Outcome 4: Vulnerable groups empowered

Small projects

Granted amount: 13 500,00 Eur

Summary:

In educational institutions children with behaviour and emotional difficulties interfere with educational process because of their unacceptable, aggressive, fighting behaviour. They distinguish themselves with sudden emotional changes, low self-esteem, worry and fears. Remaining stable behaviour can turn into a disorder and affect a child`s adaptation in life. Children`s behaviour and emotional difficulties are best revealed at elementary school. It is important to recognize the difficulties of children`s behaviour and emotions during this period and to provide timely assistance.

The aim of the project: to provide therapeutic services to children with behavioural and emotional difficulties to help them adapt more easily to the social environment.

Target group: children of 7-11 years old (60 persons) with behaviour and emotional difficulties from the City of Marijampole.

During the project we plan to provide group dance-motion and psychodrama therapy services. These would be additional services to the assistance provided by school specialists to these children with and to their parents.

This project offers therapeutic activities aimed to strengthen children’s relationship with themselves and others. Selected movement, role play oriented group therapies based on the needs of this age group (self-awareness, relationship with age mates, safety), are full of physical activity, development of coordination and self-esteem. Psychodrama classes will enhance the inner harmony of children, help them to adapt to different situations, stimulate and organize children`s mental and physical activity, balance their emotional state and provide the opportunity to know themselves better. Dance-motion therapy will increase awareness, self-esteem, reveal interactions of thoughts, feelings and actions, communication opportunities. A deeper self-awareness of children through therapeutic activities will make it easier for children to adapt to the school`s social environment by supporting the child and family together with the team of the educational institution. Children suffering from behaviour and emotional difficulties, successfully adapted to the school social environment, will be able to: fulfil the tasks for their age, develop interpersonal relationships.

Implementation period: 26/10/2020 - 25/09/2021

Partners: Lithuanian Young Falcon Union

Granted amount: 14 282,10 Eur

Summary:

The project seeks to contribute to Roma and marginalized young people social competencies development through professional art based socio-cultural activities.

In order to empower the Roma and young people experiencing social exclusion, to develop their social, emotional, communication skills, society openness, mutual understanding, elimination of stereotypes and stigmas, it is envisaged:

1) To build creative team capacities for successful implementation of project activities;

2) To elaborate an extended theater camp program focused on young people experiencing social exclusion social, emotional, and communication skills development;

3) To implement 2 theater camps "Laukmes" dedicated for young people experiencing social and ethnical exclusion, based on theatrical practices merged with nature and self-knowing;

4) To prepare camp-based photographic material and documentary action-film "Dialogue";

5) To implement 5 information events (dialogues-discussions) for senior pupils and teachers in Lithuanian regions.

Project is in line with the objectives of ACF program, as well as contributes to outcome 4 and foreseen outputs. The project creates an opportunity to empower vulnerable people (specifically Roma and marginalized youth) through enhanced social, emotional and communication skills.

At the same time, the applicant and partner will create a sustainable basis for providing new socio-cultural services to marginalized young people through the development of a theater camp methodology and documented educational material „Dialogue“.

Implementation period: 01/11/2020 - 31/01/2022

Partners: Association “Community of Pagegiai”

Granted amount: 13 500,00 Eur

Summary:

The project aims to increase the social inclusion of children, young people, mothers with infants and young children, and older people by promoting their participation in social activities in less accessible regions of Lithuania. We will organize educational activities for children, young people, mothers with infants, meaningful employment education seminars for older people, community events, open to all residents of Geleziai village and other surrounding villages in Zujunai eldership, Vilnius district. Project activities will also take place in Pagegiai, Anyksciai and Ukmerge districts, remote areas in Lithuania.

The proposed educational activities for the target groups is the best solution to the identified problems - lack of meaningful employment and education services, lack of security in the regions - as this will develop community spirit and thus encourage vulnerable groups to identify and present their needs, i.e., participants will be involved in community activities, creation of services. Suggested activity methods - organized sessions will combine self-education (of children, youth, mothers, seniors), promote physical activity, community and intergenerational exchange, exchange of good practices, create accessibility of services in remote regions and activate the community to present their needs (to municipality, local authorities). In addition, these new services will be developed and provided close to the living area of the target group, i.e. solving the problem of rural, geographically disadvantaged access to urban or larger neighborhood settlements due to lack of public transport and proper roads.

