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The project “SoBy – Improved coordination and Social policies between Municipality of Byala and Commune Gradinari for effective cross-border region”, e-MS code: ROBG-278, is implemented in partnership with Byala Municipality (Ruse District, Bulgaria), Lead Partner of the project, and Gradinari Commune (Giurgiu County, Romania), Beneficiary 2. This project is co-funded by the Interreg V-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme, Priority Axis No. 5 “An efficient Region”, aiming to improve social policies and coordinate between the two public institutions in the cross-border region and the efficient use of administrative resources.
The SoBy project is not a direct continuation of a previously implemented project under the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013, but there is a strong synergy between its approaches and results, specifically the results of Priority Axis No. 3 “Economic and Social Development”, focusing on economic development and social cohesion by jointly identifying and promoting the comparative advantages of the cross-border region.
The main activities of the project “SoBy – Improved coordination and Social policies between Municipality of Byala and Commune Gradinari for effective cross-border region”, e-MS code: ROBG-278, include:
Within the framework of the project, a Joint Strategy was developed to improve the quality of social services provided to the elderly in Byala Municipality and Gradinari Commune. The Joint Strategy proposed several guidelines for improving the quality of social services provided to the elderly in Byala Municipality and Gradinari Commune. Their implementation will contribute to the provision of social services by the two local authorities responding to the needs identified among the elderly.
The overall objective of the Joint Strategy is to identify the main problems the elderly face in the territory of the two local authorities. Based on the overall objective, the Joint Strategy has the following specific objectives: Establishing the necessary information framework for the provision of adequate social services to the elderly; Establishing the context in which the action guidelines for improving the quality of life of older people should be implemented; Establishing the existing situation of the elderly in the territory of the two local authorities; Carrying out an analysis of the social services provided to the elderly to identify the institutional failures in the provision of social services to the elderly in the territory of the two local authorities.
Two social experts were hired as part of the project to facilitate the development of the Social Assistance Department in Gradinari Commune. These social experts have the following responsibilities: elaborating and maintaining the database of beneficiaries who have social needs; taking part in meetings to analyze the situation of the elderly; carrying out assessments of older people to identify and define the issues or needs that they face; carrying out social surveys; preparing reports and supporting documentation on the status of the elderly; making advice to the elderly to retain or reestablish family contacts, to get rights and different papers, and to assist access to appropriate institutions.
Taking into consideration the fact that the enhancement of the quality of services offered to senior citizens in the community is dependent on the existence of adequate equipment, the two social specialists were provided the following equipment: Two computers equipped with the required software, a multifunction printer, a video projector, and a projection screen.
The creation of GraDAL signifies the development of a system that will ensure the elderly can live an active life and provide a direct connection to the two social experts hired through the project and working within the City Hall of Gradinari Commune.
Creating a direct communication system between the elderly and the two social workers employed in the City Hall of Gradinari Commune to implement the GraDAL system involves using the 32 mobile phones and prepaid cards purchased as part of the project. This system will allow the elderly to communicate directly with the two social workers. To guarantee an effective and productive communication line, the mobile phones that have been acquired will provide the capacity to place an immediate call to either of the two social workers.
At the same time, as part of this activity, medical kits consisting of backpacks, first aid kits, and weekly medication organizers were purchased. These kits were distributed to senior citizens alongside brochures containing helpful phone numbers and pertinent information on the legislation currently in effect in the social services field.
Because Byala Municipality (Ruse District, Bulgaria) has extensive experience in the social services field, an exchange of experience was organized in this activity so that Gradinari Commune has a broader vision of both good practices and problems encountered in this area. In this way, the two local authorities could find common solutions to similar problems encountered over time.
In the framework of this activity, this web platform was created, which provides access and contact information of the relevant institutions in the field of social service provision present in Romania and Bulgaria.
Also, Gradinari Commune has developed a database that includes information about the elderly in the Byala Municipality – Gradinari Commune cross-border region.
The database contains information on the living conditions of the elderly in the two local authorities, their state of health and whether they have family or, as the case may be, other people caring for them.
It is an important tool for documenting the social support measures needed at the level of the two communities in correlation with the guidelines achieved by the Joint Strategy developed within the project.
Social experts from the project partners will have periodic access to the database.
Within the framework of the project, four common events were organized for the elderly people living in the territory of Byala Municipality and Gradinari Commune. Two events were organized in Byala Municipality (Ruse District, Bulgaria) and two in Gradinari Commune (Giurgiu County, Romania). Each event had more than 30 participants and included a roundtable discussion attended by staff from both Byala Municipality and Gradinari Commune.
The events were held in a friendly atmosphere and allowed the social service providers to learn about all the needs and problems of the elderly. At the same time, the events provided a good opportunity for seniors to interact with people of the same age on the other side of the Danube.
Participants from the Gradinari Commune in the events organized in Byala Municipality received a tour of Byala Municipality and had the opportunity to visit the new centre for the elderly created by the project.
Also, a presentation on “New Trends in Social Services” was given.
The participants shared their views on social services, future initiatives for improvement, and the cooperation between institutions in this field.
As a result of the events, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the two partners.
In the framework of the project, Byala Municipality established the Centre for the elderly “Flora”. This Centre was established in an abandoned building and was suitably renovated and equipped. Thus, within the framework of this activity, construction works were carried out (electrical and plumbing installations were renewed), landscaping, fence construction, and the purchase of internal furniture and equipment for the doctor’s and dentist’s offices.
Within the Centre were also installed:
The implementation of this activity served as an example of good practice for both partners. Within the project, visits were organized between the partners, where demonstrations were carried out regarding the new Centre for the Elderly in Byala Municipality, as the modernization of the infrastructure plays an important role in improving the efficiency of the institution.
www.sobyrobg.eu
