publishing and activist work. At the end of the project, we also organised one public discussion with the author of a series of articles that we would like to publish next year. In total, 62 people – editors, respondents, and editorial board members – were involved in the activities.

The benefit of this project can be seen in the fact, that a community of readers, fans, or event-goers is emerging around Kapitál magazine, and that these individuals are aware of the need for fundamental domestic, and global social reforms towards greater social equality as well as a more sustainable future for the planet.

Project timeline: 06/2019 – 12/2020

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project was implemented in a region with high unemployment. The creation of jobs directly in the region is a great benefit for the whole region. In most of the cases, it is more difficult to get a job if the applicant is Roma. It is this unpleasant fact that the project has changed and is a positive example for a conservative environment.

The project had 4 main activities: 1. Creating a social enterprise workshop. A social workshop for wax processing was established with the intention of employing the long-term unemployed. 2. Training of those, who are interested in working in the social workshop – in total, the project gave a chance to 30 people. 3. Social workshop – The first 2 employees got a job in the social workshop. Today, the workshop is sustainable and will create more job opportunities. 4. Product marketing – helped to make the project’s goals visible and at the same time presented its own products.

Results: The first result was the strengthening of the position of vulnerable groups. The beeswax processing course was attended by 30 people from the vulnerable groups. Their family also benefited from this measure, which increases the number to 70 people for whom they have improved their economic or social status. These results are further strengthened by a partnership with the labour office in Lučenec and Poltár, which helps to find suitable candidates for courses and employment.

Project timeline: 06/2019 – 01/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The main challenge of the project was to create services supporting the social inclusion of migrants, to create a local strategy for the city of Nitra and to regularly inform the public in order to reduce xenophobia in the community.

The project implementers carried out the following activities: They provided services to 126 foreigners within the Point of First Contact, where they obtained in one place all the information necessary for their initial orientation and social and legal counseling. The project implementers implemented 3 language courses for 46 foreigners, implemented 4 leisure / volunteer programs in which 10 foreigners participated.

The project implementers created www.comin.sk in 4 languages, which provides information on services for foreigners, containing current articles on the results of the project as well as on the lives of foreigners. The project included 4 workshops for university students aimed at raising awareness of topics related to migration and integration. The outputs and activities of the project were regularly published through the regional media.

Project timeline: 07/2019 – 01/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The main goal of the project was to show that there are many talented children and successful young people in Luník IX, which is a disctrict of the Košice city where mainly Roma people live. The task of the project was to bring the life of the Roma in the Luník IX housing estate closer to the people and, through creative, artistic activities, to show that they have a place in our society and that they do not pose a threat, as many people think. Through music and events, the project presented the joy of life.

The top moment of the project was the Christmas bazaar in December 2019, a few days after the gas explosion of a block of flats in Prešov. Proceeds were donated to the victims of this disaster through a transparent account. Second hand clothes, books and various things were sold at Luník IX for a voluntary contribution donated by private donors. The band Gipsy Boys also performed at the event. An improvised stand with refreshments – coffee and tea – was also set up. This whole community event was organized by the youth concentrated in the project Nine Lives!
The project managed to train 119 people in order to strengthen them economically. 119 people were direct recipients of the improved services provided and around 4,000 benefited from empowerment measures.

Project timeline: 06/2019 – 09/2021

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

In terms of employing women in crisis and single parents (mothers), finding a suitable job is a challenge. There are many restrictions on the client side of the Dorka Center that significantly disadvantage them in the labor market (young children, low education, no skills, etc.). Therefore, it was necessary to bring work to them.

Within the project, it was important for companies and individuals to understand the social dimension of the DORKA BAGS and the lives of vulnerable groups (single mothers, Roma). The main goals of the project: 3,900 products were produced, the non-profit organization DORKA BAGS, the dorkabags.sk website and a database with material suppliers (25 companies) were established, 1 business plan was created, 17 clients involved in the sewing workshop and 62 people had benefit from strengthening their position.

