Fighting together against prejudices and stereotypes – TCN’s employment and entrepreneurship
The project "Fighting together against prejudices and stereotypes – TCN’s employment and entrepreneurship" is an example of effective integration measures, incl. for vulnerable persons (and children) seeking/receiving international protection. By creating a supportive, motivating and beautiful environment, it has contributed to meeting needs, participation and empowerment, through training, joint entrepreneurial and cultural initiatives, changing the attitudes of the host society, rapprochement.
National
Bulgaria
Municipality of Pomorie, Burgas region, Bulgaria.
Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
“Asylum, Migration and Integragion” Fund 2014-2020, priority axis - "Integration/legal migration".
Procedure for selection of projects for the award of grants: BG65AMNP001-2.005 “Integration and legal migration - measures for enforcement the Action Plan of the EU for the integration of the third countries nationals“.
Project BG65AMNP001-2.005-0002-C04 "Fighting together against prejudices and stereotypes – TCN’s employment and entrepreneurship".
Total value of the project: 218 713.88 BGN, of them: 147 631.90 BGN European funding, 49 210.61 BGN national co-financing and 21 871.37 BGN own beneficiary’s cofinancing.
No
Yes
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Projecta Foundation Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation First name of representative: Aleksandra Last name of representative: Pavlova Gender: Female Nationality: Bulgaria Function: Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: 18, Ivanka Boteva str. Town: Vratsa Postal code: 3000 Country: Bulgaria Direct Tel:+359 87 826 6246 E-mail:funding@projecta-org.eu Website:https://www.projecta-org.eu/index.php/en
The implemented project is an example of effective integration measures. It applies an innovative approach to explore and meet the needs of newly arrived TCNs' through assessment of their specific skills, interests and potential for development and inclusion in informal trainings-professional training, entrepreneurial competences and labor market integration, incl. through administrative and legal consultations, enabling active participation and social inclusion in the Bulgarian society. A space with a supportive and encouraging environment was created, which spontaneously became a place for the expression of various types of art, cultural and creative initiatives and a hospitable, impactful atmosphere, with the imprint of identity, but also the richness of cultural diversity, characteristic of places where different ethnicities and communities unite, communicate and create. Innovative approaches have been implemented to combat prejudice and stereotypes: by creating and broadcasting 3 trailers and 1 film on TCNs' stories, with successful entrepreneurial initiatives implemented by them. The impact and results in the host society were also measured by conducting a sociolog. survey as well as a neuro-marketing survey. The exchange with the host society was encouraged through an International Cultural Festival-Bridge between the nationalities, stimulating collaborative entrepreneurship and creating a beautiful outdoor space for handmade and art products, folk and classical dances and songs. Performers and participants from the host society, TCNs' from Russia, as well as children from Ukraine were included. During the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the initiative was an expression of common human needs, aspiration and desire of different nationalities, incl. from countries currently at war, to live in peace, to work and create, and to add their contribution to the development and sustainability of our societies, in a spirit of rapprochment and cooperation.
Protection
Inclusion
Informal education
Entrepreneurship
Sustainability
The international cultural festival was held outdoors, in a green urban environment, promoting drawings of children from Ukraine expressing their feeling and connection with nature,demonstrating folk traditions and crafts-knitting,interesting handmade products and art products inspired by folklore and culture of different nationalities, by applying the practice of folk crafts,these art-productions are non-polluting to the environment.They demonstrated in an artistic way the use of natural, recycled and reused materials in creative products and industries-an approach that will globally support the implementation of climate goals and circularity.The implemented initiatives promote attention and care for nature, show how green urban spaces can successfully become a unique scene for cultural, educational and creative initiatives, providing equal access to art to local communities,in an environmentally friendly way.The 3 trailers and 1 film based on TCNs' stories,created within the project,promote entrepreneurial initiatives with zero pollution.
