The Informative days in Pazardzhik judicial region go on

Another Informative day to present the Project “Increasing the capacity of institutions and NGOs in Pazardzhik judicial region for dealing with the problem of domestic abuse and effective implementation of programmes under article 6, paragraph 7 from the Law for protection of domestic abuse – LPDA” took place in one of the halls of Regional court – Peshtera during the previous week.
The aims of the project and the achieved results were presented to the participants by Dimitur Russinov – the programme manager of Fund IGA. Lectures by Maria Cheshmedzhieva – the manager of the Crisis centre for individuals and children who are victims of domestic abuse, Valentina Gesheva – manager of CSRI of Fund IGA and Svetla Davcheva – psychologist, were included in the programme of the informative event. They presented the programmes on which they have been working and shared their experience from the work with both the victims and the perpetrators till now.
Tsvyatko Mangov – chair person of Regional court – Panagyurishte as well as other judges, the district prosecutor of Panagyurishte, representatives of the Local commission against antisocial acts of juveniles and minors, Regional police department, Municipal probation service, schools and media attended the informative day.
The chair person of Regional court- Panagyurishte expressed his satisfaction from the event and called upon the institutions to unite their efforts to deal with the problem. Other participants in the informative day also showed concern to it.
A general aim of the project is to decrease the acts of domestic abuse and the negative consequences on the victims and the society.

Training of the team of CSRI and Monitored care unit in Plovdiv

Training of the teams of the Centre for social rehabilitation and integration for support of children for development of skills for an independent life and prevention of a risky behaviour and Monitored care unit – Plovdiv was carried out on October 19th-20th. The two social services have been activities delegated by the country since June 2011 and Plovdiv municipality has entrusted their management to Crime Prevention Fund – IGA.
Within the framework of the training Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Velinov introduced to the teams a Structured instrument for an assessment of the risk (SIAR) and its application in the assessment of risks from social acts, risks in the education (dropping out of school) and behavioural deviations in the childhood. The application of SIAR will enable the specialists who work with children to take into consideration the factors which have an unfavourable effect on the child’s behaviour and to choose the forms, methods and ways for dealing with their negative influence.

An informative day in Peshtera

The second informative day for presenting the Project “Increasing the capacity of institutions and NGOs in Pazardzhik judicial region for dealing with the problem of domestic abuse and effective implementation of programmes under article 3, paragraph 7 from the Law for protection of domestic abuse (LPDA)” took place the previous week in Peshtera. Dimitur Russinov - the program manager of Fund IGA, introduced to the audience the project’s aims, the achieved results and the future proceedings. Maria Cheshmedzhieva - the manager of the Crisis centre for individuals and children who are victims of domestic abuse, presented the programme which is applied in the work with the victims of domestic abuse as well as the pilot programme for working in the schools. It has been carried out in four schools in the region – two in Peshtera, one in the city of Pazardzhik and one in the village of Patalenitsa. Representatives of Regional court – Peshtera, Crisis centre for individuals and children who are victims of domestic abuse, Regional police department - Peshtera, Local commission against antisocial acts of juveniles and minors, Peshtera municipality, “Social assistance” Directorate and representatives of the two schools in Peshtera where the programme is applied, attended the conference. Svetla Davcheva – a psychologist from the Office for consultation, guidance and support of victims of domestic abuse, presented the methodology which is applied in the work with both the victims and the perpetrators. The project has been realized at the territory of Pazardzhik judicial region and the funding source is the Ministry of justice on the grounds of article 19, paragraph 3 from the Rules for application of the Law for protection of domestic abuse. Its general aim is to decrease the acts of domestic abuse and the negative consequences on the victims and the society.
An Informative day will take place on October 19th in Panagyurishte, and also in Velingrad by the end of the month.

Domestic abuse – “Let’s do not hide the problem”

