Child Abuse Programme Grants (2007)

Eastern Europe

• Applied Research and Communications Fund

  To address problems emanating from children's use of the Internet in Bulgaria. To develop an educational discussion course for students in the middle and high schools in Sofia entitled: ‘Children in Virtual and Real Violence – Prevention by Discourse and Education’. (Over two years)

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters Foundation

  To support the expansion of the Foundation’s existing programme into a successful model for the prevention of violence against children in closed institutions in Plovdiv and Haskovo in Bulgaria. This will entail continuing the programme's development in each institution, answering children's concrete needs and enlarging the scope of the programme's activities. It will also involve improving children's work through the use of tutors and supervisors. (Over two years)

• Centre for Inclusive Education (Formerly Save the Children UK)

  To better protect vulnerable children through the implementation of the international ‘Keeping Children Safe’ standards for child protection by non-governmental and governmental structures in Bulgaria which work directly with children. In addition, the programme aims to decrease child abuse by developing a common understanding of child protection issues and developing good practices across the complex areas in which it operates. (Over two years)

• Children and Youth Trust Phone

  To continue to provide access for Latvian children in crisis to toll-free phone consultations, information and e-mail consultations. The project will focus on solid referrals and interventions. Psychological help services for specific groups of children and their families will be provided in a planned community centre. Preventive work in schools will address issues such as bullying and aggression, spare-time management, corporal punishment, teenage pregnancy and neglect. (Over two years)

• Gavroche Association

  To strengthen the capacity of selected child-centred NGOs in Bulgaria to lobby for the adoption, implementation and monitoring of child-protection policies and procedures in their localities. This will ensure that NGOs, local authorities and communities work together towards creating a safer environment for all children. (Over three years)

• Gender Education, Research and Technologies Foundation

  To contribute to the decrease and elimination of all kinds of violence among children in Bulgarian schools, residential homes and boarding schools, by implementing a comprehensive anti-bullying and anti-violence training programme at several levels. This will involve teachers, parents, NGOs, the Ministry of Education, psychologists, media, and artists. (Over three years)

• Partners Bulgaria Foundation

  To develop better practices and support for young children with challenging behaviour across all settings of their day-to-day life (home, school, etc.). The project is strongly characterised by inclusion and child-centred principles, and the belief that all children should be provided with the support they need within their own communities. Most of the project activities will be located in the south-west of Bulgaria. Results and learning will be incorporated into national policy. (Over three years)

• Samaritans Association

  To provide protection and professional assistance for the recovery of children and women in Bulgaria who are in a state of intense stress after having experienced violence, forced prostitution or trafficking, and who remain without shelter, income, and emotional and/or material support. The project offers immediate and emergency assistance to the victims through proactive social mediation in resolving crisis situations, as well as referrals to relevant institutions and practitioners in the fields of health, law enforcement, psychology, social work and employment. (Over three years)

• Social Activities and Practice Institute

  To guarantee the best interests of children participating in court proceedings, including respect for their dignity and consideration of their special needs and rights, through improvement of the conditions for legal hearings and the level of competence of the Bulgarian judicial authorities. The ultimate goal of this project is to prepare the ground for child-friendly court proceedings, to introduce and launch adequate forensic facilities for child victims or witnesses of abuse. (Over three years)

• Ventspils Children and Teenagers Center

  To support informative and educational work among professionals and minors within the local community of Ventspils, Latvia, and to support the rehabilitation of teenage girls at the Pasparne Rehabilitation and Crisis Centre. Objectives include setting up a consultation office where youngsters can access information about sexual development, relationships and sexual health; organising seminars for professionals on sexual abuse risks; and training 10 to 12 peer educators to work individually and in groups on sexual abuse and health issues. (Over three years)

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