The Carpathian Foundation and its cross-border partners, coordinating the Carpathian Civil Society Platform, have launched a Civil Innovation Award to recognise and support the best rural community initiatives in the Carpathian Euroregion (Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland and Romania).
To this end, a call for applications was launched at the end of 2023 in the countries concerned, open to registered NGOs and informal communities with community-based initiatives in the region over the last two years.
The Carpathian Civic Innovation Award and the accompanying non-reimbursable financial support of €300 was awarded to one organisation in each of the 5 countries:
Hungary - Somnakuno Drom Roma Women’s Civil Association: Don’t give up!
In six weeks, the organisation took the initiative to build their own community space in an incredible way, with their own hands. The Golden House Roma Community House was created through community collaboration, community funding and donations. They have created an open, non-judgmental space where there is room for everyone!
Slovakia: Zensky Algorithm - Women2Women
After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the organisation sought to help by creating a safe community for women where they could receive professional counselling and career advice. These women in Slovakia found it easier to find their way to a new job and to be in a community of women who could support them in difficult situations. More than 100 women have been helped to overcome obstacles in their job search.
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18e7mIEk_SdzD0ZdEUqJWTTm5r_CzH6PV/view?usp=sharing
Poland: Folkowisko Stowarzyszenie - Cross-border cultural bridges
Folkowisko Association's innovation focuses on mobilising the social, cultural and economic potential of the community and developing new social networks and partnerships, especially in disadvantaged areas of the Polish-Ukrainian border. The main achievement of the association has been the creation of a strong community of activists who were involved in humanitarian actions during the refugee crisis on the Polish-Ukrainian border. The Association has provided humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of people, and in the process has established a number of international partnerships.
Innovation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxX8P0T9pvE
Humanitarian aid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcjovswBEHg
Ukraine: Association Zakarpattia Library - Space for Unity and Support
During the war, the organisation was involved in various activities to address and minimise the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The Space for Unity and Support project was implemented to achieve several objectives:
- Improvement of psycho-emotional state and reduction of emotional stress through a series of art therapy activities and motivational meetings, as well as through the management of support groups.
- Improving the relationship between refugees and local residents in the country, facilitating the integration of refugees into the community through the organisation of an interactive club on Ukrainian language learning, networking meetings, art sessions, music gatherings, etc.
Programme news: https://pmg.ua/life/113845-v-uzhgorodi-dlya-vpo-provodytsya-proyekt-prostir-yednosti-ta-pidtrymky
Romania – Székelyudvarhely Community Foundation – Run for it!
Run for it! is an innovative fundraising sports event and community programme that supports the fundraising efforts of local NGOs for community projects.
A detailed description of the program:
https://szka.ro/programjaink/tamogatasi-programok/fuss-neki/
Video summary: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=155333064272424&ref=sharing
In addition, 10 other organisations from the five countries were awarded the Social Innovation Award, all of which also had excellent projects:
Vajdavári Vándorok - Együtt Demjénért Foundation - Zabarért Association, Kis Bocs Baba-Mama Public Benefit Association - Hungary
Emtegra, Spolocnost Parkinson Slovensko - Slovakia
Hand of Help, Movement for support of Zakarpattia Militaries - Ukraine
Fundacja Folkowisko - Poland
Muzicando Association, Nu Discrimina Association – Romania
All the winning teams were invited to the international conference from 28 February to 1 March 2024, where they could present and learn about the initiatives of the other winning teams from other countries of the Carpathian region. The awards were officially presented at this event.
Congratulations to all applicants!
The aim of the Carpathian Civil Society Platform is to strengthen a vibrant, diverse and just civil society in the Carpathian region. The Platform supports cooperation between civil society organisations working for the most excluded and vulnerable communities in the Carpathian Euroregion. It aims to strengthen the weight and influence of civil society through capacity building, local and inter-regional networking, and the sharing of experience, knowledge and good practice in social innovation. The Platform's partner organisations are Fundacja Peritum - Poland, ETP Slovakia, Carpathian Foundation - Hungary and Carpathian Foundation - Ukraine and SZMISZ Romania.
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