(October, 4th) An informatory day for presenting the Project “Increasing the capacity of institutions and NGOs in Pazardzhik judicial region for dealing with the problem of domestic abuse and an effective implementation of programmes under article 6, paragraph 7 from the Law for Protection of Domestic Abuse (LPDA)”, its aims, achieved results and future proceedings, was held yesterday at the National press club of BTA - Pazardzhik. This is the first forum of such a kind, planned in the project, and the others will be held in Velingrad, Peshtera and Panagyurishte – the munipal centres in the district where there are Regional courts.
The project was presented by the programme director of Fund – IGA Dimitur Russinov. After his presentation the guest of the forum – the deputy Ginche Karaminova, clarified to the audience the present state of legislation on the topic and outlined the meaning of the NGO sector in the attempts of a successful dealing with the problem. Mrs Karaminova also commented on the human aspect of the topic, which concerns mostly the women, and sympathized in their sorrow.
Maria Cheshmedzhieva – manager of the Crisis centre for individuals and children who have fallen victims of domestic abuse, and Valentina Gesheva – manager of the Centre for social rehabilitation and integration (CSRI) of Fund - IGA presented the programmes which are applied in the work with victims and perpetrators and introduced to the audience the experience which has been gained till the present moment.
Representatives of District court and Regional court – Pazardzhik, District Directorate “Police station”, Regional directorate “Social assistance”, Department “Protection for the child”, the prison, Regional Education Inspectorate, as well as representatives of the schools in which the Programme for prevention of domestic abuse was conducted, attended the Informatory day. Crime Prevention Fund – IGA has been implementing the project since the beginning of August. The project has been realized at the territory of Pazardzhik judicial region, and the funding source is the Ministry of justice, on the grounds of article 19, paragraph 3 from the Rules for application of the Law for protection of Domestic Abuse.
A general aim of the project is to reduce the number of acts of domestic abuse and the negative consequences on the victims and the society.

A pilot programme for prevention of domestic abuse started in 4 schools

A pilot programme for prevention of domestic violence for an application in the schools was developed by experts within the framework of the project for domestic abuse. The programme was sent for being discussed in the courts in the region as well as in the District Directory “Police”, the Directory “Social assistance” and the Regional inspectorate of education in Pazardzhik. The programme will be tested in 4 schools in the district – two in Peshtera, one in Pazardzhik and one in the village of Patalenitsa. It is conducted within the framework of 3 sessions each with duration of 2 school hours. Groups of 20 pupils are formed in the selected schools. A guidance to the programme is developed and it will facilitate both the lectors and the participants in it. After the end of the programme it will be discussed again with everybody who participated in its developing and application and only then will it acquire its final variant. Then it will be again applied in selected schools.

A training increases the capacity of specialists for working with the problem of domestic violence

Since the beginning of August Fund IGA has been working on the realization of a project “Increasing the capacity of the institutions and NGOs in Pazardzhik judicial region for dealing with the problem of domestic abuse and an effective implementation of programmes under article 6, paragraph 7 of the Law for protection against domestic abuse (LPDA)”. A training seminar for the specialists who apply the specific programmes and services and for representatives of the relevant institutions in LPDA took place at the seaside resort Sunny Beach from 22nd to 24th of September. The aim of this activity was to increase the experts and specialists’ knowledge with respect to the problem of “domestic abuse”, the ways of practical implementation of the measures grounded in the Law for protection against domestic abuse, the nature of social work and the psychological support for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse. The grounded topics accented on increasing the awareness to the problem, as well as formation of adequate views of the specialists and the representatives of institutions for not-tolerating the acts of domestic abuse, showing understanding and compassion on the victims’ experience. The training set entirely practical aims as well: formation of practical skills for an identification of cases of domestic abuse, rendering help by directing to juridical protection and consultation and competent services for psycho-social support, as well as skills for working under specialized programmes. More than 30 representatives of institutions and specialists in application of the programmes and services took part in the training.

A final conference under the project “ENTER - 2”

A closing conference under the project of Fund IGA “ENTER–2 – Development of the model for a social inclusion of former prisoners” took place at August 30th at 9 o’clock in the conference hall of the hotel “Seven Hills” in Plovdiv. ENTER-2 is a specially developed model which gives opportunities to individuals, who have served a term of imprisonment, for an adequate social inclusion. During the conference the products which were developed and launched within the framework of the project were presented: Programme for a training of individuals who have served a term of imprisonment, in an Active socially-working mentoring, the social service Centre for a social rehabilitation and integration for the aimed group, Methods and an Educational programme for deliverers of social services – part of the model “ENTER-2”.
The project “ENTER-2 – Development of the model for a social inclusion of former prisoners” was realized in the period of March 2010 – August 2011 with the financial support of Operative programme “Development of human resources” 2007-2013, “Social enterprising – Popularization and support of social enterprises. Pilot stage”. The leading organization is Crime Prevention Fund –IGA, and the partners are – Regional Development Fund “ROMA” – Plovdiv, Association “Centre for training and services” and “Taurus – consulting” Ltd. The main aim of the project was to render support for a successful social inclusion of individuals who have served a term of imprisonment.

