Closing conference on project “ENTER”

Closing conference on project “ENTER” was carried out yesterday in Hall № 1 of hotel “Rodina” Sofia. The conference marked the end of project “ENTER – Improving the position of ex-offenders on the labor market”, which was implemented by Crime Prevention Fund – IGA with the financial support of MATRA Programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in partnership with PSW employment consultancy – Netherlands. The implementation of the project and the achieved results were presented on the conference. Participation in it took the Deputy Ambassador of Netherlands Martijn Elgersma, Yordanka Fandakova – Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality, Petar Vasilev – Director of General Directorate “Execution of penalties” at the Ministry of Justice, Rombout Jas – project coordinator from Netharlands, Dimitar Rusinov – project coordinator from Bulgaria, representatives of state institutions engaged in this sphere and the nongovernmental sector. The main accent of the conference was the presentation of the Model ENTER – Center for social rehabilitation and integration of offenders.

Work meeting gathered institutions in Velingrad

In the end of the last week in hotel “Elbrus” – Velingrad a Work meeting was carried out in the frames of project “ENTER – Improving the position of ex-prisoners on the labor market” funded by MATRA Programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives of the Social Assistance Agency, Directorate “Social assistance” – Pazardjik, District Probation Service, the Prison and Regional Court – Pazardjik participated in the meeting.
The aim of the meeting was the preparation of draft version of Methodology for work with ex offenders. The participants were introduced with the Analysis of the situation on reintegration of ex offenders in the Region of Pazardjik and the country. The activities of the institutions and their participation in this process were also discussed.

IGA attending International conference in Prague

Fund IGA received an invitation for participation in International conference “Tripartite cooperation and civil society”. On initiative of the Czech organization “People in Need” and the Dutch Embassy in Prague Andrey Momchilov - International projects manager at Fund - IGA attended the event. Along with NGO representatives from 15 countries on 13th and 14th of September he will participate in forum dedicated on the activity of MATRA Program in Central and Eastern Europe. A review of the implemented activity on the Program until the moment was done along with decision making regarding the extension of EU and the acceptance of new members.
The IGA’s participation is also an assessment for the organization’s successful achievements on MATRA projects - Program at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the photo: The conference was carried out in the building of Czech Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Representatives of institutions from Pazardjik and Sofia discussed together the reintegration of ex-offenders

On 26th and 27th June in Borovets a seminar on theme “Adoption of model for reintegration of ex-prisoners” was carried out. The training was intended for institutions from Sofia and Pazardjik. Participation took representatives of Sofia Municipality, Ministry of Justice, General Directorate “Execution of penalties”, the District probation services - Sofia and Pazardjik, Sofia central prison and the prison of Pazardjik, Agency for Social Assistance , Employment Agency, Supreme cassation prosecution, Sofia city court, District administration - Pazardjik and LCPJD - Pazardjik.
The seminar was organized in the frames of project “ENTER”, which is implemented by Crime Prevention Fund - IGA in partnership with PSW - Employment Consultancy, Netherlands. The project is funded by Program MATRA of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In relation with the implementation, in Hall №1 of Sofia Municipality pres-conference was carried out in which participated representatives of Fund - IGA, Sofia Municipality, Sofia central prison etc. On the photo: Moment from the pres-conference

Institutions from three regions – Blagoevgrad, Pernik and Kiustendil discussed a program for social reintegration of ex-offenders

