Previous Projects

“Violence and its Victims”
Duration: January 1996 - January 1997
Location: Sofia / Bulgaria
Source of funding: PHARE: Democracy Program-1995
Objectives:
• Dissemination of psychological knowledge about the mechanisms via which violence occurs
• Training volunteers and policewomen to work with victims
• Publishing a brochure about the psychological consequences of violence.

“A New Possibility”
Duration: January 1996 - January 1997
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source of funding: Civil Society Development Foundation, PHARE: Democracy Program-1995
Objectives:
• Institutional development of Animus Association: setting up the organization’s infrastructure; establishing a network among governmental and non-governmental organisations on a national and international level; establishing a Board of Trustees

“Service for Support of Raped Women”
Duration: February 1996 - February 1997
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: MAMACASH
Objectives: Establishment of service for raped women; initial development of programs for crisis intervention and counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder; referral to clinical, social and legal specialists.

“Violence and its Victims- 2nd stage”
Duration: February 1997 - February 1998
Location: Bulgaria / Sofia
Source of funding: PHARE/TACIS Democracy Program
Objectives:
• Further development of the specialised team working in support to women, survivors of violence.
• Encouraging changes in the public attitudes towards violence against women.
• Further development of the national network among governmental and non-governmental organisations relevant to the issue.
• Further development of the international network among women’s organisations. Establishment of stable partnerships and co-operation among related women’s organisations.” The Different Gender”
Duration: March 1997 - May 1997

Location: Sofia / Bulgaria
Source of funding: Civil Society Development Foundation, Bulgaria
Objectives:
• To organize reading seminars with representatives from different professional areas presenting and discussing gender issues.

Good Practices for Women in Mental Health
Duration: February 1997 - March 1998
Location: Bulgaria/ Sofia, Plovdiv. Bourgas, Varna, Rousse, Vidin, Kazanlak, Kjustendil Source: ISC- Democracy Network Program
Objectives:
• Research on the social services as regards to their work with women
• Identifying the criteria for good practice in the social work with women in a Bulgarian environment
• Issuing a reference book on the social services meeting the criteria for good practice in the work with women.

Bulgarian Project against Trafficking in Women
Duration: March 1997 - March 1998
Location: Bulgaria/ Sofia
Source: NOVIB, the Netherlands
Objectives:
The project is a preparatory a step toward the development of a broad program for support to women survivors of trafficking and forced prostitution. The project aims at:
• Gathering information on the problem of trafficking in women in Bulgaria
• Developing network of partners from relevant institutions and organisations willing to combat trafficking in women and to support victims
• Developing international network (and joining the existing ones) of organizations who provide help and support to women, victims of trafficking in women.
• Training the staff of Animus Association to deal with the specific problems of the survivors.

“Training of Trainers for Help-line Operation”
Duration: May 1997 - October 1997
Location: UK / Bristol
Source of funding: Charity Know How, UK
Partner organization:
Objectives:
• Training of Animus Association team on all aspects of organising, starting and managing the first Bulgarian help-line for women victims of violence.
• Follow-up visit to Sofia of British Help-line expert for the purpose of observing, supervising and evaluating the work of the Bulgarian Help-line for support to women victims of violence
“A Program For Women Victims of Domestic Violence- Stage I”
Duration: April - July 1997
Location: Bulgaria/ Sofia
Source of funding: STAPLES TRUST, UK
Objectives:
To develop a special program for help and support to women victims of domestic violence in Bulgaria which includes:
• Help-line for women victims of violence
• Psycho-therapeutic and counselling program for women victims of domestic violence.
• Social Club program for women victims of domestic violence.

Program for Support to Women Victims of Domestic Violence- Stage II
Duration: August 1997 - August 1998
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: USIS
Objectives:
The aim of the project is to develop further the special broad program for help and support of women victims of domestic violence in Bulgaria. The goals of the project are:
• To develop and to operate the Help-line for women victims of violence and to expand it to a 24-hours Help-line.
• To extend the counselling program for women victims of violence
• To continue and improve the Social club program for rehabilitation.