Club “PE” - on a visit in Rakitovo

Despite being in a summer vacation, the young volunteers from the Club “PE” did not give up from their activity for a realization of their tasks within the framework of Component 7 of the Programme “Prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS. An aim of the component is to reduce vulnerability to HIV among the young people who are in the greatest risk (at the age 15-24), by widening the range of services and programmes directed to adolescents.
At the end of July the young volunteers visited the Correctional boarding school – Rakitovo and conducted another of their health education sessions in front of 20 alumni of the school. The main topic that the volunteers presented was “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS”, but gradually it expanded and covered the topic of drugs as well the relation of drugs to the dangerous disease. The young people from CBS were very active in the discussion of the topic and demonstrated good knowledge of its main aspects.

An exhibition “The world through my eyes”

The young people from the “Peer Education” Club (PE) in Pazardzhik who work on Component 7 of the Program “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS” carried out their next initiative. It is part of the national campaign “The young people in action” of the International Y-PEER network in Bulgaria. The young people from Club “PE” staged an exhibition of paintings and photographs under the title of “The world through my eyes” in the lobby of the town hall of Pazardzhik. Their peers from Gabrovo and Pernik have chosen the same way to express their attitude to the topic. The exhibition is staged in the lobby of the town hall of Pazardzhik from August 1st to August 10th. It contains 32 photographs and paintings on the topic.
The Club “Peer Education” has been functioning in Pazardzhik for 3 years as part of Component 7 of the Program “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS”. The aim of the component is to reduce young people’s vulnerability to HIV, especially of those who are in the greatest risk (at the age 15-24), by widening the scope of services and programs directed to adolescents.

Project “ENTER - 2” trained 30 deliverers of social services

Last Friday (July 22nd) was the end of the training of specialists who work for a social inclusion of former prisoners within the Project “ENTER 2” Development of a model for social inclusion of former prisoners. 30 representatives from the General Directorate of the Ministry of Justice “Performance of punishments”, the municipalities and the NGO working with the target group were trained. When the training came to its end they set a respective exam and received a qualification for applying the model “ENTER 2”.
The training was held by Fund for Crime Prevention – IGA and by the partner organizations “Centre for training and services” and Taurus Consulting.
The project is financed through the Operative Program “Development of Human Resources” and co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund.

An Open Day in CSRICRG in Plovdiv

An Open Day was held at the beginning of the week by the Centre for social rehabilitation and integration of children from risky groups (CSRICRG) – Plovdiv. Citizens, children and specialists who are concerned about the problems of under-age children who have committed antisocial activities and about the children with a risky behaviour had the opportunity to get acquainted with the activity of the Centre.
CSRICRG is controlled by Fund for Crime Prevention – IGA which has been working with offenders and their families for 10 years. CSRICRG is an innovative service whose aim is rehabilitation and integration of children and adolescents with an asocial behaviour and decreasing the number of anti-social acts performed by under-age children. At the Open Day the studies of the social workers were organized as parlours where the visitors received information about the activities and the educational-corrective programs. The presentations made by Fund - IGA and CSRICRG introduced to the attendants the results that were achieved, the difficulties that were encountered and the direction of development of the innovative social service. Representatives of professional secondary schools, Children's Pedagogical Room, the Regional Department “Implementation of punishments” and the Section “Protect the child” took part in the discussion and evaluated highly the professionalism of the team of CSRICRG and its efficient interaction with the institutions.

Fund IGA signed two contracts for delivery of social services in Plovdiv

Crime Prevention Fund – IGA signed contracts for delivery of two social services at the territory of Plovdiv Municipality during the last month. The first service is a “Centre for social rehabilitation and integration (CSRI)” - support for children to develop skills for a self-dependent life and prevention of risky behavior. The target group of this service includes children and adolescents who live in Homes for children deprived of parental care (HCDPC), adolescents who are leaving specialized institutions for children, children who are at risk of dropping out of school, children who have already dropped out of school, children in their school years who are beyond the scope of the educational system and the families of all mentioned above as well.
The second contract concerns the delivery of the social service in the community “Monitored care unit” for adolescents who are leaving HCDPRC. The target group of this service includes men and women of full legal age capable of working, who will be taken out from specialized institutions, transitional care units and protected care units. Also, it is possible that there will be an accepting of individuals from the community who are capable of working and are at risk, who do not have families or do not receive family support and need professional support in their transition to a self-dependent life.
Crime Prevention Fund – IGA won the competition launched by Plovdiv Municipality and it will run the two delegated activities after it successfully implemented a pilot project. This project was financed by the Operative program “Human Resources Development” co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund. Within this project these two services were made available for 8 months.
The contracts were signed for a period of 3 years.