The best way of expressing the project is via one of the clients of the DORKA BAGS, Stanka, who sews Dorka Bags products and is a mother of two daughters: “Dorka Bags has taught me a lot. I have improved various skills, I am more patient, I like to work in a team and I learn to listen more. I joined the project with only minimal sewing experience on the machine. However, with every bag or backpack sewn, I improve, I am more precise and I have the opportunity to unleash my imagination and creativity, which is a great added value for the future. Once again, I was given the opportunity to get involved in the work process and I improved financially, which is very important for me as a single parent.”

In a broader sense, the project managed to combine social and ecological thinking. The success is the creation of DORKA BAGS n.o. , which will continue the idea of ​​the project and will also be a means of employing women and integrating them into the work process.

Project timeline: 06/2019 – 07/2020

Project Partner 1: CREATIVE PRO (KE) s.r.o., Slovensko
Project Partner 2: Nadácia DeDo – Solidarita s deťmi z detských domovov, Slovensko

Main aim and activites:

The project was aimed at recruiting new BUDDY volunteers, supporting existing volunteer-child pairs and preparing for further growth in the Slovak Republic. During the project, 436 applicants were interested in volunteering thanks to recruitment activities. There were 3 information-training meetings “Dating with the program”, 51 individual interviews and 5 group interviews. In the given period, the project attracted 15 new volunteers, thanks to which 10 new children from the Centers for Children and Families managed to participate in the BUDDY program. At the same time, the project implementers managed to establish cooperation with 3 new Centers for Children and Families (Trenčín, Bratislava, Holíč).

During the project, the coordinators held more than 300 support meetings with volunteers, children and staff of the center for children and families. In the last quarter also in the form of a group online meeting of volunteers. In the field of education, 2 specialized trainings and 4 online trainings on selected topics were held. There were also 3 meetings with volunteers and children in the form of the Buddy Club. Another 9 pairs are already working with the Hviezda development tool. Thanks to the hiring of a program manager, strategic planning in the summer of 2019 and subsequent adjustments to the selection process, the educational process and the care of couples, the organization is already ready to grow into a new region. From the autumn of 2020, we plan to launch the BUDDY program in eastern Slovakia as well.

Project timeline: 07/2019 – 08/2020

Project Partner 1: N/A
Project Partner 2: N/A

Main aim and activites:

The project responded to the new situation with the (then still) draft law on compulsory pre-primary education, when many local governments and representatives of kindergartens did not know how to deal with the situation. The law entered into force on 1.1.2021. The project was divided into three sections: research, intervention and advocacy. In the first part, primary data were collected, around the current situation in kindergartens and the readiness of relevant actors. Based on the outputs of this part, an intervention part was implemented, where the project implementers met with representatives of kindergartens and local governments in 3 localities and discussed with them the results of research and how to prepare for changes as effectively as possible.

Project outputs: obtaining research data for the readiness of relevant actors for compulsory pre-primary education, creating a policy brief from research findings with a series of recommendations for the national level and the level of kindergartens, interventions in selected localities, situation analysis and tailor-made solutions for a given kindergarten , discussions with the professional public, advocacy of identified problems through press releases, discussions, meetings, methodology applicable to a wide range of users in the field.

The unplanned outcome was professional discussions, which were included in the project to increase the validity of the project outputs. The project enabled the involvement of almost 30 experts in the discussion in order to improve the implementation of the law in practice and a total of 600 people affected by this topic. The project had a direct impact on 130 members from the marginalized Roma community and about 60 local government representatives. All outputs are publicly available and actively sent to several kindergartens so that they can continue working with them.

Project timeline: 06/2019 – 09/2021

Project Partner 1: Inštitút pre dobre spravovanú spoločnosť, Slovensko
Project Partner 2:Úrad splnomocnenca vlády SR pre rómske komunity, Slovensko