The application for this project was submitted at the end of October 2020, aiming to:
- To help people from marginalized categories to develop their creativity, talent and artistic skills
- Through art to encourage and help their social inclusion in all spheres of social life, and,
- To promote social entrepreneurship and sustainable reintegration of people with fewer opportunities
March 2021, we received confirmation that (with a reduced budget and shortened project duration) our project application might be approved. At the end of April, the representatives of the local National Agency invited us to a working meeting (together with representatives of other CSOs with approved projects from the Erasmus + program), where they presented informations relevant to the upcoming project implementation.
On June 17, 2021, the first transnational meeting with the project partners was held, which officially marked the beginning of the implementation of the HOPE (Help to People Empowerment) project. Due to the reduced budgets, this meeting was conducted in on-line format, but it did not affect the content and quality of the meeting at all. From conclusions made during this meeting, we point out:
- Defining the project visual identity/logo
- Adoption of the dissemination strategy related to project progress and achievements
- Appointment of a dissemination coordinator
- Appointment of a coordinator for internal evaluation of project activities
According to the results of the filled evaluation forms, this meeting was assessed by its participants as successful and productive, with identified and pointed segments that we will need to improve in the further implementation of the project.
The first coordination meeting between the partner organizations working on the implementation of the HOPE (Help to People Empowerment) project was held in July. At this meeting we were honored with the presence of a representative of the National Agency, Ms. Ljupka Kjurkchieva, who welcomed the participants, pointed out segments that we should pay special attention to and wished us successful implementation of project activities. In the rest of the meeting we talked about:
- Budgets allocated to each organization separately and ways for their optimal use
- The characteristics of the creative educators that would be engaged on project activities
- Other topics of interest
After weeks of consideration, debates and market research, we decided which product will be developed within our project activities. We agreed it would be vertical stone garden fountains; Reasons that justify this decision completely correspond to the goals of the HOPE (Help to People Empowerment) project. Work on this product would contribute development of artistic talents and skills, but also will encourage people involved in this program to entrepreneurial activities. We belive that overall process will contribute their sustainable reintegration.
During August, we also started the procedure for obtaining a Project Registration Certificate from the local Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA). We received the Certificate in September 2021, and after submitting this Certificate to the Public Revenue Office (PRO), we received official Decision for registration of a taxpayer, which exempts us from paying VAT for the costs incurred during the implementation of the project.
After completing necessary preparations, on September 16th and 17th in Athens we attended first Transnational meeting held between the teams of the partner organizations involved in the implementation of the HOPE (Help to People Empowerment) project. Two great days, filled with exchange of experiences, approaches and methods for practical application of knowledge acquired through non-formal education, and, improving the status and conditions of people with fewer opportunities.
Due to conditions related to COVID -19, we had to make small change in our itinerary, so, our creative educator Aleksandar Naumoski attended the meetings through the Skype platform.
Trip to Athens we also used to visit several garden fountain manufacturers. Gained impressions and experiences would be of great use in our future project activities.
At the end of the meetings in Greece, all participants filled out an evaluation form. The feedback received reflects satisfaction with the meetings, topics and discussions - but also comments / suggestions for future improvement of such meetings.
We started making molds for our vertical garden fountains. For this purpose, we asked for help uncle Dragi, who is an experienced locksmith/welder. He is one of the oldest members of our Organization and a true example for overcoming 'ageism'. As per our request and instructions, he prepared a technical drawing of the molds we need to make. After procuring the necessary materials, we started making the mold for the top plate for the garden fountain, followed by molds for the fountain ‘sink’. After we filled the molds with concrete and it dried, we assembled our garden fountain.
We believe such prepared basement for a garden fountains will be a good challenge for people with fewer opportunities that will be part of HOPE project, to upgrade and show their artistic potential!
On recommendation of our creative educators, we started visiting local warehouses for building materials and stone, in order to choose suitable materials that we would use to decorate our fountains. Aside of really large selection of decorative stone that is available, we were also surprised by the quantities of material that is considered as waste (?!), and it could be easily used for purposes and needs of the HOPE project
Invited by our friends from the Observatory for Social Entrepreneurship (https://www.facebook.com/SEObservatory), a representative from our Organization was one of the speakers at an event organized as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, discussing on:
- Measuring the development of social entrepreneurship;
- Tools for measuring the impact of social enterprises;
- Measuring the social impact of the organization.
More than 40 listeners were registered for this event, which was a great opportunity to promote our current activities within the HOPE project. You can watch video of this event at: https://www.facebook.com/GEWNMacedonia/videos/377286100748796
Anticipating our first LTT (learning, teaching, training) activity for friends with fewer opportunities, with our creative educator professor Toni Vasic we chose the stone that we will use in these activities. After the purchase, the stone was classified according to its color, length and shape. We cleaned the previously made concrete foundations and coated them with a suitable chemical base. We exchanged opinions on motifs we’ll work on during the training; we easily agreed to work on fountains on which we will implement elements related to our tradition and culture, but also to have fountains with motifs related to the HOPE project (for which we prepared appropriate templates.