Third stage of training the team of CSRI

The team of the CSRI for persons released from the places of imprisonment, has passed the third planned within the project phase for professional training. From 30 May to 3 June in a base near Troyan, the team members participated in a series of lectures, concerning the nature of the dynamic interview, the phases and transitions in which it passes trough, as well as the interview’s control by the professional. Along with discussions of the beneficiaries’ verbal and nonverbal behaviour, dialogue and presentation skills, work with resistance, the participants were familiarized with the types of penalties which they have endured. In particular was emphasized on the sentence "probation", its measures and implementation, as lesser-known in Bulgaria.
For ease of implementation and consolidation of knowledge, almost all of the lectures were accompanied by specific exercises and practical sessions in which, the participants worked in small groups.

IGA Representative participated in a conference by the invitation of the EC and the European Organisation for Probation

Late last week by city Antakya - Turkey has returned Andrey Momchilov - Manager International Projects in the Fund - IGA, who took part in a conference on "Programs for offenders in the prison system and probation.” Host of the Forum was the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Turkey, an invitation was sent to Fund - IGA by the European Commission and the European Organisation for Probation.
The representative of the Fund - IGA made a presentation titled "West - East - the transfer of programs for offenders with alcohol or drug dependence." The participation in the prestigious forum came as a result of strong international performance of the organization within Project “STARR - Strengthening the international approach to reducing recidivism.” Within the project, Fund - IGA is a partner of Britain, France, Hungary and the European Organisation for Probation.

Social service providers are trained in working with model ENTER-2

Earlier this week in hotel "Elbrus - Velingrad started training for the implementation of model ENTER-2. They are realized within 4 - module training and will continue until July. The trainings are under the Fund – IGA’s project “ENTER-2. Development of models for social inclusion of former prisoners,” which is funded under the Operational Programme "Human Resources ", funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund. In the seminars are trained specialists from the General Directorate "Execution of Punishments” of the Ministry of Justice, municipalities and NGOs working with the target group. After completing the training, participants will take an exam. On successful completion they will gain a qualification as part of the profession of an economist, majoring in economics and management, and in the profession social work and counseling, part of profession - social work associate; under the requirements of National Agency with a focus - work with model ENTER-2.

A three-year project of Fund - IGA ended with a national conference

(12 May). Yesterday at the conference hall of Grand Hotel Hebar, Pazardjik, was held the final conference of project “Network for the prevention of violence against children. Integrated approach to reducing sexual violence and exploitation of children.” The project length was three years and was funded by the Swiss foundation "OAK". Leading organization is fund for crime prevention - IGA.
The event was attended by around 70 representatives of institutions and organizations from Sofia, Plovdiv, Ruse, Pleven, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Pazardzhik, Peshtera and Rakitovo with respect to the theme of the conference - "Sexual offenses against children."
The participants were welcomed by Daniela Masheva (Deputy Minister of Justice), Darinka Yankova (Deputy Executive Director of ASA), which read a congratulatory letter from Totyu Mladenov (Minister of Labour and Social Policy) and Dafinka Semerdjieva (Deputy Governor of Pazardjik Municipality) The project’s main objective is to reduce the number of children subject to sexual violence and / or service through the implementation of an integrated approach to working with children - victims and perpetrators of sexual violence. During the conference, was presented the first ever study of sex offenders against children, as well as programs and tools to influence this target group.
Two cultural events accompanied the forum - an exhibition and theatrical performance. The exhibition "The Stolen Sun" was opened in the foyer of the Town Hall of Pazardjik. It presents posters of children's drawings, sculpture and other media of children affected by violence. The exhibition has already been shown at City Art Gallery - Plovdiv at the beginning of this year. From 18.30 hours, the Chamber Hall of Drama Theatre "K. Velichkov "- Pazardzhik, was presented the play “Equation” of the Drama Theatre “Sava Ognyanov,” Ruse. It is work of the Ruse’s playwright Orlin Dyakov. The play is part of a national project of the theatre for prevention of the violence among the children in school. Besides the conference participants, the play was visited by students of the Vocational School of Economics and Management in Pazardzhik, who also participated in the project’s realization.