The possibilities of digital technologies were widely used-online training, advertising materials in electronic format. Minimal use of paper, saving energy and fuels was ensured.The various thematic-oriented seminars: “I, Chocolatier“,“In the world of handmade small sweets”,“Art with sugar dough“,"Paper decorations",“Party paper products“,“To sell successfully through the social networks“,“Art manicure”,“Coloristics in the hair” and “Knitting“ stimulated entrepreneurship at the local level.They encouraged the use of traditional local products, enable shortening of supply chains and limit environmental pollution caused by transport,by creating employment and reducing daily commuting from one settlement to another and increased the competitiveness of the local economy and its orientation towards environmentally friendly technologies.In this context,it has been met Ambition III of the value Sustainable in line with the NEB Compass.
The thematic-oriented seminars held,with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship,with an emphasis on female entrepreneurship among TCNs',trained participants in various creative directions,encouraged the use of the possibilities of applied arts and traditional crafts,and stimulated the creation of aesthetic,creative products.In addition to stimulating the entrepreneurial spirit,they created prerequisites for developing skills and activities in various areas of art.Hand-made products bring aesthetic experiences to both their creators and consumers.Through the film and 3 trailers,TCNs' contribution to the host society is emphasized,specifically in the field of community culture/art and enrichment through mutual exchange in the context of women's entrepreneurship.The International Cultural Festival-Bridge between the Nationalities has become a celebration of arts,folklore,entrepreneurship and diversity with a wide international audience,incl. citizens and guests of the popular seaside resort of Pomorie,visited by tourists from different countries during the summer season.The event created a beautiful outdoor festival space.Among the participants were graduates of the United Children's Complex-Pomorie-paintings by children from Ukraine studying at the School of Fine Arts were exhibited and a dance by children from Bulgaria,from the local ballet school,was presented.Hand-made products and art products were exhibited at the festival:paintings,wood carvings,traditional dolls "Baba Yaga"-one of the main characters in Russian folklore,knitting,ornaments,dishes from the national cuisine of the participants.Ornate sets and booths also enhanced the artistic feel and creative experience.Folk and classical dance arts,music and songs were presented,both by professionals and amateurs-representatives of the host society,TCNs' from Russia and Ukraine,united to show the cultural diversity and richness of the region.In this context, it's been met Ambition III: to integrate.
The project aims at integration of third-country nationals, legally residing and those in the procedure for granting international protection in the Republic of Bulgaria, incl. PSIP/PRIP, by implementing multi-component measures related to the way of life in Bulgarian society and revealing the possibilities and potential of TCNs' for employment and entrepreneurship. The project also includes TCNs'-vulnerable persons, from the categories: elderly people and single parents with minor children.An assessment of the specific skills, interests and potential for the development of personal projects for employment was carried out, including entrepreneurial, of newly arrived TCNs' to identify opportunities for inclusion in the labour market. They were directed and included in the thematic-oriented seminars for acquiring new skills and knowledge.They were provided with administrative and legal consultations aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable integration.Exchange with the host society was encouraged through joint cultural initiatives, as well as measures to combat prejudice and stereotypes by conducting a national campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of TCNs' integration. The project supported the integration of TCNs' from Russia and Ukraine into Bulgarian society.Provided prerequisites for their personal development and participation in public life.Created conditions for cultural expression of children who experienced the horror of war immediately before their arrival and an environment for cultural exchange between citizens of the host society, Russia and Ukraine, through the creative power and ability of art and culture to unite and develop relations between communities in a positive direction. The project represents a successful model for inclusion and builds a new image of the region in which the integration of TCNs' is supported by the local community, organizations, institutions, media.In this context,it has been met Ambition III: to transform.