The estimated number of participants is 300 (direct participants in innovative educational activities and community events). Indirect beneficiaries - about 5000 people who will receive information about activities, methods, good practices in Vilnius district, Pagegiai, Anyksciai, Ukmerge districts.

Implementation period: 01/10/2020 - 31/03/2022

Partners: The Centre of Good Changes

Granted amount: 10 782,00 Eur

Summary:

With this project, we aim to enable the residents of communal self-support houses “Kelkis” and “Gerų pokyčių centras”  to change their life. Target groups, participating in the project:

1. Persons addicted to certain substances taking;

2. Homeless people.

Communal self-support houses “Kelkis” and “Gerų pokyčių centras” provide to these target groups accommodation and social skills development services, however, there is no system and specialist who would enable the persons to make decisions in their career. At the moment, part of people do not work or do not have a choice and work works randomly where vacancies are suggested, regardless of personal skills. 

Project tasks:

1. To develop general abilities. 

2. To develop social skills. 

3. Empower to make decisions in the professional field.

Project results:

1. Project participants will acquire the basics of computer literacy. Will be able to prepare a description of CV. Will be able to prepare for a job interview.

2. A socially responsible personality will be developed.

3. Target groups will be empowered to make professional decisions.

4. An individual career plan has been prepared for each representative of the target group who is rehabilitating at BSN “Kelkis” and “Good Change Center”.

5. An information and educational event for the public was organized.

6. Good practices were shared with other rehabilitation centers.

7. Awareness of human rights will increase.

8. Vulnerable groups will be empowered to make decisions and take responsibility for their integration into society and the labor market.

9. New and improved existing services to meet the needs of vulnerable groups (career development) have been encouraged.

10. Managers and staff of the applicant and partner organizations will acquire organizational and human resource management skills.

Training and seminars, an informational educational event to society as well as ‘Open door day‘ in a communal house for community strengthening and its activity promotion will be held during the project.

Implementation period: 07/10/2020 - 06/10/2021

Partners: NGO "Sunshine ideas"

NGO Centre for mediation and legal services

Association Independent Living

Granted amount: 12 150,00 Eur 

Summary:

Project will be implemented by 4 NGOs. It solves 2 major challenges that families raising children with special needs (SN) face: 1) improves professional skills of teachers, family members, peers, which are necessary for proper understanding and responding their needs; 2) raises public awareness of neurodiversity, a biological fact common to children with SN, and presents challenges those families face. Audience consists of families raising a child with SN as well as their peers, teachers, professionals, public members. Target groups will be empowered by provision of information, mutual cooperation, good practice exchange, advocacy activities that will be carried in 9 pilot municipalities. The project will result in a strong community of families with children with SN as well as assisting professionals, teachers, public members and their raised awareness. Mutual assistance and mediation skills improvement through family conference sessions will be achieved. The inclusion of vulnerable groups will be promoted as their members will advocate their needs.

Implementation period: 02/11/2020 - 01/05/2022

Medium projects

Partners: Human Resources Monitoring and Development Burreu

Youth day care centre

Klaipeda district association of parents of hearing impaired children and youth "AIDAS"

Union of People with Disabilities of Molėtai Region

Granted amount: 55 800,00 Eur

Summary:

Project will address the issue of discrimination and low participation in the labour market of people with disabilities. Job shadowing initiative DUOday will be organized throughout Lithuania in order to change prejudices of employers and the whole society and to empower people with disabilities to represent their interests in the world of work. During DUOday person with disability will spend all day with his/her colleague observing the work processes, trying some tasks, learning about working environment etc. At least 120 people with disabilities will join the initiative and will spend the day working and “try on” the profession in at least 90 companies and organisations. Employers and corporate employees participating in the initiative will be involved in an awareness raising campaign and encouraged to share impressions and feedback through their existing channels and media. DUOday success stories will encourage other companies and organisations to accept people with disabilities, both by joining the initiative and making decision to hire people with disabilities. The impact of the project will be reduced social exclusion of people with disabilities and better inclusion of them in the labor market.

