The Primokiz programme, developed by the Jacobs Foundation and implemented in Germany and Switzerland, is an evidence-based strategy development process to increase access to quality services - education, health and social - for young children. The International Step by Step Association (ISSA) has been licensed to implement the programme, which has been used with great success in Romania and Slovenia. In Hungary, 9 municipalities are joining the programme through a grant from the Partners Hungary Foundation. 

The role of the facilitator: 

  • Providing professional advice to support the process of developing a local early childhood strategy. 
  • The facilitator is an independent professional, but is also familiar with local, municipal conditions. 
  • Ensure that the professional perspective of all sectors involved in early childhood development - health, education, social - is taken into account. 
  • It coordinates and integrates the problems and needs identified among children and families into the local early childhood strategy. 
  • Coordinate the work of the local action team and the local coordinator involved in developing the strategy. 
  • He is in close contact with the Primokiz project leader, who works for the Partners Hungary Foundation.  
  • Your work is supported, assisted and monitored by a Primokiz facilitator mentor.  

The facilitator is responsible for: 

  • adhering to the methodology of the strategy development process, 
  • preparing the strategy (together with the local coordinator). 

The facilitator not responsible the adoption of the strategy by the municipality. 

Tasks: 

  • Organising regular face-to-face and online professional meetings for the local action team, moderating meetings, taking notes.  
  • Collecting professional proposals and materials and preparing an analysis of the mapping of the local early childhood care system 
  •  Ensuring cooperation between the local coordinator and the members of the local action team, sharing tasks, professional supervision of the writing of the local strategy 

Qualifications, professional background: 

  • Higher education.  
  •  Several years of theoretical and practical experience in the field of early childhood education, teaching and programming. 
  • Qualifications and experience as facilitator, mediator, coach, teacher, conflict manager. 
  • Good practice in drafting technical papers, submissions and studies. 
  • High level literacy 

Priority in the awarding of a contract: 

  • systems theory,  
  • conflict management skills, 
  • experience as a team leader, 
  • Driving licence and own vehicle and driving experience. 

What we offer: 

  • Competitive salary. 
  • Travel allowance. 
  • Professional development opportunities in an international environment. 

Nature and duration of the legal relationship: 

  • fixed term: until 31.12.2023.
  • part-time (20 hours per week) 
  • home office, with rural travel 

How to apply: 

Please send your CV with a photo and a motivation letter to Zsófia Bátory, Primokiz Project Coordinator, at the following e-mail address: batoryzs@partnershungary.hu  

Application deadline: 2023.08.10. 

To start as a facilitator, the facilitator must attend a 3-day Primokiz facilitator training course after signing the contract. The expected date of the training is 28-29-30 August 2023.

 

We are launching a call for complex, to implement social inclusion programmes with a special focus on children and their families, the Roma communities. The programme supports both refugees and asylum seekers in our country and local host communities.  

The programme is UNICEF Regional Ukrainian Refugee Programme Office in Hungary and the War Child are supported by.

Who can apply?

Early childhood development and social inclusion municipalities and local institutions that consider it important, civil and other Organisations 

What do we offer?

A programme provides support in the form of a set of interlocking programme elements. These can be tailored to local needs and even separately, either together or is ican be taken into account. Preference will be given to applicants who undertake to implement a complex programme, i.e. several programme elements, in the framework of local cooperation. 

What can they apply for?  

  1. "Primokiz" programme element - Creating a local complex early childhood strategy, developing and systematising existing services and developing new ones, so that professionals can support children's development and families according to their needs.
  2. Design of play centres programme element - For early childhood development olyan community space, where a children from different backgrounds (0-10 years) and their families can spend time together.
  3. Intercultural mediators programme element - Intercultural mediators, facilitators training and employment ofkik a future of the support the development of local cooperationthatják.
  4. Success in school underpinning services programme elementDesigning and implementing educational programmes to develop individual learning and sub-skills.
  5. Social work programme element - A sa programme to strengthen social work staff, enabling the introduction of a new service, with wage subsidies.
  6. Microproject programme element - Support for small projects that strengthen local inclusion and enable the implementation of local civic initiatives (available to successful applicants from 15 August 2023).
  7. Online workshops, trainingswhich support the above and are free of charge. These are provided by Partners Hungary Foundation will be published on the website.  

 

Deadline for submission of applications for programme element 1: midnight 10.07.2023

Deadline for submission of applications for programme elements 2 to 5: midnight 12 June 2023 

Deadline for submission of applications for programme elements 6 to 7: midnight 15 August 2023

Deadline for the implementation of the programme: 31.12.2023. 

Applications for each programme element are submitted online using the forms provided after each element description. Some of the programme elements can be applied for individually, others can only be applied for in combination with certain programme elements. The system is shown in the figure below. 

 

The evaluation of applications received for the Games Centre and Intercultural Mediation is ongoing, while the evaluation of the other programme elements will take place after the end of the application period. 

Applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: 

  • Cooperation between the applicant organisation and other organisations in the municipality. 
  • Applications submitted for several programme elements in the municipality.  
  • The complexity of the service the applicant organisation provides or intends to provide. 
  • The reality of the number of families to be reached. 
  • The reality of the improvements to be made. 
  • Alignment of the vocational programme with identified local needs. 
  • Consistency between professional plans and budget.  
  • Sustainability of the programme. 