The initiative included the participation of the local community in a number of activities.Good examples of successfully integrated and included in the labour market TCNs' have been identified, incl. successfully implemented personal projects for employment, incl. entrepreneurial of newly arrived TCNs'.The produced 3 trailers and a film on personal employment projects realized by TCNs', incl. entrepreneurial, are disseminated through regional TV and digital media and social networks. Individuals of different age groups from the host society were involved in considering the impact of audio-visual stimuli on the viewing audience, from the produced commercials and film,through the advances in the field of neuro-marketing and neuro-cognitive science.Among the representatives of the host Bulgarian society a survey/questionnaire for measuring the "Attitudes of the host society towards GTD" was distributed and filled in, with the aim of collecting the necessary data and information for the preparation of a Final Report covering a study and comparative analysis of the basic results reported in the beginning of the project compared to the results achieved at the end of the project about the prejudices and stereotypes of the host society of the Republic of Bulgaria, regarding the representatives of the target group - TCNs'.The activity that attracted the wide participation of the local public is the International Cultural Festival "Bridge between the Nationalities" growing and into the Bridge between the Generations, putting on one stage elderly people and children. It was attended by an international audience of Pomorie citizens and guests from various countries who visited the city during the summer season. The event created a beautiful outdoor festival space, incl. with an installation made of TCNs.Folk and classical dance arts, music, songs, paintings were presented, both by professionals and by amateurs - representatives of the host society,TCNs' from Russia and Ukraine.
The main interested party is the persons from the target group, to whose problems and needs the integration measures were directed. 428 TCNs' participated in the project, supported through various interconnected measures aimed at their successful inclusion in Bulgarian society. Another interested party to whom the measures implemented under the project were directed is the host society. The attitudes of the local community regarding the TCNs' were studied, the impact of the audio-visual products produced by the project, promoting the benefits of the integration of the TCNs' for the host society, was measured. The national campaign conducted increased public support, commitment and empathy for TCNs'. Stakeholders at different levels - local, regional, national - were involved in the initiative. At the local level, cooperation was provided by the Municipalities: Pomorie, Burgas and Nessebar, the School of Fine Arts and Ballet School at the Center for Support and Personal Development - United Children's Complex - Pomorie, the Art Gallery in the town of Pomorie, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Interior- Pomorie, "Black Sea Development Association-Burgas". The project was implemented with the support of regional TV Chanel 0-Burgas and 3 digital medias. The local public, institutions, NGOs also participated. At the regional level, assistance was provided by the "Migration" sector and the press center of the Burgas Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. At the national level, the project was implemented with the support of the Directorate "International Projects" of the Ministry of Interior. This cooperation creates prerequisites for the effective implementation of the planned activities for the inclusion of TCNs' and increases the commitment of the parties to building a favorable environment for the integration of people who most urgently need special attention, creates sustainability of partnerships and opportunities to multiply the approach.
The project applies the principles of inclusive education to promote entrepreneurship among TCNs'. The conducted thematic-practical seminars covering topics such as: “Successful marketing”, “Financial management of a microenterprise”, “Normatively established relations with state and municipal institutions”, “To create a successful business model”, “To register a company” etc., increased financial literacy and knowledge in the field of economics and relevant legal issues. Another group of seminars that have attracted huge interest among TCNs' were: “I, Chocolatier“, “In the world of handmade small sweets”, “Art with sugar dough“, „Paper decorations“, “Coloristics in the hair”, etc. related to applied art and handicrafts. The cultural festival showcases folk traditions and crafts - knitwear, remarkable handcrafts and art products inspired by the folklore and culture of different nationalities, covering areas such as culture, arts and history. Folk and classical songs, dances, music were presented on it. The project increased language competences and knowledge in the field of literature. The produced and distributed trailers and film, with entrepreneurial initiatives of TCNs', are related to art-technologies and film art. The applied innovation in considering the impact of audio-visual stimuli on the viewing audience of the produced trailers and film through the achievements in the field of neuro-marketing and neuro-cognitive science put into practice the achievements in the scientific fields: medicine, psychology, pedagogy, marketing and film art. The provided consultations on administrative and legal issues concern the rights and obligations of TCNs' and their individual cases, corresponding to Bulgarian and European legislation. The project was also aimed at social policies and civic education. The use of a complex multidisciplinary approach for the integration of TCNs', incl. through culture and various arts, makes the project innovative and unique.