CSRI team and representatives of institutions in a joint training

From 27th to April 29th, hotel "Elbrus,” Velingrad, held the three-day training seminar. The Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration (CSRI) to persons exempt from the places of imprisonment, together with representatives of institutions, were trained under the project "Piloting an innovative social service center for social rehabilitation and integration of persons released from places of imprisonment." The aim of the training was to exchange information between CSRI and partner institutions and to discuss possible improvements of the mechanisms for information sharing, targeting cases and specific issues arising in the provision, development and enrichment of the service.
The seminar was attended by representatives of the Prisons in Pazardzhik and Bobov Dol, the district police stations in Pazardjik and Septemvri, the Directorate of “Social Assistance” and the Department of “Labor Bureau” - Pazardjik, the Prosecutors in Pazardjik and others.
The project of Fund - IGA is funded under the Operational Programme "Human Resources", funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund. The project started early this year and the provision of social services - from the beginning of April .

First team training of CSRI

The team of the “Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration of Persons Exempt from the Places of Imprisonment” passed its first training. The project providing a total of four courses, two of which are for the team and others two will be held jointly with representatives of institutions that will partner with team CSRI in the provision of social services.
The training was a 5-day, exported and focuses on basic knowledge, techniques and skills needed for successful evaluation, planning and conducting cases in the social service. Three qualified lecturers supported by the facilitator, covered a wide range of topics: Bio-psychosocial model for understanding and evaluating human behavior, Approaches and models in carrying out psychological assessment of personality; Assessment of motivational field and values of the individual; Description and documentation of individual psychological profile; Types offenses and criminal liability; Systematic approach to work with offenders and their families; Work with prisoners and persons served sentence of imprisonment; Social work with individuals served sentence of imprisonment - case management, documentation, etc. The lectures were accompanied by practical exercises and role plays, which placed the team in a particular situation and thus have made a direct connection between theory and practice.
Activities are implemented under the project "Piloting an innovative social service Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration of Persons Exempt from the Places of Imprisonment,” with the financial support of the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development,” funded by the European Union through the “European Social Fund.”

The presentation of model ENTER-2 has completed

On April 5, at the Hall of Municipal Administration - Blagoevgrad was held the last information day presenting model ENTER-2. The model designed under Fund – IGA’s project “ENTER-2. Development of the model for social inclusion of former prisoners.” Beside the model, within the information day were presented and a national survey on the activities and the status of the social enterprises in Bulgaria, successful models of social enterprises in EU countries, methods and programs for social inclusion of former prisoners and others.
The information days in the country - in Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Vratsa, Pazardjik, Pleven and Plovdiv - were visited by representatives of institutions and NGOs that are relevant to the work of persons exempt from the places of detention.
In the project upcoming calendar is envisaged training of selected during the information days professionals for working with model ENTER-2. If they successfully pass the exam at the end of the training, participants will receive a certificate for part of a profession under the National Agency. Project “ENTER - 2. Development of the model for social inclusion of former prisoners” is funded under the Operational Programme "Human Resources Development" 2007-2013, "Social entrepreneurship - promoting and supporting social enterprises. Pilot phase.

А social service for persons exempt from the places of imprisonment launched

From today “Crime Prevention Fund – IGA” began providing the social service “Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration of Persons Exempt from the Places of Detention.” The activity is implemented under the project "Piloting an Innovative Social Service Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration of Persons Exempt from the Places of Imprisonment,” with the financial support of the Operational Programme “Human Resources,” funded by the European Union through the “European Social Fund.” The project started early this year and will last 12 months. The team which will provide the service is already formed. In March, after an interview, were selected governor, social pedagogue, two psychologists and four social workers. In the team will work and a lawyer. A special office has been repaired and equipped for delivering the service.
By the end of the year, the professionals will assist the reintegration of around 200 persons exempt from the places of imprisonment in Pazardzhik region. This is an innovative non-resident social service of the generally regulated within the social legislation “Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration.” One of the project objectives is the creation of opportunities for improving quality of life of persons exempt from the places of imprisonment, through targeted development and piloting of integrated social services for this target group.

Health education session in September

Yesterday in Septemvri was held health-educational session with students from the municipality. A team volunteers from club “Peer Education” presented information on HIV / AIDS. The young trainers addressed in detail the questions: What is HIV? What is AIDS? How are people infected with HIV? How the disease occurs? etc. The presentation was focused on HIV testing and prevention from infection. The volunteers from the “Peer Education” did a demonstration to put condom.
Despite the initial tension and some discomfort among young people by September, between educators and students, was received very good feedback and the session ended with the satisfaction of both parties.
Club “Peer Education” is implemented under Component 7 of the Programme "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS at the Ministry of Health.