We involved in the preparatory activities Saše Spasovski, who is in an advanced stage of his own reintegration. Aside the fact that he’ll surely upgrade his own artistic talent, Saše will certainly contribute to the implementation of this project, and will assist and support other participants in this training.
On November 19 2021, in Skopje was opened first center for support of social entrepreneurship. Over 70 Civil Society Organisations that have or plan to have social-entrepreneurial activity were invited to the opening.
This event was a great opportunity to present the HOPE project to more than 250 visitors to this event. Aside of many colleagues, friends and supporters of our Association, our stand was visited by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Ms. Jagoda Shahpaska, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Economic Affairs Mr. Fatmir Butiqi, and, the Head of the EU Cooperation Department The delegation in North Macedonia, Mr. Steffen Hudolin.
Creative educator with whom we will conduct the practical part of the educational activities is Professor Toni Vasić, Head of the Department of Architecture and Design at the American College in Skopje (https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-vasic-67a5541b4/, https://www.facebook.com/toni.vasic.9https://www.facebook.com/toni.vasic.9). Before the start of our first workshop, with our creative educator we checked the location where the practical part of the educational activities will be conducted, and the previously prepared basics for fountains. Together we chose the decorative stone that we will apply to our taps. We easily agreed, on some of the fountains that we will work on, aside decorative stone also to apply motifs that reflect the tradition and culture of our country.
Before beginning of our workshop, Executive Director of IN VIVO, Dejan Stojanović greeted training participants, presenting the project goals and agenda of planned activities. During his speech, he invited two of workshop participants in the workshop, Saše and Slavčo, to share their previous experiences with our Organization. The President of PRO LOCAL - Bitola, Emilija Gjeroska, with whom we cooperate on this project, presented to the participants her Organization, but also the experiences and expertise of our partner organizations from Greece and Italy.
First educator that addressed workshop participants was Dragana Lazarevska, Coordinator of the Shelter for Homeless located in Momin Potok - Skopje, encouraging them to maximize their personal efforts for reintegration. Next educator was Maja Petrova from the National Agency for Support of Entrepreneurship, presenting to the participants possibilities that are currently available for further education and professional integration. Our special educator/motivator was Barbara Sadowska from the Barka Foundation - Poland. With her presentation she showed a several examples of people in need who, using their own talents, maintaining their own self-motivation and using opportunities for support - successful reached level of complete and sustainable reintegration in all spheres of social life. The professional but friendly approach of our speakers to the participants encouraged most of them to actively participate and open discussion with the educators.
We started the second day with a presentation by educator Stefan Chichevaliev from the Social Entrepreneurship Observatory, who stressed the importance of diversity of products/services of portfolio we earn from, especially in pandemic era. The second educator was one of our members and founders, Boban Stojanović, who presented to the participants the product we will work on during this workshop, and the reasoning behind such choice. The third educator was the representative of the Macedonian Association for Occupational Safety and Health (MZZPR), Slavica Jankova, who explained to the participants of the training several important segments in the field of safety and protection at work. Before we start with the practical trainings, our creative educator was introduced himself to the participants, presenting the tools that we will work with in the coming days, but also the protective equipment that we will use at work.
For the introductory part from the practical classes we used the "plateau" in front of the Center for Social Enterprises. The purpose of this part of the training was to show how were prepared bases for our fountains. We started with lining with crepe paper and nylon molds that we use for the production of the bases for the fountains, so the concrete would not stick to the mold. We took measures and we "tailored" the reinforcement mesh with which we will strengthen the base of fountain base. We prepared the cement mixture with which we will fill the molds, we applied it to half of the mold, and we distributed it accordingly. We placed the prepared reinforcement mesh on the cement. We provided space for water inflow by applying a metal pipe to the therefore provided position, and we filled the rest of the mold with cement.
We found a suitable location for conducting practical classes in Skopje suburb (Skopska Crna Gora, Goliovo settlement), so we provided adequate transportation for the workshop participants. Upon arrival at the location, the creative educator introduced the participants to the activity plan planned for that day and, reminded them on the measures for personal safety and protection at work. Some of the participants were delegated to select the earlier purchased stone according to type, color, size and shape of the pieces. Other participants started working on the preparation (cleaning) of the concrete foundations for the application of glue and stone. After the completion of the cleaning, a suitable chemical substance was applied on the concrete bases, which would enable easier "bonding" of the adhesive. Encouraged to think about the motifs they would work on, (some of) the participants presented their ideas to the creative educator ... On one of the suggestions (which was easily applicable for beginners), we started working immediately. Once we have defined the final appearance of the proposed motif, appointed was team that will work on its design and application of one of the fountain bases. During that time, the other participants defined the second motif that we’’ll apply on our taps. And we started working ... We are measuring, cutting, sewing, gluing ... After almost two hours, results of our work are visible on first, but also our second fountain.
