European Union

The 4th civil network building conference of the project “Assistance to marginalised groups of the population, institution-, and network building in Ukraine”, will take place in Janoshchi, Beregove district in Zakarpattia on 12-14 May 2008. The project is supported by the European Union in the framework of Tacis Institution Building Partnership Programme (IBPP).

The main purpose of the event is to discuss a sustainable future framework for cooperation between members, to find the relevant working structure and to strengthen the network. During the conference a joint project proposal will be presented by the participants with the leading of a facilitator.

During the last 2 years a total of 4 conferences were organized with the goal to establish and strengthen an alliance, a civil platform of Western Ukrainian civil society organisations. The Western Ukrainian NGOs network has more than 20 NGO members dealing with socially disadvantaged people. Through the network the members can share vocational information to facilitate common activities in the area of social policy, to advance joint projects and further long-term cooperation.

The general objective of the 2-year project (May 2006-May 2008) was to promote the social integration of unemployed people especially the Roma minority and disabled persons.

This objective was achieved by training opportunities and by launching different types of counselling services; a total of 80 people graduated accredited computer training, 72 people basic computer training and 60 women basic training in housekeeping. Moreover 3000 people participated in counselling services (legal advice from a lawyer, lifestyle advice by social advisor and psychologist). 6 staff-members of ADVANCE took part in 1-week capacity building training in Hungary, widening their knowledge in the fields of PR activities, project proposal writing, report-writing, EU project implementation requirements and visiting other social institutions implementing social and Roma-related projects.

These services increased the target group’s access to equal opportunities, supported them in solving their everyday-problems and promoted their efficient adaptation into society. The other objective of the programme was to provide capacity building to the ADVANCE organisation and to establish an NGO network with at least 20 Ukrainian organisations.

Detailed information about the network and the project is available on www.civilinfo.org.ua, www.advance.org.ua or from the ADVANCE office: 29/1 B. Khmelnytskoho St., Beregovo, , Tel: + 380 3141 43285.