 

Programme element 1: Primokiz Developing a child-centred municipal strategy 

WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN'S FIRST YEARS ARE SAFE PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY? 

The Primokiz programme is an opportunity for local authorities to develop a high-quality, practical strategy for local early childhood services.   

Primokiz is an evidence-based programme developed by the Jacobs Foundation to increase access to quality services for young children. The programme has been licensed by the Jacobs Foundation to the International Step by Step Association (ISSA), which ISSA will distribute to countries and partners interested in the programme.  

After Germany, Switzerland, Romania and Slovenia, in Hungary the Partners Hungary Foundation has been given the opportunity to implement this programme in 9 municipalities in cooperation with local authorities.   

The municipality that adopts the Primokiz programme becomes part of an international network of professionals with a long-term commitment to supporting families with young children. These municipalities will be able to bear the PRIMOKIZ LOGO, clearly conveying that the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of children is one of their most important values and that they are taking concrete steps to achieve this. 

The applicant municipalities will receive maximum support in developing a long-term sustainable strategy based on local needs. Its design and implementation will be based on effective cooperation between the professional and civil community working with children, i.e. working closely with local school, health and social services staff under the auspices and with the support of the municipality. 

It will also create opportunities and provide financial support to enable community-based formal/non-formal/informal services to be implemented by people and professionals working with young children and families, and by NGOs. The specific aim is to create services that are driven by community needs:  

  • It can be a space, a centre where families and parents can gather with their children.  
  • They can launch a new niche service, ask for support for training courses and workshops already developed to help pregnant women, families with young children in the areas of parenting, learning, development, etc. 
  • Municipalities participating in Primokiz will have the opportunity to visit a municipality in Slovenia or Romania where Primokiz is already running and showing sustainable results in the long term. The aim is to exchange experiences between countries, maintain motivation and build contacts between professional organisations.   

What do we offer? 

The Partners Hungary Foundation provides the following in-kind, professional and financial support for the development and operation of the PRIMOKIZ - Child-Focused Municipal Strategy: 

  1. The work of the municipalities participating in the PRIMOKIZ programme is supported throughout the whole process - in the development of a professionally sound local early childhood strategy - by a specialist in early childhood development, education, social services, called EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMME FACILITATOR assisted.
  2. Per municipality 3 315 000 HUF t support from we provide early childhood education, the implementation of development services, the construction and equipping of premises, including care for the local refugee and disadvantaged population.
  3. Municipalities applying for and participating in the Primokiz programme can participate in a study trip abroad to visit municipalities using the method free of charge.

For more information on study abroad: elsoagyermek@partnershungary.hu

What are the conditions for applying?  

Applications are invited from local authorities in Hungary that provide shelter for Ukrainian children fleeing war and their families. 

The aim of the application should be to implement complex social inclusion programmes, with a special focus on children and their families, and Roma communities. Where possible, the programme should support both refugees and asylum seekers in the country and local host communities.    

What can you apply for?

Primokiz - creating a local early childhood strategy, existing services of the premises of development and furnishing, and new services to enable professionals to support children's development and families according to their needs. 

Deadline for submission of applications: Midnight 10 August 2023  

Deadline for the implementation of the programme: 31.12.2023.  

In the event of a successful application, the applicant undertakes to: 

  • enters into a partnership agreement, a grant agreement with Partners Hungary Foundation for the creation of the Primokiz Early Childhood Strategy,
  • carry out a preliminary survey, known as an analysis, of existing and missing local early childhood services, which will form the basis for the development of the strategy,
  • collaborate with the sponsor and its professional supervisor, the Primokiz Early Childhood Facilitator, who is provided by Partners Hungary Foundation,
  • 1 part-time Primokiz local coordinator (Primokiz Early Childhood Coordinator), who is the leader of the local professional community, the so-called local action group,  
  • supports the creation of a local action group of local professionals (Primokiz Early Childhood Action Group), 
  • participate in the exchange of experience between municipalities within the country,  
  • reinforce, develop services for young children and their families or start new ones using the resources provided under the programme.   

 

Applications can be submitted online using the form below: Application form - Creating a local early childhood strategy 

Duration of the project: 31.12.2023.  The municipalities that have been awarded the implementation of the Primokiz programme may submit a new so-called micro-project after 15 August 2023, in order to maintain the programmes they have started and to add new parts to them. In addition, municipalities and local professionals will have the opportunity to participate in online training sessions free of charge.

2 MUNICIPALITIES ARE LOOKING FOR APPLICATIONS until 10.08.2023!

2. programme element: Game centres in local communities 

A Game centres safe, informal, inclusive spaces for quality early childhood development where children (0-10) from different backgrounds and their families can spend time together. 

Inclusive spaces, where:  

  • children meet adults of different ages and spend quality time together, playing together; 
  • children can borrow and take home toys; 
  • parents, grandparents and professionals can talk freely and share information about children's development, health and learning. 

How the Game Centres work is described in the "play for inclusion" method which promotes inclusive, community-based early childhood care and education and delivers services to children and their families where they are most needed. The method aims to provide flexible and specific responses to the needs of children aged 0-10 and their families, topagedevelop.  

Activities in play centres are based on play; they develop creativity, increase self-confidence, develop social-emotional and verbal skills, and help integration into formal education. This is particularly important for Roma, refugee and disadvantaged children and families, who are a particular focus of the Play Centres.            