Considering potentials of personalized product, we decided to try applying logo that is inspired by the HOPE project, adopting new - mosaic technique ... The work of the new fountain goes surprisingly easily and (relatively) quickly. In less than two hours, the new fountain is almost finished... The fountain we started yesterday is also almost finished ... Wanting to determine the knowledge from yesterday, one of the teams worked on a similar ‘pattern’ as the previous day but with different colors of stones .... As a result of this training, by the end of the week we will have five fully completed fountains in two different techniques. BUT, WE DO HAVE OUR FIRST FULLY READY-MADE PRODUCTS !!
Last week was held the first coordination meeting in 2022 with our partners from Bitola, Italy and Greece, with whom we are implementing project HOPE - Help To People Empowerment. During the meeting, emphasized were conclusions and assessments of educational activities conducted at the end of last year, as well as, work plans for the first quarter of this year.
In order to formalize the educational component of our model for sustainable reintegration of people in need, we signed a Memorandum for Cooperation with the state Center for Adult Education. After signing of this document, we will continue mutual cooperation trough development and verification of programs for adequate non-formal education adapted to needs of local labor market, organization and participation in conferences and educational workshops, exchange of experiences and literature and other activities of common interest.
In order to support the proper implementation of the National Strategy for Social Enterprises, we were invited to introduce our organization in front of Club of Women Parliamentarians at the Assembly of Republic of North Macedonia. This event was organized by the Center for Support of Social Enterprises and the National Institute for Democracy (NDI North Macedonia), and was an excellent opportunity to promote the current activities of our Association.
In line with the planned time frame for the implementation of the activities of the HOPE project, our partner Challedu from Athens - Greece conducted the first LTT (Learning, Training, Teaching) workshop. This activity involved people with mental problems, and the purpose of the workshop was to improve their manual and artistic skills. In the first part of the workshop, the participants were introduced to the goals of the HOPE (Help to People Empowerment) project, as well as the techniques that will be adopted.
In the practical part of the workshop, participants learned how to make handmade gifts using different types of fabrics and materials, and each of these souvenirs should pass a message that will improve the world around us. During the workshop were used old CDs, pointing the importance of applying the RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach to our everyday lives.
At the end of the workshop, the participants selflessly shared their satisfaction and joy for having opportunity to take an active participation in such activity. They will be looking forward to the first occasion to show the wider audience items they made by themselves, sharing the messages that these decorations carry with them.
During last week, we participated on VI. Regional EPALE conference, which was held in Terme Tuhelj, Croatia. On this event participated following countries from our neighborhood: Montenegro - EPALE Montenegro , Serbia - Fondacija Tempus , Slovenia - EPALE Slovenija, North Macedonia - EPALE North Macedonia, as well as Bosnia and Hercegovina - EPALE Bosna i Hercegovina. During the conference were exchanged good practices and experiences for surpassing challenges related to adult learning and theirs successful integration in society #EPALE #VIRegionalnaKonferencija #AdultLearninginEurope
Ending last week, in Turin (Italy) was held the second official coordination meeting with partnering organizations we’re implementing the HOPE (Hope to People Empowerment) project. During this two-day meeting, we made detailed analysis of all project activities exsecuted so far, as well as a plan for the activities that we need to implement by October, 2022.
During the conference held on 13.06.2022 in the CityHall center in Skopje, we had the opportunity to present our organization and current activities. The event was attended by more than seventy participants and guests, including representatives of the diplomatic cor, representatives of ministries and local governments, as well as numerous representatives of the business community and civil society.
During the last week, within project HOPE - Help to People Empowerment we had an excellent LTT (Learning, Training, Teaching) workshop, which was organized by our project partner, Organization PRO LOCAL from Bitola. The activity was conducted in Villa Dihovo - Bitola, under the mentorship of the artist Sandra Kotevska. As part of this activity, 12 people with fewer opportunities from the Pelagonija, Skopje and Polog region learned how to make a mosaic, implementing the acquired knowledge on making garden tables. The purpose of this activity is to enable and accelerate the social/professional inclusion of people with fewer opportunities, by upgrade of their artistic talents and skills.
During the activities, the participants were visited and greeted by representatives of civil society organizations, representatives of real sector companies, representatives of the regional Chamber of Commerce, Regional Center for Support of Social Entrepreneurship, as well as the Mayor of Bitola. They all expressed theirs satisfaction with the results achieved with project activities, but also theirs readiness for future support of project participants up to theirs complete (re)integration. The project is implemented with financial support from the ERASMUS + program through the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility by the Associations: In Vivo - Skopje, Pro Local - Bitola, Challedu - Athens, Greece and Liberitutti - Turin, Italy.
