Ignalina and Daugavpils against poverty and social exclusion

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Ignalina and Daugavpils regions face similar problems: long-term structural unemployment, high rate of low – income socially vulnerable households and shortage of quality social services for youth and children from social exclusion. Although there are several providers of the social services in Ignalina and Daugavpils, none of them is specialized in social services for socially excluded children. Usually these are specialized centers controlled by local municipality, who offer different kind of support for socially affected groups without age referring. The aim of this project is to provide opportunities for target group members to improve themselves by gaining new skills, developing their talents, overcoming their fears and thus to reduce social tensions in both Ignalina and Daugavpils regions. It is expected, that living conditions of 3 target groups´ – children from socially excluded multi-child families, children from socially excluded families and families with disabled children – will be improved by the project. During the project problems of socially vulnerable youth will be discussed, the experience will be exchanged and psychological support will be given through the trainings, lectures and camps in easy and effective way. 400 children in total will participate in 10 joint camps of the project in both, Latvia and Lithuania. There will be three types of camps, targeting different groups. 160 children from social exclusion families will take part in 4 camps, 200 children from socially excluded multi-child families will visit another 4 camps and 40 children will take part in 2 camps for children with disabilities. In camps the children will learn basic camping skills, essential diet understanding and food preparation skills, will be engaged in teamwork building exercises, musical programmes and exercises to discover talents, develop creativity and boost their self-confidence in such a way. These activities will be carried out by volunteers from both partners, who will share their best experiences with each other. In order to organize camps effectively, wide range of camp and kitchen equipment will be bought for Daugavpils partner. The premises of Ignalina parish will be repaired and designed for Youth Day Center, a kitchen with a dining room with all necessary equipment will be installed. In this center, young people will organize their social and cultural activities. Finally, concluding conference will be organized. Project will create more active social and cultural life of the communities and cultural exchanges across the border.

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