The third regional seminar on theme “Adoption of a model for reintegration of ex-offenders” was carried out in the town of Melnik. Participation in the forum took representatives from Directorate “Social assistance” – Blagoevgrad, District Directorate “Police” – Blagoevgrad, the prosecution in Blagoevgrad, the prison of Bobov dol and the prison administration, District probation services in Blalgoevgrad, Pernik and Kiustendil, representatives of the Municipal administration of Sandanski, Regional police department – Sandanski and the nongovernmental section within the region. The seminar began with a press-conference in the plenary hall of the Municipal council – Sandanski. In it participated the deputy mayor of the Municipality - Liubka Yankova, Valentina Karaganova – head of the “Social activity in detention places and probation” towards the Directorate “Execution of penalties” at the Ministry of Justice, Mileti Oresharski – director of the Sofia central prison, Marina Manolcheva - Executive Director of Fund – IGA and Dimitar Rusinov – Program Director. The seminar is on the project “ENTER”, which is been implemented from Crime prevention fund – IGA in partnership with PSW – Consultancy Employment, Netherlands. The project is been financially supported by MATRA program at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the training the participants introduced themselves with the elaborated from Fund – IGA “Model for reintegration of ex-offenders” which was proposed for adoption in them three regions.

The reintegration of ex-prisoners discussed in Vratsa

On 4th and 5th of May in the resort of “Minkovi bani” (village of Spanchevci) a seminar on theme “Adoption of model for reintegration of ex-prisoners” was carried out. The seminar is within the frames of project “ENTER” – Improving the position of ex-prisoners on the labor market”. Hours before the seminar in the Hall of the Preventive-informational center counteracting the drug-misuse in Vratsa a press-conference was carried out with presentation of the project and the project goals that the region aims. Participation in the seminar took representatives of Municipality administration – Vratsa, the Directorates “Social assistance” of Vratsa, Rousse and Vidin, District court – Vratsa, the prison and the prison administration of Vratsa, District probation service, LCPJD, Regional Police Department, the Prosecution and the nongovernmental sector – totally of 26 persons. The institutions presented information about their activity and their role regarding the improvement of the position of ex-prisoners on the labor market. The organizers from Fond – IGA briefed the participants with the developed in the frames of the project “Model for reintegration of ex-prisoners”, which can be adopted in the region. Project “ENTER” is been implemented from Crime Prevention Fund – IGA in partnership with PSW – Consultation of the labor market, the Netherlands. It is financially supported by MATRA program at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main aim of the project is to improve the positioning of ex-prisoners on the labor market, and also to increase their participation when adopting the programs for social reintegration.

IGA presented a model for reintegration of ex-prisoners in Pleven

On 25th and 26th of April in the hotel “Via Trayana”, District of Pleven a seminar was carried out on theme “Initiating of model for reintegration of ex-prisoners”. Participation in it took representatives from Pleven Municipality, them Directorates “Labor bureau” and “Social assistance service”, Regional court, them prisons of Pleven and Lovech, the District probation service, District Directorate “Police”, Regional police department, Prosecution and the nongovernmental sector. The seminar was carried out in the frames of project “ENTER”, which is been implemented by Crime Prevention Fund – IGA in partnership with PSW – Consultations on the labor market, country of Netherlands. The project is funded by MATRA program at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its main aim is to improve the positioning of the ex-prisoners on the labor market, as well as to improve their participation when adopting programs for social reintegration. Dimitar Rusinov – the Program director of Fund – IGA briefed the participants with the project and its implementation, and Valentina Karaganova – director of department “Social activities in detention places and probation” at the Ministry of Justice presented before the participants the policy of General Directorate “Execution of penalties” regarding the people released from prison. On the seminar the resources of District Pleven for improving the state policy for provision of services for ex-prisoners were introduced, an analysis of the situation with the persons released from the prison in Pleven was done and also the role of the Directorates “Social assistance service” and “Labor bureau” for improving the situation of the ex-prisoners on the labor market. During the second day the model for reintegration of ex-prisoners “ENTER” was introduced and the opportunities for its adoption in the region was discussed.

