For the fourth consecutive year, the “Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion” gathered representatives of various non-governmental organizations from the Balkans and Southeast Europe to exchange experience on its Development Program with a focus on FSCI’s successful models, their replication in the region and the power of networks.

Seven NGOs from FSCI’s Development Programme took part, with delegates coming from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland and the UK.

The main purpose of the annual conference was to share the projects’ progress in the different countries, exchange ideas on how to build successful support networks at local, national and international level, what are the trends in fund-raising in 2018, and how to develop a successful organizational strategy.

Held in Skopje over three days, the conference included sessions and workshops where experiences of partnership in the programme were exchanged, good practice shared and the difficulties encountered in working with youth, children and families from vulnerable groups were discussed.

Under its Development Programme, FSCI is currently partnering with seven like-minded organisations in the Balkans and Southeast Europe. Providing a manual for work on its programmes, regular training and meetings, FSCI is helping to successfully replicate the House Opportunity project in Serbia (2 family-type homes), Croatia (2 family-type homes) and Albania (1 family-type home). The Greek partners run a day care centre for young people leaving homes for children deprived of parental care in Athens, while partnerships are now being developed in both Moldova and Macedonia.

In order to increase social change and inclusion across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, FSCI is offering the House of Opportunity and Early Years Education Programmes that the foundation has developed in Bulgaria to other like-minded organisations throughout the region by inviting them to join its Development Programme.

Seven organisations are already partnering with FSCI – House of Opportunity projects have started in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, with Albania not far behind. FSCI’s Greek partners are running a Day Care Centre for care leavers in Athens, while the Albanian partner of FSCI – A2B, with support from FSCI, is helping a local church run a kindergarten for 40 Roma children.

House of Opportunity in Croatia – two official openings in one week

The official openings of the Houses of Opportunity in Čakovec and Varaždin took place at the beginning of September. The launch events were very well attended with guests including the Mayor of the city and the deputy governor of the regional municipality who all spoke of their appreciation of this project. Two FSCI representatives were also delighted to be able to join in the celebrations – the Founder and Chairman of the Bulgarian foundation – Chris Mould and the organization’s Coordinator for the Balkans – Annette Glaw.

Both of the openings were covered positively on national and local TV for several days afterwards.

(Watch a video of HOP Čakovec here and a video of a drama the young people and staff of HOP Varazdin performed about young people having to leave foster care when they turn 18 – click here)

House of Opportunity going from strength to strength in Serbia

House of Opportunity Belgrade has been going well for the last eleven months and Tanya, the House Manager and director of Center Star, has been busy with preparations for a second Serbian House in the city of Niš.

At the beginning of Sept. Center Star was able to rent a suitable apartment and training of the HOP staff, volunteers and other interested people by Nikolay, FSCI’s Social Work Dept. Manager, took place mid-September. The team have also identified candidates to join the House of Opportunity Programme in Niš.

House of Opportunity (or “Half-Way House”) finally opened in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

After a long and challenging development period, the first residents were finally able to move into the House of Opportunity that our Partners, Our Kids Foundation, are running in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

There are eight young men in the programme, most of whom have already found a job. The staff team is busy with offering all sorts of training for the young people.

A lot has happened to our Serbian partners since they joined our Development Programme - not only did they help us organise the second FSCI Network Conference in Belgrade in March, they also celebrated their third birthday as an NGO during the conference. Their greatest joy was that the majority of young people they have helped during these past three yearswere able to join in the celebrations.

The day before the conference, the official opening of the House of Opportunity in Belgrade was held. Representatives from governmental and non-governmental services, FSCI Network Conference participants from many different Balkan countries, as well as friends and supporters of Center Star attended the event. Even a TV crew was present and a short clip aired on Serbian TV.

The next big event was the “Ballet Magnificat”, a show performed by a professional American ballet company in Belgrade on 9 May and supported by the US Embassy. The proceeds of the ticket sales went to Center Star for their House of Opportunity Programme. As a consequence, the team of House of Opportunity Belgrade had the opportunity to meet the speaker of the national assembly and present the project, and one of the residents in the observed home shared his life story and how the programme is helping him to finish college and prepare for independent living. Afterwards, they visited the royal family in their residence and met representatives of the princess’s Foundation which helps children without parental care, among other things.

Since the House of Opportunity in Belgrade is going well, Center Star is preparing to open a network of Houses across the country. Plans to open a House in Niš (south of Serbia) are underway, and Tanya had a very encouraging time there recently meeting prospective staff.

Other news from the FSCI Development Programme

 Two more organisations have recently signed up to our FSCI Development Programme: Nada zaŽivot is planning to open a House of Opportunity in Čakovec, Croatia, in July 2016. They have found an apartment and have most of the staff in place. The regional and city municipality have promised to pay for the rent and the utility bills for the HOP, which is very encouraging. Roots Research Center, Greece plan to set up a specialist day centre in Athens for young people coming out of care.

The House of Opportunity Varaždin, Croatia, which was started in Feb. by HocuŽivot (I want life), has currently four residents and is doing well.

Our partner A2B Albania is in the process of setting up a House of Opportunity in Elbasan using a building donated rent free by the local municipality.