Implementation period: 01/10/2020 - 30/09/2021

Partners: Blessed J. Matulaitis social center

Kaunas L'arche community

Granted amount: 69 210,99 Eur 

Summary:

Proposed solutions are to create new services adapting inclusion methods and means created by international l’Arche association. We will rise competencies of workers in training of social business, measuring social impact. Analyzing and systemizing the good practices the methodological mean will be created and shared with other social partners.

Self-awareness of disabled people, self-advocacy skills will be strengthened during specialized self-advocacy workshops.  We will strengthen and broaden leisure activities according individual needs and the social service of the workshop as the grants of a full-fledged life. 

 Meetings in society, local communities and educational workshops as well as information campaigns with social advertisement in Vilnius and Kaunas streets and short movies will be held.

Participants – 3 organizations, 50 adults with mental disability. Services will be done and the competencies will be raised in 24 workers and 26 volunteers.

With this project we add to the foundation goals and results:

- Enable vulnerable groups (mentally disabled adults), strengthen their inclusion, broaden their participation in taking decisions in culture, sport and work market.

- Increase public awareness on disability and create positive attitude towards their members.

Results expected:

1. The vulnerable group, 50 adults with mental disability, is enabled to self-advocacy in daily life and in community and has a high-quality leisure according one’s needs.

2. Increased public awareness on people with disability, their abilities, daily life via press publications, social media, thematic meetings in communities and educational workshops.

3. “Self-advocacy” methodology is created on the basis of good praxis and distributed to the public. 5 other social organizations get into it and raise the quality of one work.

4. Three organizations encourage inclusion of vulnerable groups, raise competency of workers and volunteers, create and improve 4 new services for mentally disabled adults, measure their social impact.

Implementation period: 01/10/2020 - 31/03/2022

Partners: Lithuanian Psychoactive Substance Users Initiative Group

Granted amount: 68 999,75 Eur

Summary:

Drug dependent people (DDP) in Lithuania have psychosocial, health problems and they are not being properly advocated in local and state levels. Due to lack co-operation between institutions and DDP, problems are not solved timely and qualitatively, DDPs‘rights are violated. All of this happens because there is no DDP community capable to advocate itself. 

Influence sphere challenges – to prepare vulnerable people to defend the interests of their community, to involve them into advocacy, to empower them and CSOs that advocate them to seek that society would understand vulnerable groups and their needs. 

Aim. To unite and empower Lithuanian DDP representatives and to prompt advocacy of their community‘s rights. 

Purposive groups of the project – DDP who have psychosocial and health issues due to their addiction, DD women and DDPs‘ relatives.

Solution of the problem and results. Purposive group leaders who participate in studies of communication, advocacy, leadership, will gain professional knowledge, will learn to express needs and rights. By taking place in movements of advocacy, DDP will get stronger as a community. By employing professionals, society will be informed about activities of the project, there will be less stigma about DDP. With help of experts, community leaders will participate in discussions with representatives of 5 local administrations, will make problems of the community public and will seek for solutions. DDP communities will prepare a joint advocacy letter to the Lithuanian institutions. They will create FB communication systems (1 private and 1 open) where they will have a discussion. DDP will be empowered and gather into community with its leadership, communication and advocacy knowledge and skills. Needs of members will be known, as well as measures of meeting those needs in local and national levels. Representatives of partners will participate in various trainings and will discuss about NGO empowerment.

Implementation period: 01/10/2020 - 31/03/2022

Partners: Klaipėda’s City art club “Guboja”

Granted amount: 45 000,00 Eur

Summary:

The need of the project based on nowadays researches, analysis of articles and data which shows that people with disabilities are the most “underestimated” group not only in the Klaipeda region, but also in Lithuania. The main challenges for disabled people and their relatives were named by Juodkaite (2017). She noticed that the problems are caused not by the disability itself, but by the barriers which people with disabilities faced.

The main purpose of the project – to empower people with disabilities and their relatives of different ages during project activities and it is closely related to the APF overall objective of empowering vulnerable groups.

Project’s target group - people with disabilities and their relatives of different ages and youth without disabilities in Klaipeda region.

Expected outcomes of the project: people with disability and their relatives who have participated in trainings, which provide information about acceptance of disability and advocacy for their rights; new (speech and language therapy) and improved (inclusive painting skills) services have been encouraged; vulnerable groups have been encouraged and awareness have been increased (educational events were organized for non-disabled people and the project team).