Advocacy for women victims of violence
Duration: December 1998 - May 1999
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: Open Society
Objectives:
The project aims at:
• Identifying the mechanisms and procedures of approaching the related institutions on the problem of trafficking in women.
• Recognising capacity in the Bulgarian legislation for defense and support to the victims of violence

Transnational Training Seminar on Violence against Women
Duration: December 1998 - May 1999
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: Open Society
Objectives:
• Providing a field visit and training for women’s NGOs from NIS willing to develop programs and services for support to women victims of violence. Transferring the working model of the Center for Rehabilitation of Women Victims of Violence of Animus Association.
National Training Project on Trafficking in Women
Duration: December 1998 - June 1999
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: Open Society
Objectives:
The project aims at laying the foundations of a network of Bulgarian women’s NGOs from the countryside which will work on the issue of trafficking in women. The idea is these NGOs to be trained to start developing activities on a local scale in two directions:
• Prevention of trafficking in women among various groups at risk
• Help and support to women survivors of trafficking

The project foresees that organisations to be selected from the regions at highest risk in Bulgaria. The training will be run by Animus Association on behalf of the Bulgarian La Strada Program (Animus/La Strada) and will be based on its whole experience in the work on the issue of trafficking in Bulgaria.
Results:
• Representatives of 30 women’s organisations were trained on launching and developing activities on prevention of trafficking in women and support to victims on a local level. Thus the grounds were laid of a national network of women’s NGOs against trafficking in women.

Annual Report on the actvities of Animus Association Foundation for 1998
Duration: December 1998 - June 1999
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: Open Society
Objectives:
• The aim of the project is to issue an Annual Report of AAF activities in 1998 (500 copies of 60 pages) as well as the incomes and expenses on projects. It will present and popularise the organisation before the general public as well as Bulgarian and foreign GOs and NGOs. It will be translated into English, too, and will be published in Bulgarian and in English.

Introducing Issues Involving Violence Against Women In School
Duration: April 2000 - January 2001
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: USIS Sofia
Objectives:
The project is implemented by “Who is Margaret?” Women’s Social Club at Animus Association. It aims at introducing the issue of violence against women in 3 schools in Sofia by:
• Providing lectures to the students
• Issuing and disseminating 3 information leaflets on domestic and sexual violence and trafficking in women.

Acceleration of the Opening of the Crisis Unit and Development of a care programme for Women Victims of Domestic Violence
Duration: June 2000 - June 2001
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: NOVIB
Objectives:
• Intensive development of the Crisis Unit in order to make it accessible to women 24 hours per day.
• Development of a comprehensive care programme for women victims of domestic violence including a rehabilitation programme which will complement the other programs of the Center and which will serve more than 2000 women per annum.
Bulgarian Project against Trafficking in Women:
Crisis Counselling and Social Rehabilitation Project

Duration: June 1998 - June 2001
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: Novib/MATRA, the Netherlands
Objectives: The project is an extension of AA’s “Bulgarian Project Against Trafficking in Women” (March 1997- March 1998). The project activities complete those of La Strada Program in which Animus Association is a partner on the part of Bulgaria.
It comprises: Establishment of a comprehensive programme for rehabilitation and social integration of women victims of trafficking.
Results: Results are presented in the Annual Reports for 1998, 1999, 2000

“La Strada” - Program for prevention of trafficking in women in Central and Eastern Europe”
Duration: June 1998 - June 2001
Location: Bulgaria
Source:MATRA, EU, Dutch Ministry of foreign affairs
Objectives: The project incorporates three major spheres of activities:
Press and Lobby Campaign on the issue of trafficking in women in Bulgaria. It will promote the problem as violation of women’s human rights and its official condemnation on the part of the state and the government as well as drafting a national plan of action against trafficking in women and official criminalisation of trafficking and forced prostitution together with laying the legal framework for protection of the victims. Prevention Campaign among various groups of women at risk of being involved into forced prostitution in other countries- young women, students, schoolgirls, unemployed women, women on the low income, orphan girls, etc. This aspect of activity aims at decreasing the number of Bulgarian victims, which is extremely high at the moment; making the public aware about the problems and risks of trafficking as well as changing the public attitude which is victimising the victims of forced prostitution.
Results: La Strada
Promoting and strengthening an alternative approach in the work against women trafficking

Duration: June 2003- June 2004
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Source: program of The Canadian Embassy in Bucharest, Romania
Objective: The project aim is to promote an alternative approach in the fight against trafficking in women, consistent with the cultural, economic and social environment of the country. Its start is preceded by the adoption of the Law against the illegal trafficking in human beings on 20 May 2003 and is motivated by the need of changing the attitudes and biases of professionals towards the victims and by the needs and experiences of the survivors during the process of rehabilitation and reintegration. The efforts are directed in 2 areas:
tickTo reduce the incidences of trafficking in human beings through active prevention work
tickTo increase the capacity of government and non-government authorities and organizations (practitioners) to intervene efficiently to prevent trafficking and to support survivors.

