Regional project to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of children and families in the Western Balkans and Turkey

Posted on

February 16, 2022

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives across all countries and communities. It has caused wide-ranging social and economic effects, affected people’s ability to engage with friends and family and led to a health crisis.

The pandemic has also deepened pre-existing vulnerabilities of children with disabilities and children living in poverty. In particular, the social and economic impact of COVID-19 on children has had severe effects on social welfare, health, education and nutrition.

In 2021, the European Union and UNICEF launched a two-year initiative to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable children and families in the Western Balkans and in Turkey. It aims to strengthen national health, education, early childhood development and child protection systems to ensure continuity in the provision of core services for vulnerable children and their families in the immediate and long-term recovery from COVID-19.

The funding allocated for this regional initiative is part of the EU’s assistance package for the Western Balkans in response to COVID-19, which currently exceeds €3.3 billion.

Project name:

Regional project to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of children and families in the Western Balkans and Turkey

Sector:

Covid-19 Support

Start time:

01/01/2021

End time:

31/12/2022

Location:

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey

Budget:

5244815.65€

Beneficiary:

Health, Education, Social and Child Protection systems

More info:

www.unicef.org/montenegro
https://www.facebook.com/unicefmontenegro/
https://www.instagram.com/unicefmontenegro/
https://twitter.com/UNICEFmne

News:

Additonal materials:

Grants

Using occupational therapy: rolling wool in day care centres for children and youth with disabilities

It was implemented by Oaza, an NGO based in Bijelo Polje, with the aim of contributing to the development of social inclusion, particularly by improving the quality of social services to support community life and strengthening the capacity of the organisation to facilitate the rights of children and youth with disabilities. The sub-grant also helped the NGO to develop a training programme for work and occupational therapy with persons with disabilities involving the use of wool in creating therapeutic aids, which targeted representatives of parents' associations and social care public institutions. The programme was submitted for accreditation with the Institute for Social and Child Protection.

Youth for youth

It was implemented by Pro Futuro from Nikšić, with the aim of improving the position of young people, their personal and social development, and participation in social processes important for their further prosperity. This sub-grant helped increase youth participation in the creation and implementation of different cultural contents. A total of 30 young volunteers participated in the organisation of Bedem Fest. Also, the grant helped organise different training sessions on strategic marketing planning in arts and culture, integrated marketing communications, PR skills, logistics and introduction to legal and administrative procedures with a view to advancing the knowledge and skills of young people and their position in society.

Volunteer, be a friend!

It was implemented by the Staze association from Podgorica, with the aim of raising awareness about the needs of children and youth with disabilities by developing volunteer services and informing and recruiting volunteers to socialise with them. With this sub-grant, Staze improved its capacities and trained youth volunteers to work with youth with disabilities. With the help of trained volunteers, 26 children and young people, affiliated with Staze, received support and increased their cultural and social involvement within the community.

Women Matters

It was implemented by the “Urban Nova“ Herceg Novi, with an aim to improve cooperation between civil society organisations and representatives of the private sector in order to advance gender equality in local policies and practices. Within this sub-grant, online campaign, performance, exhibition, as well as workshops to exchange knowledge between CSOs, institutions, activists and artists were organised. Furthermore, research was conducted and the publication “Women Matters”, which promotes and affirms women’s creativity and activist heritage in Boka Kotorska Bay, was issued.

#howareyou

It was implemented by the Youth centre “Proactive” Podgorica, with an aim to explore the problems in the field of mental health of youth, address these issues with a participatory youth support and improve the internal structure and competencies of the organisational membership. During its implementation period, an online counselling centre and a website www.kakosi.me were established; and over 350 young people took part in workshops, presentations and counselling.

Active and Responsible for Themselves and the Community

It was implemented by the Association of Young Ecologists Niksic, with an aim to build capacity of the organisation and contribute to community development. The Action Plan adopted, the Strategic Plan created, and modern portal established enhanced the organisational capacity. Also, thanks to this sub-grant, the organisation better positioned itself towards decision-makers and established a volunteer service of “greeters”.

Developing a Security System and access to Justice for the LGBTIQ Community”

It was implemented by the LGBT Forum Progres Podgorica, with an aim to build organisational capacity for service provision and advocacy work via developing new web platform and improved community-based services, as well as trainings for strengthening in-house capacity for project cycle management. The LGBT Forum Progres increased its outreach and strengthened its capacities in areas of importance for the daily life of the LGBTIQ community. Within this sub-grant were conducted trainings on project cycle management, financial activities and planning, and new technical and technological solutions; as well as lectures on human rights, NGOs activism, media, psychology, law and justice. Also, legal aid and support was continuously provided, and the LGBT Forum Progres continued cooperation with the institutions in the field of legal and criminal damage protection of LGBTIQ people in Montenegro.

By developing the capacity for better services in the Snail’s Shell

It was implemented by the Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities “Snail Shell” Budva, with an aim to support development of the strategic plan of the organisation, participation in trainings in the field of project management, and licensing of social services for children with disabilities. Within this sub-grant, an expert-led Strategic Plan for a period 2020-2022 was developed and adopted; Memorandum on Cooperation with Daily Centre for children with disabilities in Budva signed; and service provision of the organisation improved.

ALFA Center Volunteer Club

It was implemented by the ALFA Centar Niksic, with an aim to contribute to its organisational development through establishment of ALFA Center Volunteer Club and organising several volunteer actions, training and study visit to relevant local and national institutions and organisations. Thanks to this sub-grant, the Volunteer Club was established and 20 young volunteers were recruited and trained. Additionally, the annual award for local (Niksic) Volunteer of the Year was successfully organised for the first time. In addition to promoting volunteerism, it also contributed to increased cross-sectoral cooperation, and even better public image of the organisation.