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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. Evaluation – Meeting in Kent

10. 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

11. Trainings

12. 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