The presentation of model ENTER-2 continues

The third information day presenting the model ENTER-2 was held in the conference room of the District Administration - Burgas. The model is created by Fund – IGA’s project “ENTER - 2. Development of models for social inclusion of former prisoners.”
Presentation was attended by representatives of the Appellate Prosecutor's Office - Burgas District Police Directorate, Regional Service of Execution of Sentences, Prison, Burgas Municipality, NGOs and others.
Furthermore, the model "ENTER" was presented and the national survey on the status and the activities of social enterprises in Bulgaria, successful models of social enterprises in EU countries, methods and programs for social inclusion of former prisoners and others.
Information days to be held are in Pleven, Vratsa and Blagoevgrad. Project “ENTER - 2. Development of models for social inclusion of former prisoners” is funded under the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development” 2007-2013, “Social entrepreneurship - promoting and supporting social enterprises. Pilot phase.”

Information Day presents a model for social inclusion

Today, the conference hall of the "Imperial" - Pazardzhik was held Information Day to promote model ENTER-2, established under the project of Fund - IGA “ENTER - 2. Development of models for social inclusion of former prisoners.”
Specially developed model, gives a chance for adequate social inclusion to persons who have served the custodial sentence. The model includes social service Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration (CSRI) and active social work mentoring (ASWM). For additional funding of CSRI, the model suggests creation of a social enterprise providing professional and educational training programs and consulting for social service providers and other customers.
By the end of this month, similar information days will be held in Plovdiv, Bourgas, Vratsa, Pleven and Blagoevgrad.
Project “ENTER - 2. Development of models for social inclusion of former prisoners” is funded under the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development” 2007-2013, "Social entrepreneurship - promoting and supporting social enterprises. Pilot phase.”

„The Stolen Sun”

On Friday, 25 February, from 16.30 hours in the City Art Gallery - Plovdiv was opened exhibition "The Stolen Sun”. The exhibition presents photographs of works of children victims of violence. The children have created their works in dealing with a group of artistic activities within a project sponsored by "OAK" - Switzerland. The project "Network for the prevention of violence against children. Integrated approach to reducing sexual violence and exploitation of children” is being implemented by the Fund for Crime Prevention - IGA from 2009
The exhibition displays 36 works of art made of 16 children aged 6 to 16 years. The actual work with the children lasted six months. The aim of the exhibition is to focus public attention and to sharpen public awareness and alertness to the problem. In April, the exhibition will be presented in Pazardzhik as part of the final project conference.

Volunteers Club

On 14 February the Crime Prevention Fund - IGA took actively part in the National AIDS Campaign with its activities under Components 4 and 7 of the "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS” under the Ministry of Health. At 14.00 in "Ustrem" hall of the “Youth Center” the volunteers from Club "Peer Education" in Component 7 made a presentation entitled: "HIV / AIDS - dissemination, prevention, treatment.” In the afternoon and evening hours on city streets and cafes they gave out health educational materials. On 15 February the presentation was presented at the community center “Razvitie”, town of Peshtera and the same day the young people visited the “Crisis Center for Children and Persons Affected by Violence.” The specialists, working under Component 4 "Reducing vulnerability to HIV of injecting drug users by increasing the scope of the group with a complete package preventive interventions" have held and information meeting in the Roma neighborhood in Peshtera, which presented the topic and gave health information materials.

Fund - IGA, Ministry of Justice - hosted a seminar on international project

The fourth thematic workshop on Project "STARR - Strengthening the international approach to reducing recidivism," was held from 2 to 4 February at the Hilton Hotel - Sofia. The project of the Ministry of Justice of Great Britain is being realized within the period 2009 - 2011 on the territory of the entire European Union and the candidate countries. Partners are the Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria, Fund for Crime Prevention - IGA, the European Organisation for Probation, Ministry of Justice of France and the Ministry of Justice of Hungary. The research is guided by the University of Cambridge - UK. The project should answer the question "What works to reduce recidivism in the European Union?" and will focus on three thematic areas: Young offenders between 16 and 25; Domestic violence; Abuse alcohol and drugs. Topic of the fourth workshop was "Working with offenders with alcohol or drug dependence." As speakers were representatives of the University of Cambridge, experts from Britain, Hungary, Bulgaria and others. The results of studies conducted within the European Union, will be presented at final conference in May in Sofia, where hosts will again be Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria and Fund - IGA.