One of most important activities during June was our participation on event (HR-Cafe & Networking) organized by the Macedonian Association for Human Resources, entitled as "Social Entrepreneurship - New opportunity for practicing corporate social responsibility". This was an excellent occasion to present actual activities of our Association, and fantastic opportunity to exchange opinions and experiences with professionals who, aside HR activities, are dedicated to the appropriate application of CSR activities. Sincere thanks to President of the Association, Mr. Darko Petrovski, and the Executive Director of the Association, Mr. Gjoko Vukanovski, for the excellent cooperation between our organizations.
With the partner organizations with which we implement the HOPE project (HOPE - Help to People Empowerment), we held the first coordination meeting after summer holidays. The focus of our meeting was on LTT activities (LTT – Learning, Teaching, Training), which should be implemented in Greece and Italy during September 2022. This project is financially supported by the Erasmus + program, through the domestic National Agency.
Last weekend we participated Civil Society Organizations and Social Enterprises Fair, which was held on the plateau in front of the Center for the Support of Social Enterprises in Skopje "The Day of Civil Organizations and Social Enterprises" was officially opened by HE Veronique Ulman - the Ambassador of Switzerland in the country; HE David Geer - the EU Ambassador in the RNM, and Fatmir Bitici, the Deputy Prime Minister. About 110 civil society organizations from from the whole country participated in the event. Our stand was represented by two participants in the "HOPE - Help to People empowerment" project, which we are implementing with financial support from the Erasmus + program and our National Agency, and which we are implementing in cooperation with our partners Pro Local from Bitola. During the fair, we presented some of the products which we produced during the implementation of the LTT (Learning, Teaching, Training) activities provided by the HOPE project. Activities for education, training and practice of acquired knowledge in this project are intended for people with fewer opportunities, and some of them were included in this program. More than 250 visitors visited our stand. It was a special honor for us to be visited by the Mayor of Skopje Centar Municipality, Mr. Goran Gerasimovski (Горан Герасимовски), presenting him activities and projects we are working on. Municipality Centar (Општина Центар - Скопје) is an excellent example of a municipality that understands and develops cooperation between local governments and social enterprises, as a key activity for the implementation of projects important for citizens. Apart from the activities at the stand, we are grateful to the team of the Center for Support of Social Enterprises (Поддршка на социјалните претпријатија - “Не оставај никој зад себе”) for the opportunity to present our activities and products to potential donors.
At the invitation of our friends from ARNO, last week we had the opportunity to present our activities in front of many supporters and practitioners of social entrepreneurship from our country and Serbia. The meeting was organized within the project “Social Enterprises for Economic Development and Social Inclusion”, which is financed by the European Union through the IPA II program for cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and North Macedonia. A wonderful event, professional organization and a great opportunity to make new friends and potential partnerships!!!
Dear friends and supporters, With great pleasure we are announcing final conference of the project 'HOPE - Help to People Empowerment', on which we will share the "lessons" learned and the experiences we have gained trough this activity. The goal of the project was to encourage people with fewer opportunities towards sustainable reintegration by using their own creative potential, and its implementation is financially supported by the Erasmus + program, through our National Agency. We would be honored if you could join us at the event, which will be held on October 27 (Thursday), from 12:00 to 14:00. The event will take place in online format, and here link through which you can access it: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83933041703... Please register your attendance at: https://forms.gle/VnD8rJFRXX5Rboe67 See you!!!
Last week the final conference of the project 'HOPE - Help to People Empowerment' was held. The goal of this project was to encourage people with fewer opportunities towards sustainable reintegration using their own creative potential. Project implementation is financially supported by the Erasmus + program, through the local National Agency. On this conference, active participation took all partner organizations which worked on project implementation, sharing the ‘lessons’ we learned and the experiences we gained with this activity in last 17 months. Apart from the representatives of the partner organizations, we were honored with the presence of over 30 friends and supporters of this project. Behind us is remaining professionally conducted project activity, and we believe that future is bringing us new collaborations with sincere friends!!
Invited by our National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility, in Strumica we attended the two-day international conference "Inclusion and Diversity", where we had opportunity to present part of activities of our Association. In addition to the presentations on good practices, performed were group exercises aiming for joint actions and future cooperation between the invited organizations. Inclusion and diversity mean respect and appreciating of differences. Let's commit for more inclusive society, building better tomorrow for everyone.
We are proud to announce that in new mandate of Committee for Public Benefit Organizations, our Association will have one representative. Priority for our delegate would be promotion of this prestigious status, but also contribution toward balancing the rights and obligations of organizations with this status.
Решение КОСЈИ 2015-1228