Outcomes of the project will be achieved by these activities: 1. Training for people with disabilities and their relatives. The goal is to empower this group of people and teach self-advocacy. 2. Events of living (dis)ability books for community without disabilities in order to develop a positive attitude towards persons with disabilities 3. Inclusive painting classes for people of all ages with and without disabilities, the purpose is to promote inclusion of people with disabilities. 4. Speech therapy for children with language or communication disabilities, parent support and training on how they can develop children's linguistic abilities to enable children communicate more effectively with others.

Implementation period: 14/10/2020 - 13/10/2021

Partners: Kedainiai Old University of the Third Age

Granted amount: 76 626,00 Eur

Summary:

The project will address the lack of information regarding the implementation and inaccessibility of human rights for the elderly as one of the key factors of social exclusion of this target group.

Target group of the project: elderly people who are at high risk of social exclusion due to their age, health and economic problems, isolation, and loneliness. 

Suggested solution of the problem: improvement of the current “Sidabrinė linija” service by implementing a one-stop telephone information service for the elderly, their caregivers and relatives. With this upgrade, the free of charge “Sidabrinė linija” phone line 8 800 800 20 will be available for providing accurate and reliable information, using age-friendly methods, as well as advice on human rights implementation and other relevant aspects necessary to ensure quality of life and successful aging.

The project aims to bring about the following positive changes, which will directly contribute to the overall objectives of the ACF program - strengthening civil society and empowering vulnerable groups:

1. It is intended to involve 600 vulnerable elderly people in the project and, after increasing their access to information about implementation of human rights, empower them to exercise these rights more actively for both personal and community purposes as well as contribute to society and become more involved;

2. Improving access to relevant information will increase (1) the awareness and participation of the elderly in society, (2) the emotional safety, (3) the empowerment to cope with difficulties, (4) the overall quality of life;

3. Introducing the telephone information system for the elderly will improve the existing “Sidabrinė linija” service, which addresses the needs of vulnerable people. This will make it possible to better understand and meet the needs of vulnerable elderly people.

Implementation period: 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2021

Partners: Barnaheill – Save the Children Iceland 

Granted amount: 71 999,96 Eur

Summary:

The aim of the project is to contribute the implementation of the amendments to the Law on the Fundamentals of the Protection of the Rights of the Child adopted in Lithuania in 2017. By prohibiting all forms of violence against children, most parents face the problem of raising children without violence. “Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting” program is based on science research and child rights perspective and is able to meet these needs of parents. Adapted for parents of different literacy and social skills, this Program aims to reduce the use of violent parenting techniques and corporal or humiliating punishment. The need of courses on parenting skills is not met in the regions due to lack of professional facilitators there. The Organization already has certified Program trainers who can prepare new facilitators. The main goal of this Project is to bring together motivated professionals and to develop a network of parent group facilitators who would be capable of qualitatively delivering the Program for parents, foster parents or guardians in different regions. Participation in the Program groups for parents, foster parents or guardians is free of charge. The Project activities focus on geographically remote regions and target vulnerable groups in order to strengthen and enable them to use non-violent discipline in their families. Thus, the coordination center will start its work in preparation of facilitators and assurance of delivery of the Program. The Center continue its work after the Project will be finished. In cooperation with the Partner, new and effective ways of preventing violence and enhancing children's self-esteem will be sought and best practices in this area shared. The project will strengthen the competencies of the staff to ensure efficient use of available resources within the Organization. The Project will also contribute to the promotion and implementation of child rights.

Implementation period: 01/10/2020 - 31/03/2022

Partners: Lithuanian Red Cross 

Center for Equality and Diversity (Norway)

Granted amount: 59 463,49 Eur

Summary:

There are more than 50 thousand immigrants and over 1400 asylum seekers in Lithuania. The number is increasing annually and thus shedding light on a growing unemployment of vulnerable groups. More than half of refugees in Lithuania remain unemployed while third country citizens struggle finding jobs in cases they were abused or mistreated in their current placement. This remains an issue even though there are approx. 20 000 vacancies for both low- and high-skilled employees in Lithuania. Together with negative perceptions towards foreigners and especially refugees, unemployment plays a critical role sparkling social tensions. It challenges countries' strategies to create prosperous societies and instead leads to more isolated communities, fosters inequality and, as a result, strengthens the already prevailing negative perceptions. 