The activities in the project will be focused on three areas:
tickLobbying and establishing of a network of government and non-government organisations in the implementation of the Law against the illegal trafficking in human beings.

* Research on the attitudes of professionals regarding The Law against the illegal trafficking in human beings.
* Organization of the Third Inter-institutional Round Table. By coordinating the efforts of the different institutions and organisations involved in the issue, the Round Table will contribute to a common understanding and approach as well as a more effective cooperation among the institutions.
* On-going meetings with representatives of GOs, NGOs, the media and international bodies, which can contribute to the project aims and objectives.

tickCapacity strengthening: Training of practitioners who work directly with (potential) victims, survivors and relatives.

* Police training;
* Social workers training;
* Crisis Unit training;
* Help-Line training.

tickPrevention: Creating comprehensive and effective tools for prevention, information and awareness-raising.

* Production of a 3 to 5-minute video-spot;
* Publication and dissemination of prevention materials and information sheets.

Empowerment Initiative for Women Survivors and Potential Victims of Trafficking in Bulgaria
Duration: May 2002 - August 2003
Location: Sofia and Aitos, Bulgaria
Source: International Labor Affairs Bureau of the Department of Labor, USA; IREX, USA
Objectives: Establishing a Training and Empowerment Center within “Animus Association” Foundation for supporting women survivors of trafficking in the process of re-integration and gaining independence after the initial crisis resulting from the violence they have experienced through job training, empowerment training, job placement and mentoring, hot-line operation. Developing a programme within “Association Alternative” in Aitos for training and empowerment of women in vulnerable position of getting into a situation of trafficking through job training, professional counselling, job placement and mentoring. Extending the existing on-going prevention and awareness campaign giving special attention to the possibilities for realisation and independence of the young women.
Prevention of Children at Risk to Enter Trafficking and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children Victims of Trafficking

Empowerment of children victims of trafficking

Duration: 12 months
Location: Bulgaria, Sofia, Brazigovo, Podem
Source: International Labor Organization
Partnering institutions: Ministry of Education and Science, Agency for Social Assistance, State Agency for Child Protection, National Employment Agency, UNICEF, Social Activities and Practices Institute

Aims of the project:
to increase the capacity of 47 professionals from the helping professions for work with children victims or at risk of trafficking
tick to develop a pilot model for prevention of trafficking in children among 60 children from three institutions - Socio-Pedagogical Boarding School “Professor Mutafchiev”, Sofia, HCECDPC in Brazigovo and Correctional Boarding School in Podem.
tick to develop a model for rehabilitation of 20 girls and boys victims of trafficking
tick to collect and document good practices related to the work with children at risk of or victims of trafficking

The project will provide training for 47 psychologists, social workers, tutors and experts. Two manuals will be created - one for life skills and one for psychosocial rehabilitation of children victims of trafficking. An opportunity for supervision of the professionals from the Child Protection Departments will be provided, as well as to the trainers on the project.

Twenty children from each of the three institutions will be trained in two-module trainings for prevention of trafficking and life skills. They will be referred to psychosocial counseling and consultations related to job seeking and professional orientation. They will also be included in the correspondence programme.

Twenty children victims of trafficking will be provided with a set of rehabilitation services (psychological counseling, material support, referral for consultations related to job seeking and professional orientation). The project also foresees consultation sessions for parents.

The good practices collected during the implementation of the project will be disseminated among the partners. A forum group will be established which will facilitate the communication among the different members and will encourage the exchange of information.

Prevention of Children at Risk to Enter Trafficking and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children Victims of Trafficking

Empowerment of children victims of trafficking

Aims of the project:
tick to increase the capacity of 47 professionals from the helping professions for work with children victims or at risk of trafficking
tick to develop a pilot model for prevention of trafficking in children among 60 children from three institutions - Socio-Pedagogical Boarding School “Professor Mutafchiev”, Sofia, HCECDPC in Brazigovo and Correctional Boarding School in Podem.
tick to develop a model for rehabilitation of 20 girls and boys victims of trafficking
tick to collect and document good practices related to the work with children at risk of or victims of trafficking

