Vulnerable communities
Since its establishment, the FDP – Protagonists in Education Association has had interventions in impoverished communities, emphasizing actions with long-term impact, as well as immediate support to alleviate the struggles they face.
Through involvement we make a difference!
We support over 1,400 disadvantaged people annually, including those in vulnerable environments and at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Our intervention is realized by providing access to basic social services and personalized support (such as counseling or basic goods based on identified needs).
In 1999, we supported the opening of a kindergarten for children in the village of Iazu (Cojasca, Dambovita county), responding to the needs of at-risk children in danger of dropping out of school through remedial and non-formal activities, as well as counseling and information for their parents.
We paid particular attention to families struggling to survive without access to electricity, heating, or running water. Energy poverty is a complex phenomenon that involves multiple vulnerabilities and creates barriers to social and professional integration. In addition to difficulties in accessing basic energy services, vulnerable families live in precarious conditions, have limited access to health and social services, and their children and young people have poor participation in education and the labor market.
Through a series of projects aimed at taking the first steps towards energy efficiency in the most vulnerable areas, we identified solutions to reduce energy poverty, contributing to improving the quality of life of these families living in extreme poverty.
IMPACT in Ludești
A project with a direct impact on increasing access to education for young people in the Ludești community is now underway: January 2022 – December 2024.
The “IMPACT Ludesti” project was born following an analysis at the local level in the village of Ludesti, Dâmbovița county. As a series of needs were identified within the Roma community in the town, together with our partner, the local authority of Ludesti, we wanted to be the ones who try to improve the situation of this community. Our intervention represents a premiere in the locality and will be an example of good practice, inspiring and encouraging the community and the local authority to develop new educational projects.
Projects in vulnerable communities
Art AcCeSs – From art Therapy to AcCeSs to education
Art ACCESS – From ART therapy to ACCESS to education is an Erasmus+ cooperative partnership that aims to create a new approach to teaching learning when working with children diagnosed with CES using art therapy methods.
Social Housing
We ensure support and decent living conditions for people at risk, until they are able to overcome their difficulties. We want to improve the lives of these people and encourage them not to lose hope, thus showing them that humanity wins and that support will always be there for them.
The first steps towards alternative energy efficiency solutions
Aim: carrying out a pre-feasibility study of all the houses in Iazu and equipping the dispensary in Cojasca (Iazu, Cojasca and Fântânele villages), Dâmbovița county, with On-Grid photovoltaic panels.
Social Housing
We ensure support and decent living conditions for people at risk, until they are able to overcome their difficulties. We want to improve the lives of these people and encourage them not to lose hope, thus showing them that humanity wins and that support will always be there for them.
Since 1998, we have a series of interventions for vulnerable people, to whom we offer access to decent living conditions and support.
It’s been 24 years since we began helping 34 young people, including their children to develop independent life skills, to be included and supported in social life.
Purpose of the program: Development of independent living skills
The objectives set: Support and social inclusion program for 30 young people at risk of social exclusion and their children.
Direct beneficiaries: 23 young people, indirect beneficiaries: 11 children.
Results
Management of 4 social apartments that accommodate 10 young people at risk and 3 of their children, plus a family with 5 children (2 adults + 5 children)
Management of 1 protected housing “Majilinda” for emergency situations (licensed social service)
Acquiring independent living skills and parenting
- A workshop (8 young people from underprivileged categories, activity carried out in partnership with S.C. Proiect Mozaic SRL, the social enterprise of the association) in which the young people were able to learn and develop relationship and communication skills, learn to work both individually and in a team, learn to follow a schedule. This workshop continued until the outbreak of the pandemic (March 2020).
Management of 4 social apartments that accommodate 10 young people at risk and 3 of their children, plus a family with 5 children (2 adults + 5 children)
Management of 1 protected housing "Majilinda" for emergency situations (licensed social service)
Acquiring independent living skills and parenting
A workshop (8 young people from underprivileged categories, activity carried out in partnership with S.C. Proiect Mozaic SRL, the social enterprise of the association) in which the young people were able to learn and develop relationship and communication skills, learn to work both individually and in a team, learn to follow a schedule. This workshop continued until the outbreak of the pandemic (March 2020).
Event
In January 2018, 20 of these young people had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis personally in a private audience. The young people and all who accompanied them to this meeting experienced the moment with amazement, feeling blessed.
The event also marked 20 years since first meeting them, as abandoned children in orphanages in Bucharest. Our association started its first project of deinstitutionalization of abandoned children in the Victor Babeș and Vidra Hospital with them.
How do we still help them today?
Management of 3 social apartments that house 4 young people at risk and 3 children.
Management of 1 “Majilinda” protected housing for emergency situations (1 young person at risk)
We provide support for the acquisition of independent living and parenting skills
Management of 3 social apartments that house 4 young people at risk and 3 children.
Management of 1 "Majilinda" protected housing for emergency situations (1 young person at risk)
We provide support for the acquisition of independent living and parenting skills