The main goal of the project is to strengthen the socioeconomic inclusion of vulnerable groups by creating sustainable matching process (between newcomers and employers) and labour market inclusion solutions. To guarantee that the newcomers contribute to prosperous societies, project partners seek to a) develop an IT tool that would match job seeking immigrants with employers, b) hold tailor-made trainings for public sector officials and business companies about diverse and inclusive labour market, c) hold consultations for immigrant groups about their rights and opportunities to integrate into labour market, d) hold practical workshops for media representatives about ethical reporting. 

DDG would reach at least 180 people face to face (would consult at least 100 immigrants and asylum seekers, train 40 public officials, 20 private sector and 20 media representatives through tailored trainings) and another 400 by targeted communication campaign and the IT tool. By achieving that, DDG and partners will play a crucial role in empowering vulnerable groups in different regions, promote regional networking and create a long-lasting solution that would function even after the project ends.  

Implementation period: 20/10/2020 - 19/04/2022

Large projects

Partners: Artists group “Fish Eye”

Nordic ALBA Norway

Granted amount: 149 870,00 Eur

Summary:

The project aims to develop active citizenship related skills of young people and diminish the gap between the ethnic minorities and majority groups. The relevance of the issues around exclusion and vulnerability of Lithuanian ethnic minorities is increasingly high in the context of growing geopolitical tensions in the region and deep exclusion demonstrated by a variety of research (such as Civic Empowerment Index, PISA tests results, Cultural participation studies etc.). 

The project will seek positive impact through partnerships with schools, taking into account that they are attended even by most socially isolated young people. With support of specifically trained creative professionals, young people and their teachers will learn by exploring, solving real problems, realizing their ideas, collaborating with external partners. This way of learning will develop skills of citizenship, critical thinking, creativity and other core 21st century skills. Teachers will start to apply teaching methods based on active and mindful participation. Significant and inspiring aspect of the Programme - it will support emergence of local learning communities, crossing the ethnic and sectoral boundaries. 

The uniqueness of the programme “The Art of Curiosity” lies in its capacity to reach sustainable shifts of behaviours and attitudes of its participants, nurture relationships based on openness and dialogue. After the project, the schools continue to apply all-inclusive, inquire and creativity-based learning strategies and methods. Schools continue collaborations with cultural, municipal, civic society organizations. The project creates conditions to be convinced of benefits of cooperation within the school community and the external partners. Isolation is replaced by openness and connectedness with diverse cultural environment. 

Implementation period: 01/12/2020 - 30/11/2023

Partners: Lithuanian association of neonatology

Granted amount 144 070,00 Eur

Summary:

The aim of the project is to create a distance learning platform using the latest technological solutions as an educational tool to enhance parenting skills and mental health in families of premature newborns, involving health care workers, volunteers and the latest foreign adapted teaching methods. 

The problem is the poor psychological condition of premature babies and the lack of information on the physical health, development and growth of premature babies. 

Target group - parents and family members of premature newborns (4500 persons), medical staff (120 persons). Linking the project to the general objectives of the APF program is to strengthen civil society and empower vulnerable groups.

The created platform will provide vital information on every day until school age, for the care issues of the premature newborn. The information on the platform will be presented in the form of texts, videos, webinars and will be available to everyone, at any time of the day, with the opportunity to quickly use the recommendations and methodological material of the highest qualified specialists. The childcare-monitoring platform is especially relevant for families living in the regions. The educational platform will create conditions for qualified and constantly updated information designated for the future and current medical employees in hospitals throughout the Lithuanian region.

Project results: an innovative distance learning tool developed during the project (1 unit); families (up to 4500 persons) were provided with psychological and social worker remote consultations, were organized trainings for medical specialists (4 units, a total of 120 persons); regional seminars for families were organized (4 units, 72 persons); trainings for volunteers were organized for 20 persons (320 hours in total).