For each repository, a Local Action Group (hereinafter referred to as HACS) is responsible for developing, operating and monitoring the activities of the Game Centre. With a view to sustainability and community cohesion, HACS ensures a wide range of professional and community participation. Its members may include play centre staff, head teachers, teachers, health and social care professionals, local authority representatives, parents, etc.  

 

Results of the Game Centre's operations: 

  • More vulnerable children will receive a higher level of support to enter kindergarten or school: the Play Centres are a bridge between home and formal education.  
  • It strengthens cooperation between sectors: services are brought closer to families, who feel better supported.  
  • Increasing trust among families from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds for each other. 

 

What do we offer? 

Partners Hungary Foundation provides the following financial support for the establishment and operation of the Game Centre: 

  1. Game Centre equipment: furniture, toys, minor renovations 
1 850 000 HUF 
  1. Support for the work of the Local Action Group, supply costs 
46 200 HUF/month 
  1. Programmes for children 
1 628 000 HUF 
  1. Programmes for parents 
814 000 HUF 
  1. Recipe support for the operation  
46 300 HUF/month 

Who can apply?

Applications may be submitted by municipalities and their institutions, NGOs and other organisations running refugee shelters.

Under what conditions? 

The applicant organisation undertakes to. 

  • operate the Games Centre for the duration of the grant and for at least 2 years afterwards, and provide free access for all local families;  
  • Provide 2 coordinators (part-time) to run the play centre for the duration of the grant and for at least 2 years; 
  • 2 main coordinators working with the Partners Hungary Foundation;  
  • sets up and runs an action team of local experts; 
  • ensure the participation of the members of the Local Action Group in the two-day methodological training necessary for its establishment; 
  • joins the international network of Game Centres and provides a monthly summary of the attendance of the Game Centre, as specified in the contract (age, gender, number of programmes, content). 

Deadline for submission of applications: midnight 12 June 2023.

Applications can be submitted online using the form below: Application form - Development of a play centre 

Duration of the project: 31.12.2023.  

This programme element can be applied for on its own. Preference will be given to applicants who also apply for the Primokiz programme component. The programme will support the creation of 12 play centres nationwide.  

 

Progaremelem 3: Intercultural mediation for inclusive local communities 

Short description:  

Intercultural mediation is a tried and tested methodology and toolkit for enhancing self-Dialogue and cooperation between administrations and local communities and institutions. As a result, tensions can be reduced and joint solutions to local problems can be set in motion. 

The arrival of refugees in local communities creates a contradictory situation. In many places the solidarity but at the same time already Seetek  prejudices and conflicts between local groups, which the programme can help to address and prevent. 

In the programme the Partners Hungary Foundation prepare a intercultural mediatort, with whose active involvement a local action group is being set up, involving members of the Roma community, refugees representing the municipalityeand representatives of other local institutions.  

The group members discuss community problems and work with local institutions and decision-makers to develop solutions, and they are implemented, depending on resources. 

What do we offer? 

  1. The methodology is based on the ROMED programme of the Council of Europe, which is     is complemented by Partners Hungary Foundation's more than 20 years of experience in the field of Roma inclusion.  
  2. Selected from the local community interkcultural mediatorokat image fromAbout. 
  3. The work of one main mediatort super grosser 197 500 Ft/hó will be rewarded.  
  4. The mediator is mentored. 
  5. Round tables facilitated bylunk, as a result of which, community planning to prepare a professional plan and budget.  

Financial resources will be provided to implement the professional plan: 2 200 000 HUF.

Who can apply?

Applications may be submitted by municipalities and their institutions, NGOs and other organisations running refugee shelters.

What are the conditions for applying? 

The applicant organisation undertakes to.  

  • An intercultural/Roma mediator attends the Partners Hungary training. 
  • The intercultural mediator is actively involved in setting up the local action group and organising meetings. 
  • In the long term, the action to be implemented will contribute to the development of local society, the cohesion of local communities and the strengthening of social cohesion. 

Deadline for submission of applications: midnight 12 June 2023. 

Applications can be submitted online using the form below: Application form - Intercultural mediation 

Duration of implementation: until 31.12.2023. 

This programme element can be applied for on its own. Preference will be given to applicants who also apply for the Primokiz programme component. Nationally, the programme will we support the implementation of the programme in 6 municipalities.  

 

Programme element 4: Developing a service for school success - creating a local learning group to support refugee or asylum-seeking children 

Short description: 

The service will support the development of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 services per municipality to support the academic success of primary school children. So, School integration of students who are refugees from Ukrainewe supportwho have fallen behind in their studies for whatever reason. The aim is to provide them with additional educational and developmental services. The Partners Hungary Foundation provides the funding for this, while the organisation and the content of the service is the responsibility of the implementing organisation and professionals.  

Applications are open to all NGOs, municipalities and schools that commit to submit a professional programme to support school success. 

The grant can be used freely, for example for the following purposes:  

  • the purchase of technical equipment; 
  • buying textbooks; 
  • staff costs;  
  • or any other costs that contribute to the successful integration of children in school. 

What do we offer?

  1. Maximum gross grant of 99 000 HUF/student for a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 students.  
  1. Training is provided free of charge for professionals participating in the programme, and participation is voluntary.   