A discussion about the position of ex-offenders on the labor market carried out in Razlog

The work group on the project “Enter” – “Improving the position of ex-offenders on the labor market”, which was established in Blagoevgrad, carried out the second work meeting which was held in Razlog during the last week. Participation in the event took the head of Directorate “Social assistance” – Blagoevgrad, chiefs of the District probation services in Blagoevgrad and Kiustendil, NGO representatives from the region “International initiatives for co-operation” – Razlog and Foundation “Perspectives” – Sandanski, also representatives of Crime prevention fund – IGA. On this second work meeting were discussed the position of the offenders on the labor market, the connection and the co-operation of the institutions and the opportunities for giving mediation and social services. The participants did observation of the forthcoming activities and events regarding the project in 2007 and also the training of specialists from different institutions for adopting Dutch models in the social work with ex-offenders. The aim of the work group is to assist on local level the processes of re-integration of them released prisoners. The project is implementing by Fund – IGA, with the financial support of MATRA programme of the Dutch Foreign Ministry.

Cooperation between the institutions for supporting of persons realized from prison

Yesterday in the office of Fund – IGA was carried out work meeting on project ENTER – “Improving the position of ex-offenders on the labor market”. On the meeting came representatives of local and national institutions – the deputy governor of District Pazardjik Ivan Avramov, the chairman of Municipality council – Pazardjik Todor Popov, the Director of Directorate “Labor market” Katya Yaneva, the head and the deputy head of Pazardjik prison Veselin Kotsev and Gavril Stanchev, interim Director of Directorate “Social assistance” Mariana Buncheva, representatives of District probation service – Pazardjik, Child pedagogic office (RPD) – Pazardjik, the prison in Bobov dol. Questions were discussed regarding the possibilities for supporting the people released from prison in Pazardjik region. The hosts from Fund – IGA Marina Manolcheva, Dimitar Rusinov and Valentina Gesheva presented some of the social services on active projects for social work with offenders. A strategy for the future activities on cooperation with the institutions was discussed. Project ENTER started in the end of 2005 , funded from MATRA program of the Dutch foreign affairs Ministry.

The general director of Dutch prison system – in Pazardjik within IGA`s project

Today, 25th of September, a press-conference was carried out regarding the visit of the Jan van den Brand - the genera director of Dutch prison system, head of the Dutch International Affairs and Rene van Hooren – manager, PSW - Consultations on the labour market, Netherlands. Their visit was related with the “ENTER” project, which is been implemented from PSW - Consultations on the labour market and Crime Prevention Fund – IGA and its financed by MATRA Programme of the Dutch Foreign Ministry. The aim of the visit was monitoring of the project and carrying out of one week training of trainers, which will be implemented on “Borovetz” resort from 26 - 29th of September. To take part in this event arrive the Director of General Directorate “Execution of Penalties” towards Ministry of Justice and Valentina Karaganova – Head of the department “Correctional activity in Detention places and probation” towards the same institution. Pazardjik was represented from the District governor Angel Cholakov, Georgi Shopov - Chairman of Regional court, Veselin Kotsev – Director of the prison, Marina Manolcheva – Executive Director of Crime Prevention Fund – IGA and Dimitar Rusinov – Program Director. Except the “ENTER” project, there were also presented and the perspectives for cooperation between them two countries in the prison reform area. Jan van den Brand announced the intention of Dutch Ministry of Justice for priority work with four countries and marked Bulgaria as one of them.

Regional working group on project “ENTER” already works in Blagoevgrad

Working group on project “ENTER” – Improving the position of (ex) offenders of the labor market was created at the end of the week in Blagoevgrad. After Pleven, which hosted the establishment of the first working group in the middle of last month, in Blagoevgrad the second regional body was initiated. Participation took the deputy district governor of Kiustendil, the chiefs of the District probation services of Blagoevgrad, Pernik and Kiustendil, the directors of the Directorates “Social Assistance” in Pernik and Blagoevgrad, judges from District court – Blagoevgrad, the director of the prison in Bobov dol, representatives of the nongovernmental sector etc. The aim of the working group is to support on local level the process of reintegration of released prisoners.