Implementation period: 20/10/2020 - 19/10/2022

Partners: Human Rights Monitoring Institute 

Utena education centre

Adults for Children (Norway)

Granted amount: 129 654,67 Eur

Summary:

According to the data of the social support information system for families, in 2019 there were 5,469 cases of possible violence against children in which 5,122 children actually may have experienced child abuse. This makes up the 1,03 % of children currently living in Lithuania. Meanwhile according to the PSO data (WHO, 2020), 9,6 % of children in the European region experience sexual, 22,9 % physical and 29,1 % psychological abuse. This shows that in Lithuania, adults and children close to the child lack basic knowledge and skills on how to recognize violence and how to seek help. Currently, there is no prevention program in Lithuania that would teach children how to recognize, protect and report different types of violence that could also be consistent and adapted to children of different ages and abilities. In order to effectively protect all children from violence, not only is a prevention program needed but also a well-organized comprehensive assistance to children and their families. In Lithuania, the problem of availability of specialized and professional services remains, especially in remote areas from Vilnius. Objective - to develop and implement a model of violence prevention and intervention services. 

The main target groups: children with developmental disabilities and their families; children that have experienced violence and their families; children who have a higher risk of experiencing abuse and their families; professionals providing help to children and their families; municipal communities; the general public. 

Results: children and their families would be able to recognize and respond appropriately to happening violence; an innovative violence prevention program that meets the needs of children and their families has been fully developed and implemented; children and families are also involved in the development and implementation of the prevention and intervention model, advocacy for their own rights; children and their families are provided specialized assistance because of violence.

Implementation period: 03/11/2020 - 02/01/2023

Partners: Tauragė Women's Employment and Information Center

Lithuania agency "SOS children" Panevezys branch

Granted amount: 148 296,84 Eur

Summary:

The specific needs of women affected by disability (WAD) as well as their rights are not yet addressed in Lithuania. This includes higher probability of gender-based violence, violations of reproductive rights and limited participation in public and political life. WAD experience discrimination, stigmatization, objectivization and their need are not systematically represented by either women rights NGOs or disability NGOs. 

This project at the intersection of gender and disability has twofold purpose (1) to empower a specific vulnerable group affected by gender, disability and intersection of both grounds and (2) bring their strengthened voice to public and political discourse on human rights. Rationale of the project structure is based on three interlinked levels of activities: on the first level the activities will take place in two regions, where groups of active WAD will be gathered, empowered and thus they will take action to bring awareness to their communities and also will engage in advocacy on local level (micro level); on the second level competences of NGOs dealing with women’s issues and disability  will be improved to apply  intersectional approach and create a  platform for mutual cooperation (mezo level); also awareness raising will mainstream intersectional approach in public discourse on national level in order to better address sensitive issues of WAD through articles, radio programmes, podcasts, various visual materials and information package designed to present the topics of gender equality and gender-based violence for WAD on national level (macro level). 

The expected outcomes of the project are the following: improved competences of WAD to advocate for their rights in two regions; NGOs working on issues of women and disability are bridged together and aware about vulnerability emerging from intersectionality; intersectional approach mainstreamed in public discourse to better address specific needs of WAD.

Implementation period: 03/11/2020 - 02/07/2023

Summary: the project addressed the societal gap between more independent and socially vulnerable youngsters, who, due to a lack of skills, are excluded from full and equal participation in the community.

Results:

  • VšĮ "A.C. Patria" and VšĮ "Futura oggi" included 570 youngsters aged 14 to 29 (450 socially vulnerable) and 75 specialists working with youth.
  • 211 young people were involved in individual counseling, 108 went on camps and 52 were accompanied to institutions.
  • 72 youngsters got involved in 140 their created initiatives, 5 trainings and 40 presentations.
  • Young people were empowered to be independent, to take care of themselves, to recognize their own needs and those of their community, and to take responsibility for representing them.

Links: https://patria.lt; Vartai Atviras Jaunimo Centras | Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/A.C.Patria 

Granted amount: 134 503, 07 Eur

Implementation period: 2020-10-19 – 2023-04-18

 

Partners: Public Institution “Youth Line”

Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival (Norway)

Social center “Emma”

Granted amount: 125 100,00 Eur

Summary:

LGBT+ community not only face discrimination from the outside, increased risk of abuse and fewer opportunities, but also more often suffer from stress, depression, lower self-esteem, self-destructive behaviours. However, often LGBT+ people suffer alone and do not seek for help, since it is not available or reliable (or is seen as such). In Lithuania there is a lack of open and safe social-cultural spaces, initiatives of community empowerment.