 

Under what conditions?

The applicant undertakes to. 

  • Prepares an overall and individual development plan for the children in the programme and monitors its implementation. 
  • Document the entire process of the priming service. 
  • It reports on the achievements and progress of individual pupils and the group as a whole.  
  • Describes the partnerships established for development, including the relationship with parents. 
  • Photo documentation of the implementation. 

In the case of a successful application, a detailed budget will be submitted as a condition for the grant.  

Preference will be given to applicants who are also applying to set up a Games Centre.   

Deadline for submission of applications: midnight 12 June 2023. 

Applications can be submitted online using the form below: Application form - Establishing a local study group 

 

Duration of implementation: until 31.12.2023. 

This programme element cannot be applied for on its own, only in combination with the Primokiz and/or the establishment of a Game Centre and/or the Intercultural Mediation programme element. A total of 100 pupils nationwide can be supported under this programme. 

 

Programme element 5: Social work mainly to support people living in refugee accommodation and those with asylum status 

Short description: 

The aim of the programme element is to reduce the overall shortage of professionals and improve the quality of professional work in the existing municipal and NGO support system by creating a new half-time social worker or by introducing a new task or service with the help of an already employed social worker. 

The new status/task will add a NEW ELEMENT to the existing social services, which could be targeted at disadvantaged people with refugee or asylum status, children, families living locally, e.g. elderly, to meet the needs of patients. 

What do we offer?

  1. The project element is the employment of a part-time social worker is covered by a super gross of HUF 355 500/month. 
  1. An applicant may apply for funding for up to two half-status or one full status.   

Who can apply?

Applications may be submitted by municipalities and their institutions, NGOs and other organisations running refugee shelters.

Under what conditions?

The applicant undertakes to. 

  •  strengthen social work by introducing a new service; 
  • report on the results achieved with the new (part) job, including what the new service is and how many people are targeted; 
  • report on the improvement in the quality of life of the target group as a result of the support. 

Preference will be given to applicants who undertake to maintain the additional service they have provided after the end of the project.  

Preference will be given to applicants who have more than one programme element     to implement is are applying for. 

A deadline for submission of applications: midnight 12 June 2023. 

Applications can be submitted online using the form below: Application form - Social work capacity building 

Duration of implementation: until 31.12.2023. 

This programme element cannot be applied for on its own, only in combination with the Primokiz and/or the establishment of a Game Centre and/or the Intercultural Mediation programme element. A total of 3 full-time or 6 half-time social workers can be supported nationally under this programme. 

 

Programme element 6: Microprojects

 

On 15 August 2023, we will open a new round of applications to the winning local strengthening inclusion design and implement micro-projects.  Under the programme, nationally we support a total of 6 microprojects.  
 

Free to use, 2 200 000,- Ft The aim of this framework is to develop and implement a community-driven project that is organised around a local issue, which will deepen and complement other elements of the programme already underway. 

Applications will be awarded to those whose results are sustainable and contribute to increasing the inclusiveness of the local community, the involvement of refugees, Roma, vulnerable groups in local decision-making, improving their advocacy capacity, improving access to public services, and strengthening cooperation between the population and institutions. 

The application can be submitted from 15 August to 15 September 2023, using the application form currently displayed.

 

Programme element 7: Online workshops, training

Applications open from August, details in July!

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY: We are looking for a facilitator to develop a local early childhood strategy for Primokiz. Deadline for applications: 10.07.2023. ITT.

 

Please contact us if you have any questions: elsoagyermek@partnershungary.hu

 

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - Round 3: 7000 HP laptops to be allocated through a tender 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - Round 3 To distribute 7000 HP laptops through a call for applications 

TENDER TALK - Round 3 for the replacement of 7000 HP laptops through a tender 

 

 

Background information: 

Background information:

Preliminary information: 

 

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 laptops to children and their families fleeing war aggression, as well as to organisations and educational institutions supporting them. The devices will be donated by the Global Business Coalition for Education, of which HP Inc. is a member, through the International Step by Step Association.The donation will be distributed in Hungary by Partners Hungary Foundation. 

HP Inc. offers 7000 laptops to children and their families fleeing from the war of aggression, as well as to the organizations and educational institutions helping refugees. The devices are donated by the Global Business Coalition for Education, of which HP is a member, through the International Step by Step Association. In Hungary, the donation will be distributed by Partners Hungary Foundation. 

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 laptops to children affected by war and their families, as well as to the organizations and educational institutions that support them. Donation made by Global Business Coalition for Education (Global Business Coalition for Education)of which HP Inc. is a member, through the International Association "International Step by Step Association". Donations expand in Ukraine by Partners Hungary Foundation Foundation. 

 

The Partners Hungary Foundation considers it of utmost importance to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and integration of families, children, adult education students or, in justified cases, persons who cannot be classified in any of these categories, who are fleeing to Hungary or are forced to flee within the borders of Ukraine. 

Partners Hungary Foundation considers it of utmost importance to help mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster provoked by the war in Ukraine which broke out on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and inclusion of families, children, persons in adult education, or in justified cases, persons who cannot be classified into any of these categories, fleeing to Hungary or forced to flee within the borders of Ukraine.  

