Non-governmental organizations
Association for Development and support of the Roma women and children
The association is established on the 24th of April 2002 in the town of Lom. Its founders are Nataliya Zhorieva Georgieva (pedagogue) - Chairwoman and members- Valentina Sashkova Asenova (pedagogue) and Elena Aleksandrova Dicheva (journalist). The founders are women of Roma origin, university graduates. There are also volunteers included in the organizations - five women of Roma origin, with high school education. The association team is specialized in working with children and has passed training on programme for risk prevention of children and youths. It has experience in working with multiethnic environment and children in unequal social position. The association has the following premises at its disposal- study hall, computer room, public conveniences and a small library.
The mission of the organization is to work for the improvement of the lives of children and women of Roma origin, to support the development and integration of minority and marginalized groups, as well as to stimulate the initiative for their social adaptation, to help in the struggle against racism and discrimination.
The association has a license from the State Agency for Child Protection - "Centre for information, consultation, education and support of children at risk"- the only one in Montana District, as well as a license for Social kitchen, informational bureau for people with disabilities.
The association begins its work on the 15th of August 2002 with the start of project "And I Can"- a project for education and cultural support of Roma children from the town of Lom. The activities of the projects were implemented in the centre for work with children, located on 126 Slavyanska Street, town of Lom, as well as in the neighbourhoods "Stadiona", "Mladenovo" and "Humata" by an already set schedule over fixed periods of time.
Presently the Centre for work with children at risk is financed by "Hope and Help" Foundation- overhead and repairs expenses for the maintenance of its activity. It is attended daily by 15-20 Roma children, who experience educational difficulties or are just looking for friends and friendliness.
The association is also a coordinator for the Municipality of Lom on project "The Roma women active and successful" of Gender Task Force Foundation financed by PHARE. The main objective of this project was the acceptance and participation of Roma women at the local elections 2007.
The organization trained and actively participated in the elections with three women, who were included in the electoral list of Civil association for the European future of the Municipality of Lom, respectively at sixth, eleventh and twentieth position. There is no participant in the local parliament, but they gained good experience for the next elections.
Two projects were really important for the Roma children; they were implemented in partnership with the Municipal organization of the Union of Disabled People in Bulgaria (MO of UDP) in Lom- "Step, music, word-social integration" and "Musical interaction". The first project stimulated the human abilities and the individual creativity, develops respect and religious tolerance among the different ethnical communities and aids the development of a programme for social protection of orphans and children from large families. The second project supports children and mature people, offers a service through musical interaction. The activities of the project have been observed by municipal and national institutions. It was financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Partners- Bulgaria Foundation.
Implemented projects with the participation of the association:
2003 - partners on Project "Alternative Support and Independent Life for Children in the Home for Development and Education of Children without Parental Support- Lom" on programme for risk prevention of children and youths "Together and Tomorrow" of Partners Bulgaria Foundations for educational and social support for children from institutions.
2003 - implementation of Project "Club for people with disabilities" on programme for solving ethnical conflicts of USAID.
2004 - implementation of project 2 part "I'm Able with You" on programme for risk prevention of children and youths "Together and Tomorrow" of Partners Bulgaria Foundations for educational and social support for children from institutions.
2004 - partners on Project 2 part "Alternative Support and Independent Life for Children in the Home for Development and Education of Children without Parental Support-Lom" on programme for risk prevention of children and youths "Together and Tomorrow" of Partners Bulgaria Foundations for educational and social support for children from institutions.
2004 - mediator in the distribution of humanitarian aid for children from 1 to 12 years of age of Child Foundation- USA.
2004 - implementation of Project "Day centre for work with children" at The National Council on Ethnic and Demographic Issues.
2005 - implementation of Project "From women to women"- financed by the Bulgarian fund for women- the main objective of the project is informing of the Roma women in the Municipality of Lom about their rights, the new legislations and the set by the Beijing platform 12 spheres to be improved in the lives of women.
2005 - implementation of Project "Social Kitchen"- financed by Social Assistance Agency at the Ministry of Labour and Social olitics (MLSP).
2007 - implementation of Project "From welfare to providing employment" financed by MLSP. The main objective of the project was to provide employment and social integration of 6 long-term unemployed persons, through opening 6 job positions with social orientation for 72 h/m.
Contact information:
3600 Lom, 126 Slavyanska Street
Telephone: +369 (0) 971 60451; Mobile: +369 (0) 888 822553
Contact person: Nataliya Zhorieva Georgieva
Foundation "Partners – Lom"
The association is established in July, 2004, with protocol №1 of 25.06.2004 by Constituent Assembly, which choose three members of the Management Board. Foundation "Partners – Lom" develops activity in the sphere of the social and consultant services since 2001, such as voluntarily created Arbitration Committee, financed by project of Foundation "Partners – Lom" with the financial aid of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Since December, 2004, the association implemented three-year project "Mediation centre", financed by Foundation "Partners – Lom". The received financed for the period 2004 – 2005 ammounts to 12 000 BGN.
The centre successfully implemented services for solution and prevention of conflicts, as well as popularized the alternative way for conflict solving and ensured huge support. The mediation centre works successfully with local state and municipal institutions such as: Social Assistance Department, Labour Bureau, Regional Court of Lo, Municipality of Lom and achieved written agreements for transmission of the cases. Four licensed by the Ministry of Justice mediators work in the Centre for the service mediation and from 2004 till today there are 58 signed agreements.
The mediation centre succeeded to made its reputation as organization which has experience in conducting and organizing of public debates and it is being actively searched by the Commission for order and security and the Municipality of Lom. The centre was co-organizer of the discussion for the Municipal plan for development of the Municipality of Lom 2007-2013 and the Budget of the Municipality of Lom for 2007.
The priority objectives of the foundation are:
- Popularization of the idea for tolerance in the society by partnership with the state, municipal and non-governmental organization for assistance of the establishment of democratic citizen society;
- To assist and work for the facilitation of the social integration of different ethnical, profession, religious and language communities;
- To work for the recognition of the human rights and especially citizens in uneven social condition;
- To participate in the solution of local problems by applying of models for joint work.
Contact information:
3600 Lom, 1 Georgi Manafski Street, 3rd Floor
Telephone: +369 (0) 898 464510, Е-mail: katya_i@abv.bg
Contact person: Katya Ivanova
Page updated: 15.02.2012
Content validity: 31.12.2012
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