The project “Space for Community: LGBT+ Social-cultural Activism and Support” aims to empower LGBT+ community by developing social-cultural platform dedicated for the community and possibilities of emotional and informational support and psychological help. The main result: empowered vulnerable groups, specifically LGBT+ community, including not only non-heterosexual and transgender people, but also their families.

Building upon the existing platforms and bilateral cooperation, there will be a space for social-cultural LGBT+ activism developed, consisting of open and semi-open film screenings, discussions, queer readings and other events, started queer archive and social-cultural centre, informational campaign. There will be also some new services of emotional and informational support and psychological help created and already existing ones improved, encompassing individual and group counselling, developing of the support group for the families (mainly parents) of LGBT, updated portal isgirsti.lt, training activities for emotional support volunteers, meetings (activities) with youth at regional schools, other outreach activities. There will be additional attention paid to development and capacity building of the organisations implementing the project.

Implementation period: 01/10/2020 - 28/02/2023

Granted amount: 149 000,00 Eur

Summary:

Project aims to ensure empowerment of vulnerable group – cancer patients, thus improving quality of life for them, also helping to feel valued members of the society and involving people into volunteering activities, etc.

The main target audience of the project – cancer patients – a socially vulnerable group – 100 000 people in Lithuania, whom applicant has been helping since 2013 via POLA card project for which further development applicant seeks financial support. Applicant intends to empower as many cancer patients as possible to obtain free legal, psychological consultations and lifestyle recommendations, to benefit from free or discounted goods and services, to ensure that cancer patients together with caregiver could attend cultural and educational events for free, also provides opportunities for active individuals (volunteers) and NGOs to contribute to these activities.

Throughout the project (1) 5 types of services provided to cancer patients, will be improved; (2) 720 participants will benefit from individual consultations/training on how to better advocate for themselves after hearing cancer diagnosis; (3) cooperation between private and public legal entities will be strengthened (discounts and free invitations will be provided by at least 100 private enterprises and at least 80 cultural and educational institutions); (4) at least 32 civil society organisations will cooperate to promote inclusion and education of cancer patients; (5) at least 80 volunteers will be involved in project activities; (5) at least 135 persons will complete training on how to provide help to vulnerable groups; (7) at least 26 000 people will benefit from the inclusion activities throughout the duration of the project.

After implementing project activities exclusion of cancer patients will be reduced, their financial burden will be alleviated, social skills and independence will be strengthened, patients will be enabled to advocate their needs and encouraged to be actively involved in their treatment process and societal activities, treatment outcomes and quality of life of cancer patients and their families will be improved.

Implementation period: 02/01/2021 - 01/01/2023

Partners: Lithuanian Young Falcon Union

Roma Integration Center 

Women’s activity center of Marijampolė county

Granted amount: 101 343,31 Eur

Summary:

Lithuania is one of the leading countries in the European Union in terms of the risk of social exclusion and poverty of the population. Roma community in particular stands out as a risk group that not only lives in unfavorable economic and social conditions, but also suffers negative public perceptions. There is a strong segregation of this group in the society - 63 percent of the country's population would not want to live in a Roma neighborhood. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the Lithuanian Roma community, together with its partners, initiated the project I CAN, which is focused on strengthening one of the most vulnerable groups in society - the Roma.

The main goal of I CAN project is to empower Roma community by promoting their social inclusion. The aim of this project is not only to enable Roma to become more actively involved in local community activities, but also to promote the dialogue between Roma and non-Roma, thus reducing negative attitudes in society. The target group of the GALIU project is Roma living in Vilnius region (Vilnius city and Salcininkai district municipalities), Siauliai and Marijampole regions.

Over 2 years, the association Lithuanian Roma Community, in cooperation with Lithuanian Young Falcon Union, Roma Integration Center and Women‘s Activity Centre of Marijampole County  will implement Roma empowerment activities in 3 regions. During the project, Roma community will be encouraged to engage in voluntary activities, develop social business concepts and implement intercultural dialogue events that will bring Lithuanian and Roma cultures closer. The project will be carried out with the active involvement of local communities and civil society organizations. During the project, the empowerment measures will reach 300 Roma in three regions of the country, and 410 000 residents of the country will be aware of the existing issue of Roma exclusion. Four organizations working with vulnerable groups will also strengthen their capacity to increase the impact of their activities on the groups they represent.

Implementation period: 02/11/2020 - 01/11/2022