Project Experiences from Bulgaria Final Conference, 16 March, Bytow, Poland

Start – selection of local partners Bulgarian community-based NGOs partners at local level: Community Centre Bratia Miladinovi, village of Mikrevo, Municipality of Strumyani Community Centre Dobry Voinikov, Municipality of Shoumen Community Centre Razvitie, Municipality of Peshtera NGO Business Centre, Municipality of Svishtov YMCA centre, Municipality of Gabrovo The role of these local NGOs is to facilitate the needs assessment process at local level and take part in conducting the training activities, thus building their 2own capacity as training providers at local level. Systematic approach was used in choosing reputable and reliable NGOs. LACTEA selected to work under the project with two of the interested organisations. FLGR selected three organisations. Main selection criteria included: availability of good infrastructure for training activities, very good reputation and experience in working with local communities and citizens, experience in provision of training, availability of reliable management team, motivation to develop in the future strong training dimension of their activity. readiness to conduct the planned project work with the available funding.

Start – selection of local partners Meeting with local partners Subcontracting local NGOs Needs assessment with the assistance of the local partners by means of a questionnaire (identification of the organisations, training topics – level of need, other initiatives and methods of training) – completed by 316 respondents

Preparation of Training Materials Project meeting in Switzerland Project meeting in Germany – Training of Trainers presentation of needs assessment results and discussion of the courses contents

Training Materials Preparation for work (ICT Skills, Entrepreneurship) Personal development Project management Community development adapting the Personal Devt module, design of the other modules based on partners’ experience

First Cycle of Training Courses Period – April – July 2006 Number of courses held - 20 Number of participants - 284 Profile – students, teachers, unemployed, participants from NGOs and municipalities

Evaluation graphic tool (for participants in the beginning and the end of the trainings) evaluation questionnaire feedback from lecturers

Evaluation The courses were very useful, practically oriented and well appreciated – participants were willing to enroll in similar advanced courses in the second training cycle; Excellent training materials were prepared and a very good use was made of the adapted translation of the Personal Development Course presented in Regen (Akrotea); The major improvement that could be envisaged for the second training cycle is to include more practical work – exercises and role plays.

Evaluation – Meeting in Kent

Second Cycle of Training Courses Period – September 2006 – March 2007 Number of courses held - 20 Number of participants - 267 Profile – students, teachers, unemployed, participants from NGOs and municipalities

Trainings

Conclusions Overall 551 people trained 40 courses completed Built capacity of local NGOs as adult learning training centres Experienced trainers at local level Continuation of the training activities – projects under the Structural Funds