Project name: “We are all equal, we are all different”

Funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the NGO Fund – Bulgaria 2008 -2010 under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA).

The main objective was to support the development of civil society in the ethnically mixed areas by deploying four school communities in reducing cases of discriminatory behavior on ethnic grounds and violation of human rights in education. A methodology for “educational theater” was elaborated and teachers were traineд how to use it during project implementation. The methodology includes the realization of gaming forms the status quo exchange between the communities. So participants emotionally “play the role” of the other and begin to see and feel the world with “his senses.” The methodology is applied until now in school communities across the country. Project activities covered conducting multicultural activities under the slogan “Children’s parties for Tolerance” featuring mixed groups of children from selected schools and parents from Ihtiman, Sitovo, Silistra. There were many joint sporting and art initiatives.  More than 500 participants took part in the project.

Project name: “Together we can do more”

Period of implementation: 01.08.2007 to 01.02.2008

Funded by: the MATRA/KAP programme.

Activities included the supply of equipment and furnishing of office at the school “Dimcho Debelyanov”, functioning as a day center for children with special needs. Psychologist, physical therapist, speech therapist, social pedagogue and resource teacher offer daily specialized care for children and their families. We organized a one-day round table for the presentation of innovative models and measures for active social inclusion of children. We organized the provision of services in a way that gives both specific care and social interaction. Parents were motivated participants in the work. We conducted training seminars with a wide range of stakeholders: parents, teachers of kindergartens and schools, municipal officials, pediatricians media. Thanks to close cooperation with the municipality and teachers from all schools in Ihtiman, we established sectoral committee that continue the work of the children’s center for children with special needs after completion of project financing.