Managing Authority: Managing Authority of the Objective “European Territorial Cooperation” Operational Programmes of the Ministry for Economy and Development, acting as the Managing Authority of the Cooperation Programme “Interreg V –A Greece-Bulgaria” 2014-2020
Funding programme: Cooperation Programme “Interreg V –A Greece-Bulgaria” 2014-2020
Lead Beneficiary: International Initiatives for Cooperation
Partners:
– Project Beneficiary 2: Prefectural Association of People with disabilities of Kavala’ s Prefecture
– Project Beneficiary 3: Association Regional Center for vocational education training to CCI – Blagoevgrad
– Project Beneficiary 4: National Confederation of Disabled People of Greece-Branch of Northern Greece
– Project Beneficiary 5: Association “Business Center-Maritza”
– Project Beneficiary 6: Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce
Period of implementation: 31/10/2017 – 30/10/2019
Overall objective:
The project constitutes a CB initiative which is directly linked to the programme objectives as it supports vulnerable groups to overcome specific employment barriers, by promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and discriminations in the labour market, and by providing specialized support for social enterprises. The Project will focus on expanding social entrepreneurship in the CB area, bettering employability and employment of the vulnerable groups, as well as facilitating mutual learning and capacity building using new mechanisms and ICT.
Основната цел на проекта е свързана с подобряване на начина на живот на уязвимите групи в региона чрез Its main objective derives from the aim to improve the way of living of vulnerable groups in the area by their labour inclusion, especially of those most exposed to social exclusion. Based on the innovative Project’s concept, a number of objectives have been set.
Specific objectives:
1) Improve job access for vulnerable groups in the area, using innovative practices, based on the development of CB integrated Social Economy initiatives under development & for tackling labour inequalities;
2) Establish new mechanisms, coped with the poverty by promoting services of comfort, and counselling at home, including in rural & isolated areas;
3) Improve the capacity and efficiency of social enterprises and open market at large, especially in reaching and employing isolated and deprived communities, such as persons with disabilities, Roma population, etc.
4) Promote self-employment and fight digital illiteracy.
Activities:
Work package 1: Project Management & Coordination
Work package 2: Communication & Dissemination
Work package 3: Capacity building among vulnerable groups
Work package 4: Capacity building among CB artisans
Work package 5: Technology: Innovation & Institutional Strengthening
Work package 6: Initiatives beyond the CB area and abroad
Expected results:
– preparation activities, such as: preparatory studies within the CB area (focus on traditional craftsmanship, employment of disadvantaged people, social economy, etc.), study visits abroad on good practices;
– awareness / activation events for all parties (4 local conferences) and training activities targeted to artisans (6 seminars), disadvantaged people (2 seminars), local authorities, sponsors, and other stakeholders (2 national workshops);
– a Joint Guide for new Work Integration Social Enterprises
– a network of two CB Employment Support Centers for inclusion in traditional handicrafts that will be responsible for operating the envisioned e-Promotion activity and delivering (in house) services to traditional artisans (act as incubators) and disadvantaged persons (acting as employment and carrier centres);
– a Pilot insertion programme (offering support to 40 artisans and 100 disadvantaged persons);
– workshops and seminars;
– jointly operated mobile units that will be responsible for providing (on the user site) a number of the aforementioned support services to artisans and disadvantaged persons in remote areas (another 40 artisans and 100 disadvantaged persons);
– open contest for novel business ideas in the field of traditional handcrafts, with financial prizes (3 best ideas) for the winners, plus support to prepare detailed business plans and establish their new social enterprises;
– a fully accessible ePromotion platform for handicrafts from the CB (in the form of an “online Social Mall”);
– a mobile app for members of the network (handicraft sellers);
– the production of supported Artisans Catalogue 2018;
– organisation of two traditional festivals for supported structures and artisans to present their products and promote the Project, the Employment support centers and the online platform;
– networking with international organisations, educational institutions, etc.;
– an online Observatory for impact monitoring