Integration measures go beyond traditional approaches limited to support in ensuring employment and learning the language of the host country. The implemented policies are tied to the way of life in Bulgarian society and the possibilities of inclusive education, joint cultural initiatives, allowing the preservation of cultural identity and at the same time promoting and encouraging diversity, cooperation and entrepreneurship. The applied coordinated system approach is innovative and promotes the participation and empowerment of everyone in the society - the TCNs' and the community in which they are established. Building a wide range of partnerships and engaging stakeholders is also innovative as a successful collaborative approach in support of third-country nationals. An innovation has been applied in considering the impact of audio-visual stimuli on the viewing audience of the produced trailers and film through the achievements in the field of neuro-marketing and neuro-cognitive science, with the aim of successfully combating the prejudices and stereotypes of the host society. The initiative demonstrates how a public cultural event breathes new life into open green urban spaces, transforming them into beautiful and impactful places, providing access to art for all, to the beauty and diversity of folklore, traditions and crafts of different nationalities forming the local community. Promotes the use of natural, recycled and reused materials in creative products and industries.
The international cultural festival in an innovative way stimulated youth entrepreneurship and unites in joint creative performances children from different nationalities, incl. from Ukraine. Cultural exchange is ensured by the participation of citizens from the host society as well as from the currently warring Russia and Ukraine in a festival of folklore, arts and culture. The unifying role of art for peace, cooperation and solidarity in modern societies was demonstrated.
The successful innovative model for social impact covers the implementation of multi-component measures for the integration of TCNs', which uses the possibilities of inclusive education, the multidisciplinary approach, incl. the influencing, educative and unifying role of culture, folklore and art to mediate the inclusion of representatives of the currently warring countries: Russia and Ukraine, in joint creative initiatives. The approach used in the initiative can be replicated and used successfully elsewhere, by organizations working for the integration of citizens from other countries or with vulnerable groups. It shows broad applicability to achieve social impact, not only on the target group, but also on the local community, whose attitudes are a significant factor for successful integration. Measuring the impact of audio-visual stimuli on the viewing audience of the produced clips and film through the advances in neuro-marketing and neuro-cognitive science are innovative approaches offering broad applicability as new, science-based methods for measuring the impact of various creative products to change personal and public attitudes in a constructive direction for society, such as the change of prejudices and stereotypes and to form an understanding in the host society of the benefits of the integration of TCNs'. The inclusion of children, in this case from Bulgaria and Ukraine, in joint creative performances in a diverse cultural environment is also an innovative measure of integration, has an educational, encouraging and developing impact and provokes more active civic engagement, empathy and support in achieving a certain cause/ politics. Building a wide range of partnerships and engaging stakeholders - executive power, educational and cultural institutions, NGOs, media, business, cultural actors and local community is also innovative and demonstrates a successful collaborative approach to support people who urgently need special attention.
An important part of the achieved successes is due to the correctly defined stakeholders and an approach for their attraction and inclusion in the implementation of the initiative. Through the cooperation of the Municipal Administrations of Pomorie, Burgas and Nessebar and the "Migration" sector in the Regional Directorate of the Burgas Ministry of the Interior, an initial contact was established with those living/staying TCNs' in the territory. For the direct work in the community with TCNs', an experienced expert was hired, knowing the specific features of the target group, which guaranteed successful communication, attracting the participation of the widest possible range of people and the possibility of supporting them at the earliest moment in the migration process. At the beginning of the project, an office was rented for purposeful work with TCNs'. The created space offered a supportive and encouraging environment, while also serving for cultural and educational activities, folk festivals and creative initiatives initiated by the TCNs'. An impactful aesthetic atmosphere was created in open green urban spaces - a stage for the performance of folklore, artistic and creative products and productions that reflected the identity and richness of the cultural diversity of the local community and provided access to art for all. An important approach that the project implemented was the use of the principles of inclusive education, non-formal learning and lifelong learning for the sustainable integration of TCNs'. In order to influence and change the attitudes of the host society, approaches aimed at clarifying the benefits of the integration of TCNs', as part of the fight against prejudices and stereotypes, have been used. The project implements an innovative model for social impact, through the implementation of multi-component measures for the integration of TCNs', compiling various educational and creative approaches and aiming at maximum scope.