Pilot Project for training of the social workers from the Departments for child protection at the Sofia Municipal Services for Social Support for working with children and adolescents survivors of violence.
Duration: January - December 2003
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Source: OAK Philanthropy Ltd.
Аctivities under this project:
1. Training of the DCP employees for working with children and adolescents survivors of violence.
Aim of the training is to develop basic skills for social work, work in a team and management of cases of adolescents and children survivors and witnesses of violence. This training is co-ordinated with the programme of the training organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy under the project of the World Bank and is developed as an upgrade module for working with survivors of violence.
2. Training of the managers at the DCPs at the Municipal Services for Social Support, the heads of the departments at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the staff of the “Special Protection” Department at the State Agency for Child Protection (SACP) for working with survivors of violence.
Aim of the training is to involve as many disciplines and work place settings as possible and to reach a consensus regarding the approach, methods and means for protection the children and adolescents survivors of violence and to prevent the problem.
3. Developing a model for training of DCP and SACP in reference to working with children and adolescents survivors of violence.
• Developing a manual for training of employees of SACP and DCP
• The trained social workers will form a team of trainers and they will train the other DCP in the country. The team will be consulted by representatives of AAF.
• The team of trainers will develop a plan and strategy for training of all the DCP in the country.
4. Transferring the model to Macedonia - AAF has already developed good partnership with the Macedonian organisation Open Gate within the La Strada Programme. Representatives of this organisation will be joining the team and within the seminars they will follow the process of work in order to be able to master the contents and methodology of training. This aims developing a strategy for training for the employees from the Macedonian social services for working with adolescents and children survivors of violence.

Animus Association Foundation: Capacity Building and Programme Development
Duration: January 2003 - December 2005
Location: Bulgaria/Sofia
Source: Novib/MATRA, the Netherlands
Objectives:
The project aims at ensuring the sustainable development of AAF as one of the major organizations in Bulgaria which fills a significant gap in society by providing direct care and support to women, adolescents and children victims of violence and promoting and defending their human rights. The project includes the overall activities of the organisation for the period 2003-2005:
tick Further development of the Rehabilitation Center for women, adolescents and children survivors of violence through the sustainable development and improvement of the performance and quality of the core programmes.

* Counseling and therapeutic programmes
o Care program for women victims and survivors of domestic violence.
o Care program for women survivors of sexual violence.
o Care program for women survivors of trafficking in women.
* 24 hours Crisis Intervention and Accommodation Unit
* Social Program for rehabilitation of victims and survivors of violence.
* Social Volunteers’ Club.

tick Institutional development and capacity building of AAF.
tick Further development of the Training Unit for transferring the model of AAF on national, regional and international level.
tick Lobbying, networking and prevention of violence against women aiming at:

* changing the social and health-care system for transition from centralized institutional functioning towards developing community-based programs.
* recognizing of adolescents, women and children victims of trafficking, sexual and domestic violence as a group with specific needs in order to include their problems in the agenda of the governmental social policy.
* strong networking with the partner organizations in the country and abroad.

Prevention of Children at Risk to Enter Trafficking and Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Children Victims of Trafficking
Supported by ILO / IPEC
Implementing period: 17.12.05 – 28.02.07

The development objective of this Action Program was:

To contribute to the prevention and elimination of trafficking in children in Bulgaria by a/ reducing the vulnerability of children/youth to trafficking by promoting life skills training and referral to job counselling or/and vocational training, b/ providing rehabilitation and long term reintegration of child victims of trafficking by improving the quality of services provided.

The results of the Action Program were:

The capacity of 47 specialists from different settings for working with children victims or at risk of being trafficked to provide life skills training and rehabilitation and reintegration services to children at risk to be trafficked and child victims of trafficking was increased. They were involved in two trainings, based on draft modules on Life Skills Manual and Manual on Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
60 children at risk of trafficking from three state residential institutions (Social-Pedagogical Boarding School “Professor Mutavchiev”in Sofia, Home for Care and Education of Children Deprived of Parental Care “Ana Gizdova” in Brazigovo, Correctional Boarding School “Hristo Botev” in Podem) were involved in two- module trainings aiming to prevent their involvement in trafficking and other WFCL. 25 adolescents from the same institutions showed high interest and motivation and were provided with individual counselling sessions.
31 children victims of trafficking were provided with rehabilitation services (temporary safe accommodation, psychosocial counselling, material assistance, referral to job counselling)
Within the framework of this project 2 seminars on good practices were conducted.
The knowledge acquired during the programme implementation was shared and five
good practices were collected documented as per the ILO Guidelines and shared with relevant stakeholders for replication purposes.
Manual “Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Children Withdrawn from Trafficking and Other Worst Forms of Child Labour” was drafted and published in Bulgarian in 500 copies. The Manual was based on the experience of organizations in Central and Eastern Europe. The manual will be integrated in the practice of the Child Protection departments and the Crisis Centres for Children victims of sexual exploitation and street labor. Copies of it have been disseminated to other partner organizations in Europe.

Animus Association Foundation

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