Ugorsky Foundation "Partners Hungary Foundation" considers it extremely important to address the consequences of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war in Ukraine, which began on 24 August 2022,  i in particular support for integration and access to education simae, children, participantiin education for the elderly or in other cases persons who cannot be classified in one of these categories, those who have fled from the war to Ukraine or who are willing to fight within the borders of Ukraine 

 

Based on the donor's intentions, the laptops will be distributed mainly to refugee organisations, formal and informal groups, organisations and institutions with educational and public education functions, as well as to teachers, refugee children and families. 

In line with the donor's intentions, the laptops will be distributed primarily to organisations, formal and informal groups engaged in supporting refugees, organisations and institutions fulfilling vocational and public education functions, as well as to educators, refugee children and families. 

Based on the donors' needs, the laptops are also being promoted among organisations working with women, formal and informal groups, organisations and institutions that carry out educational and social-educational tasks, as well as teachers, children and families of women. 

 

Notice is hereby given of the launch of the Call for proposals for Refugee Support NGOs, Organisations and their Clients, Round 3. 

The following Call for Applications is published: Call for Applications for NGOs and other organizations supporting refugees, and for their clients, 3rd Round 

Call for proposals for the following call for proposals: Tender for community-based organisations and organisations providing assistance to women and their families, Round 3 

 

Key principles of our programme: 

The most important principles of our programme: 

The main principles of our application programs: 

 

  • Speed: The laptops should be delivered to the beneficiaries as soon as possible, so that they can become useful tools for effective learning, leisure and information as soon as the school year starts. 

Speed: The laptops shall be distributed to the beneficiaries as soon as possible so that they can be put into use right away for efficient learning, useful free time activities and obtaining information as the school year has already begun. 

Mobility: Laptops should be in the possession of beneficiaries for as long as possible so that they can be used as tools for effective teaching, learning and learning after the start of the academic year.. 

  • Reliability: we want to make sure that laptops are available to children, families, teachers and the organisations and educational institutions that support them, and that we can filter out potential misuse as much as possible. 

Trustworthiness: It is important that the laptops are made available exclusively for refugee children and families, as well as their teachers, the organisations and educational institutions that support them in order to prevent any potential misuse. 

Excellence: we want to ensure that laptops б outdoor available for children's consumption, We want to make sure that we are able to maximise the potential for learning from the people, teachers, organisations and institutions that support them. 

  • Collaboration: we believe that it is very important for volunteers, professionals and organisations working to support refugees to work together, because we believe that by sharing information, complementing each other's competences, thinking and acting together, and showing solidarity, we can only reflect on the ever-changing needs. 

Cooperation: Cooperation among volunteers, professionals and organizations engaged in working with refugees is of key importance. We are convinced that responsiveness to constantly changing needs is only possible through sharing information, complementing each other's competences, collective action and reflection, and solidarity. 

Spivpratsya: We consider the cooperation of volunteers, professionals and organisations working in support of women to be very important, as we believe that, by sharing information, complementing each other's competences, thinking and acting together, and committing to solidarity, we can only react for consumers who are constantly changing 

  • Sustainability: we want to ensure that the assets are at the service of the beneficiaries in the long term, using the assets to their full capacity and, where possible, benefiting the whole community of educators and learners, especially in the case of educational institutions. 

Sustainability: Our aim is to make sure that the laptops are made use of in the long run, their capacity is fully exploited in favour of the beneficiaries, and that the whole community of teachers and students benefits from them, especially in educational institutions. 

Mobility: we want to to ensure that the tools are at the service of the beneficiaries in the long term and that, where possible - especially in the case of higher education institutions - they bring benefits to the whole spectrum of students and learners. 

  • Tracking, measuring impact: we want to assess the impact that access to a laptop has had on the lives of beneficiaries; we will track this using the Most Significant Change methodology. 

Monitoring, impact measurement: We shall evaluate how the access to laptops impacted the lives of the beneficiaries; the Most Significant Change methodology shall be used for this purpose. 

Further action, impact assessment: we would like to assess the impact of laptop access on the lives of beneficiaries; we will do this by Most Significant Change (Naibilsh Suttsevi Amendments). 

  • Transparency: we want to distribute laptops in a way that respects the rules on the handling of personal data, but in a transparent manner. On our website, we will be able to keep track of the names of the winning organisations, the number of laptops still available, and information on the applications. 

Transparency: We shall conduct the distribution of the laptops in a transparent way along with strict compliance with the regulations on personal data privacy. The names of successful applicants, the number of available laptops, and information on the application process will be made available on our website. 

Prospectivity: we want to carry out the processing of notebooks prospectively, in compliance with the rules on the processing of personal data. A list of the suppliers, the number of laptops still available and information on tenders will be available on our website. 

 

This call for proposals aims to: 

The goal of this call for applications: 

The purpose of this call for tenders: 

 

To support organisations providing services to refugee families from Ukraine (accommodation, social, integration services, support to vulnerable groups, etc.) and their clients by providing laptops, and to provide computer support for services through laptops, thus strengthening professional work.Improving the quality of life of clients in close contact with the organisations, improving their access to educational services, improving their labour market situation, helping them to spend their free time in a useful way, managing their official affairs, supporting their contacts with their families and communities, etc. 

If the needs exceed the possibilities, preference will be given to those living in Hungary and those who can help them. 

