27-04-2022 15:25
On April 18 and 19, 2022, The Programme Operator of “Local development, poverty reduction and enhanced inclusion of vulnerable groups” Programme funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021, signed contracts for financing project with the municipalities of Tvarditsa, Lom, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Malko Tarnovo, Stara Zagora, Maglizh, Kyustendil, Kozloduy, Botevgrad and Sofia Municipality under the procedure “Early Childhood Education and Care“.
The total amount of the funding provided for the ten approved project is 4 928 731,51 euro. The projects aim to support children from vulnerable groups, including early childhood Roma communities and their families, to improve access to health care, develop parenting skills, improve the family environment, and increase children's school readiness for inclusion. in the education system, aiming to reduce the transmission of intergenerational poverty. Centers and / or complexes of functionally related services (hub *) for education and care at an early age will be created.
The projects were developed jointly with NGO partners and partners from donor countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) after extensive consultations with representatives from the vulnerable communities in the territory where the projects will be implemented. Participation and cooperation with donor country partners in the projects is supported and encouraged in connection with the main objective of the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 which is to improve bilateral relations between the donor countries and Bulgaria.
Project activities include measures for early childhood education activities, early childhood development and care activities, social inclusion activities, measures to engage and activate parents, promote the participation of families, municipalities, NGOs and relevant local stakeholders, development and delivery of didactic materials, the achievement of results will be ensured by project experts - educators, Roma educational mediators, psychologists, social workers, medical professionals and others.