The project created conditions for meeting the needs of communities and people who most urgently need special attention, incl. to children and families fleeing the war in Ukraine, which represents a local contribution to the global challenge of providing asylum and integration of citizens who have left their countries, incl. those in the procedure for granting international protection, seeking international protection/persons granted international protection. The project demonstrated mechanisms for the practical implementation of European values - connectivity, tolerance and European belonging, sustainability, development of culture and creativity, involving in joint activities representatives from the host society, as well as those from the warring states of Russia and Ukraine. The project also contributed to limiting the number of young people falling into the group at risk of dropping out of school and young people who are not studying, working or in another form of training by stimulating youth development, non-formal education, inclusion and entrepreneurship, by including children from Ukraine and Bulgaria in the international cultural festival. The project demonstrated successful mechanisms implemented at the local level, addressing global challenges such as combating prejudice and stereotypes, social inclusion, equal opportunities, combating discrimination, poverty and exclusion of vulnerable groups. Directs public attention and promoted a responsible attitude towards nature, environmental protection, frugal and responsible use of resources and nature-friendly technologies by exposing local creative products made mainly from natural and recycled materials and breathing new life into green urban spaces. Increased competences, knowledge and skills, suitability for the labor market, financial literacy, entrepreneurial initiatives and access to art through inclusive education, non-formal learning and lifelong learning, as forms to ensure sustainable integration.
Projecta Foundation has successfully implemented the project "Fighting together against prejudices and stereotypes - TCNs' employment and entrepreneurship", financed under the "Asylum, Migration and Integration" Fund 2014-2020, procedure "Integration and legal migration - implementing measures of the EU Action Plan on the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, Grant Agreement - 812108-27/27.05.2019. Within the framework of the implemented project, 428 TCNs' from Russia and Ukraine have gone through integration measures. Activities were also carried out to promote exchange with the host society through joint cultural initiatives, as well as measures to combat prejudices and stereotypes by conducting a national campaign to raise the awareness of the host society regarding the benefits for it of the integration of TCNs'. At the same time, the campaign promoted the complex, multidisciplinary and innovative approach to integration used in the project. The activities of the project have been fully completed, the general and specific goals have been met, the initially set indicators have been exceeded - a significantly larger number of TCN's have been covered. Confirmation of the overall high-quality and efficient implementation of the project is the verified final request for payment, technical and financial report from the MA at the Ministry of Interior. The results of the project ensure: sustainability by directing public attention to nature conservation; inclusion - by promoting respect for diversity, supporting employment and entrepreneurship, through non-formal education. The project creates aesthetics and quality of experience through the art training and international cultural festival - a celebration of folklore, crafts, traditions and culture, contributing benefits to cultural life by creating access to art and conditions for preserving the cultural identity of participants from different nationalities and expressing the rich cultural diversity of the region.
The project applies innovative approaches (especially non-formal education) to develop the competences of TCNs' for successful inclusion in the labour market and entrepreneurship. Orientation and guidance of newly arrived TCNs' by skills and interests to inclusion in various topic-oriented seminars was carried out. The seminars create and develop knowledge and skills for self-employment and are focused on female entrepreneurship. 9 thematic-oriented seminars were held, representing a form of informal professional training. These workshops created practical skills and developed professional qualifications, encouraged the creation of beautiful creative products and the use of environmentally friendly technologies. The 7 thematic-practical seminars developed competencies in the field of economics, necessary for starting and developing your own business. More than 200 consultations were held with TCNs', which increased their competences in administrative and legal matters. The project corresponds to different fields of knowledge, through inclusive education offers learning and experience, accumulation of knowledge and formation of skills, attitudes and behaviors, including in the context of the European competence framework on sustainability. A number of activities direct public attention to the care of nature. They demonstrate how green urban spaces can successfully become a unique scene for cultural, educational and creative initiatives. The international cultural festival promoted drawings by children from Ukraine expressing their feeling and connection with nature, showcased handicrafts and art products inspired by folklore and culture, produced using natural, recycled and reused materials - an approach that, at a global level, will support the implementation of climate goals and circularity.