Our goal is to support NGOs in their activities aimed at supporting refugee families from Ukraine (accommodation, social and integration services, supporting vulnerable groups, etc.) by providing them with laptops and IT support for their services, thus empowering their professional work. We also aim to improve the quality of life of clients supported by the organizations, to increase their access to educational services, to improve their labour market prospects, to help them spend their free time in a meaningful way, to provide them with support in official procedures, and to support them in communicating with their families and members of their community, etc. 

Should the number of requests exceed the number of laptops available in the project, preference will be given to refugees living in Hungary and the organizations helping them. 

Pідтримка organizations providing assistance to families of refugees from Ukraine (services in the field of childcare, social services, integration services, support for different groups, etc.) and their children by providing them with laptops, as well as providing a computer background for services via laptops, thus supporting professional work. Reducing the quality of life of students who have close links with organisations, reducing their access to learning services, reducing their situation in the labour market, helping them to spend their free time, managing their service rights, supporting their relations with members their houses and buildings, etc.. 

If the inward investment is too much, we will give thanks to those who live in Ukraine and to those who help them. 

 

Who can apply? 

Who can apply? 

Who can apply? 

 

The competition is open. You can apply in this call for proposals: 

  • NGOs supporting refugees: associations, foundations, social cooperatives, etc. 
  • non-profit and for-profit business associations supporting refugees, 
  • informal groups and organisations supporting refugees, self-help groups, etc. 

This is an open Call for Applications. The following entities may apply: 

  • NGOs providing support for refugees: associations, foundations, social cooperatives, etc. 
  • non-profit and for-profit business organisations supporting refugees, 
  • informal groups and organisations, self-help groups supporting refugees, etc. 

The tender is open. In this tender round applications can be filed: 

  • NGOs that support women: associations, foundations, social cooperatives, etc. 
  • non-commercial and commercial companies that support women, 
  • informal groups and support organisations for women, self-help groups, etc. 

WARNING! This call for proposals is also open to organisations that have participated in previous calls. Please note that applicants may only apply for laptops for persons or staff of organisations who have not received such support in previous rounds! 

ATTENTION! This call for proposals is open to organisations that have also participated in previous Calls for Proposals. Please note that applicants may only apply for laptops for persons or staff who did not receive such support in the previous rounds! 

WOW! This competition is open to organisations that have taken part in previous competitions. Please note that applicants may only apply for laptops for staff or associates of organisations that did not receive such support in the previous round! 

 

They cannot apply for, among others: 

  • political parties, party foundations, 

  • public, governmental and budgetary bodies and their institutions, 

  • local authorities and their institutions, 

  • natural persons. 

The following entities are excluded from the application process: 

  • political parties, political party foundations, 
  • state, government and budgetary bodies and their institutions, 
  • municipalities and their institutions, 
  • natural persons. 

The following are not eligible to apply: 

  • political parties, party foundations, 
  • Powerні, urodovi, budgetary organisations and their institutions, 
  • local self-government bodies and their institutions, 
  • physical persons. 

 

Subject of the application:  

The subject matter of the call for applications: 

Subject of the application: 

 

The new HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convert laptops donated by HP Inc. are equipped with English and Ukrainian keyboards and are perfect for general user purposes. The laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processors, 8-16GB RAM and 256-1TB backups. The type of laptops to be allocated will be determined according to the purpose of use, depending on the demand received. 

New HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convertible laptops donated by HP Inc. with English and Ukrainian keyboards convenient for everyday use. The laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processors, 8-16GB RAM memory size, and 256-1TB storage capacity. Laptop type will be selected based on the applications received and their intended use. 

Absolutely new HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convert laptops with English and Ukrainian keyboard, ideal for everyday use, presented by HP Inc. Laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processor, 8-16 GB RAM and 256-1 TB of RAM. Depending on the type of notebook you need, we will select the type of notebook for your needs according to your intended use. 

 

Rules on the number of laptops that can be used: 

Rules on the number of laptops that may be requested: 

Rules on the number of laptops that may be submitted for tender: 

 

  • Staff working with refugees and volunteers of the applicant organisation who have a registered employment or other contractual relationship with the applicant organisation. 
  • Where justified, up to 3 additional laptops may be required for certain service functions. 
  • For refugees, if: 
  • children in public education, 
  • young people in higher education, 
  • people involved in adult learning,  
  • and, where justified, persons who do not fall into one of these categories. 

In all cases, the use of a laptop must be indispensable for the above activities and must be justified when filling in the application form. 

  • Laptops requested for staff members engaged in the work with refugees employed by the organization or in other contractual relationship with the organization: 
  • In justified cases, a maximum of 3 additional laptops may be requested for ensuring certain services. 
  • Laptops may be requested for refugees belonging to the following categories: 
  • children participating in public education, 
  • adults pursuing higher education studies, 
  • persons in adult education, 
  • and in justified cases, for persons not belonging to any of these categories. 

In any case, laptop use must be indispensable for the activity indicated above, and a justification must be provided for the request in the Application Form. 

  • For workers who work with women and who are in an established employment or other contractual relationship with the applicant organisation and the organisation's volunteers: 
  • In some cases, you can also request a maximum of 1,000 additional servicing functions. 3 laptops. 
  • For women who: 
  • children who participate in public education, 
  • young people who have a high level of education, 
  • individuals who participate in pre-school education, 
  • and, in limited cases, persons who cannot be classified in one of these categories. 