IGA and PSW – Netherlands deepen the cooperation

The second visit in Netherlands on project “ENTER” (Improving the position of (ex) offenders on the labor market) of Crime prevention Fund – IGA is finished. The project is realized with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the partnership of PSW “Consultations on the labor market”. The aim of the project is improving the position of (ex) offenders on the labor market through increasing their social participation and engagement for implementation of programs for social reintegration for such a people.
During February (this year) group of representatives of different institutions from the country made a visit in the headquarters of PSW in s’ Hertogenbosch, visited some prisons and met with representatives of the Dutch Ministry of justice, and during March Mr. Jas Rombout – trainer from PSW arrived in Pazardjik for meeting with the team of the project and representatives of difficult institutions. From 11th to 16th April the trainers group from Fund IGA was on 5-days visit in the cities ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven, Sittard and Heerlen. In the program of the visit was included visit of probation service, prison and Safety Center. In the office of PSW in s’Hertogenbosh the training and the discussions were carried out. In the group were the Executive director of IGA Marina Manolcheva, the Program director Dimitar Rusinov, three representatives in the project from the team of IGA and Elena Kiritsova – chairwoman of “Association for developing of the person and the human communities” – Pleven.
In the end of the visit became clear that having in mind the very good realization of the activities, deepening of the cooperation between the organizations is necessary for realization of new projects in this area.

Dutch trainer arrived at IGA within project “ENTER”

For five days on visit in Bulgaria arrived Rombout Jas – experienced trainer from PSW “Consultations on the labor market” – Netherland. The visit is in the frames of project “ENTER” of Crime Prevention Fund – IGA (Improving the position of ex-offenders of the labor market) and it is realized whit the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership whit PSW “Consultation of the working market”. A month ago representative Bulgarian group visited Netherlands and s’Hertogenbosh, where the office of the partner organization is situated. During the first day of the visit of the Dutch guest it is provided for visit in the Pazardjik prison. Rombout Jas will meet with the team of the project, with the District Governor, the director of “Labor Bureau” – Pazardjik, the director of the prison in Bobov Dol as well as representatives of other institutions from our region, who have relation to the project sphere and activities. The aim of the visit of the Dutch partner is assessment of the training needs and planning the next steps in the implementation of the project activities.

Representative group from Bulgaria – in Holland within IGA project

From visit in Holland returned the group comprising the District governor of District Pazardjik, the chief of prisons in Pazardjik and Bobov dol and the deputy chief of Pleven prison, the Executive director of Crime Prevention Fund – IGA Marina Manolcheva and the Program director Dimitar Rusinov. The visit was realized in the frames of the implementation of project “ENTER” of Fund – IGA (Improving the position of (released) prisoners on the labor market). In ‘s – Hertogenbosch the guests participated in the presentation and discussion whit the representative of the Holland Ministry of Justice for the Dutch policy of social reintegration of offenders. The Bulgarian partners visited “Veiligheidshuis” (Safety center) where a lot of organizations (including the local authority of Hertogenbosch) work together for creation of safe community, as well as three of the biggest prisons in Holland. The project is implemented with the support of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, in partnership with PSW "Consultations on the labor market".

Work meeting within Project “ENTER”

Last week Pazardjik was visited by Rene van Hooren, manager in PSW Arbeidsmarktadvies – the leading organization for one of the recently approved projects of Regional Fund – IGA. Project “ENTER” is aimed at improving the (ex) offenders position on the labor market – increasing of their social participation and the commitment for implementation of programs for social reintegration of such people. The Dutch guest had consecutive meetings with the District Governor of Pazardjik District, and Prison Chiefs of Pazardjik and Bobov Dol prisons. The meetings at the District Administration and Pazardjik Prison were attended also by Mr. Franta Weichers, coordinator for Bulgaria of MATRA – the donor program of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main purpose of this visit was acquaintance with the Bulgarian organization and elaboration of a strategy for the implementation of project activities at the early stages of the project.