In all cases, the condition is that the use of the laptop is necessary for the intended purpose, which must be stated when the application form is completed. 

 

Submission of the application: 

Application procedure: 

Submitting an application: 

 

Applications must be submitted electronically using the application form available at the following link:  

  • https://forms.gle/9STCrk156tLN63E58 
  • No additional documents need to be submitted with the completed electronic application. 
  • Deadline for submission of applications 12 March 2023 23:59  
  • The evaluation of the applications received and the announcement of the results are ongoing. 

Applications may only be submitted electronically via the online Application Form at:  

  • https://forms.gle/9STCrk156tLN63E58  
  • No additional documents need to be submitted along with the online Application Form. 
  • Application deadline: 12 March, 2023, 23:59 
  • Applications will be evaluated and results will be announced on a continuous basis. 

Applications may only be submitted electronically using the application form available on the website:  

  • https://forms.gle/9STCrk156tLN63E58   
  • No additional documents need to be submitted in addition to the electronic application 
  • Deadline for submission of application - 12 March, 2023, 23:59 
  • Evaluation and voting on the results of the applications received will take place continuously. 

 

Evaluation of applications: 

Evaluation: 

Evaluation of applications: 

 

The evaluation of the applications, the type and quantity of laptops awarded will be decided by a panel of judges, taking into account the general rules on conflicts of interest, on the basis of the following evaluation criteria: 

  • Complete the application form in full, 
  • Coherence of the information provided in the application form, 
  • The complexity of the applicant organisation's services to support refugees. 

Applications will be evaluated and the type and number of laptops to be awarded will be determined by an Evaluation Committee with respect to the general rules on conflict of interest and based on the following evaluation criteria: 

  • Submission of a fully completed Application Form, 
  • Coherence of information provided in the Application Form, 
  • Complexity of services provided for refugees. 

The Evaluation Committee shall decide on the evaluation of applications, type and number of vithranich of laptops, taking into account the general conflict of interest rules, based on the following evaluation criteria: 

  • Forwarding of the application form, 
  • The usefulness of the information provided on the application form, 
  • The scope of services provided by the applicant organisation to support women. 

 

Preference will be given to applicants who: 

  • work in close cooperation with relevant and participating bodies, organisations and individuals, 
  • make additional commitments or provide additional services to the beneficiary persons, including but not limited to: 
  • personal collection and delivery of the winning laptops from Budapest, 
  • install the Windows operating system with the code provided by the donor, 
  • install Office 365 software on laptops from your own resources, 
  • teaching computer skills, 
  • in the case of minor beneficiaries, the age filtering of laptops, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of laptops, 
  • the provision of internet access for the use of laptops, 
  • the use of a printer and scanner, if necessary, etc. 

Preference will be given to Applicants who: 

  • work in close cooperation with the concerned and participating bodies, organisations and individuals, 
  • make additional commitments, or provide additional services for the beneficiary persons, including but not limited to the following: 
  • collecting the awarded laptops from Budapest in person, 
  • installing Windows operating system on the laptops using the product key provided by the donor, 
  • installing Office 365 software on the laptops from own resources, 
  • teaching computer skills for users, 
  • if the beneficiaries are children, installing age-restriction filters on the laptops, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of the laptops, 
  • providing internet access for the laptops, 
  • providing printer and scanner use, etc., if needed. 

The priority will be given to applicants who: 

  • work in close cooperation with the relevant and designated authorities, bodies and individuals, 
  • taken from on oneself  additional obligations and provide additional services to beneficiaries, including but not limited to the following: 
  • special selection and delivery of winning laptops from Budapest, 
  • install the Windows operating system with the code provided by the donor, 
  • install Office 365 software on laptops at the cost of your own resources, 
  • computer literacy training, 
  • in the event of an unreliable power supply, the supply of notebooks with a low-voltage filter, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of laptops, 
  • providing access to the Internet for the use of laptops, 
  • ensuring the use of the printer and scanner when necessary. 

 

The panel may request further information from the organisations to help it reach its final decision. Its decision in the exercise of its discretion is final. We will not be able to consider any further requests regarding the number and type of laptops.  

The Evaluation Committee may request further information from the organizations before it makes its final decision. The committee's decision within its margin of discretion shall be final. Additional requests concerning the number and type of laptops will not be considered. 

The Review Committee may request additional information from the organisations in order to reach a final decision. Its discretionary decision is residual. We are unable to provide additional notes on the number and type of laptops. 

 

In the event of a successful application, the laptops will be delivered to: 

  • After submitting the application, fill in and submit the electronically sent End User Data Sheet with the beneficiary's details and information on the use of the laptops; 
  • The processing of the personal data of the beneficiaries is governed by the Privacy Notice; 
  • The conclusion of a grant agreement and/or a contract of engagement between Partners and the successful applicant; 
  • Conclusion and submission of scanned copies of grant contracts signed by the successful applicant and beneficiaries; 
  • Signing of the handover protocol.  

Prerequisites to collecting the awarded laptops: 

  • Filling in and electronically submitting the End User Data Sheet with the data of the beneficiaries and the information about the intended use of the laptops once the application has been submitted.  
  • Protecting privacy of beneficiaries' data as specified in the Privacy Policy; 
  • Signing a grant contract and/or agency contract between Partners Hungary and the successful Applicant; 
  • Signing grant contracts between the successful Applicant and the beneficiary persons, and submitting scanned copies of these contracts; 
  • Signing an itemized Acceptance Protocol. 

In case of a successful tender, the conditions for obtaining the laptops are: 

  • After submitting your application, please fill in and send an electronic version of the End User Application Form with your beneficiary details and information on the use of laptops; 
  • The processing of personal data of beneficiaries is foreseen in the Information on Data Management; 
  • Establishment of a contract for support between Partners Hungary and the applicant-transferee; 
  • Signing of the grant contract and/or agency agreement between the Partners of the Host Country and the successful applicant; 
  • Signing of the act of acceptance of transfer 

 

For further questions, please contact the project team at the following e-mail address: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • János Orsós Project Manager,  
  • Emese Erzsébet Nagy Project Coordinator and  
  • Ádám Kovács IT staff member 

More information about the Partners Hungary Foundation: https://partnershungary.hu/hu_hu/ 

PHA wishes you a successful application! 

 

If you have any further questions, please contact the Project Team via the following email address: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • János Orsós Project Manager,  
  • Erzsébet Emese Nagy, Project Coordinator, and  
  • Ádám Kovács, IT officer . 

Find out more about Partners Hungary Foundation at: https://partnershungary.hu/hu_hu/ 

PHF wishes you success with your application! 

 

If you have any further questions, please contact the project team at the e-mail address below: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • Project Manager János Orsós 
  • project coordinator Emese Elisabeth Nagy ta  
  • ІТ-Practitioner Ádám Kovács 

More information about Partners Hungary: https://partnershungary.hu/hu_hu/  

Bazhaemo have a successful application! 

 

Partners Hungary Foundation Laptop programme GDPR consent form Ukraininan

Privacy Policy Partners Hungary Foundation Laptop Program

Laptop application data management information

 

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 laptops to children fleeing war aggression and their families, as well as to organisations and educational institutions supporting them. The devices are donated through the International Step By Step Association by the Business Coalition for Education and TheirWorld, of which HP Inc. is a member.We are assisted in the professional storage of the laptops by the generous support of the Raben Group. The donation is distributed in Hungary by Partners Hungary Foundation. 

In the first round, we are launching a call for applications for NGOs, organisations and their clients that help refugees. tender opportunities. In our second round, we are now looking to provide opportunities for educational institutions.

Partners Hungary considers it of utmost importance to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and integration of families, children, adult education students or, in justified cases, persons who cannot be classified in any of these categories, who are fleeing to Hungary or are forced to flee within the borders of Ukraine. 

Based on the donor's intentions, the laptops will be distributed mainly to refugee organisations, formal and informal groups, organisations and institutions with educational and public education functions, as well as to teachers, refugee children and families. 

We have published two types of call for proposals: 

  1. The call for applications for NGOs, organisations and their clients supporting refugees (civil laptop application form), and 
  2. The call for applications for educational institutions, organisations, associations, professionals and their pupils and students providing educational services - this call (educational laptop application form) 

 

Where is the programme now?

By mid-January 2023, 2 application rounds closed. A decision on further rounds is expected before the end of January.

Call for applications for NGOs

  • 77 winning applicants 
  • more than 3700 laptops awarded 
  • more than 100 electronic contracts concluded  
  • more than 2000 laptops already received and, after installation, handed over to the beneficiary refugees and asylum seekers 

Call for proposals for educational institutions (closed 9 Jan):  

  • 50 winning applicants 
  • More than 1500 laptops awarded 

Interesting facts:

  • Almost 100 pallets of equipment were delivered to the 3 warehouses offered by the Raben Group.  
  • 1 warehouse emptied by early January thanks to transfers  
  • We have signed a contract with our new sponsor, the Raben Grouppal, who will ensure that the laptops are properly stored throughout the programme until they reach the end users.

We are grateful to the organisations with whom we have been able to work in partnership to create this ambitious programme:

  • HP Inc.
  • International Step by Step Association
  • Global Business Coalition for Education
  • TheirWorld
  • Raben Group

What is the project about?

In our Erasmus+ project, our partnership aims to strengthen the support for the continuous professional development of professionals working with young socially disadvantaged children and their parents by providing them with training in a range of methodologies that they can use in their everyday work. 

 

Project partners

  • Škola dokorán - Wide Open School n.o. is a Slovak non-profit organisation dedicated to community development and lifelong learning for socially disadvantaged groups, with a special focus on disadvantaged families with young children who are active at local, national and international level
  • CIAPE - CENTRO ITALIANO PER L'APPRENDIMENTO PERMANENTE is an Italian non-profit cultural association that disseminates innovative educational methodologies in Europe. With more than 100 successful projects in Europe to date, CIAPE relies on a network of more than 300 partners across Europe.In 2018, CIAPE launched a brand new co-working space in Rome, "The Apartment", which offers early childhood services to its staff and the general public, with the aim of strengthening social skills through play from birth, assertiveness and empathy, following the Scandinavian model.
  • Partners Hungary Foundation, that's us. Our aim is to contribute to the development of a multicultural society, tolerant and in harmony with its environment and nature, able to integrate the values of different cultures at both individual and societal levels.
  • A Pomoc Deci is a Serbian NGO, a non-profit organisation that supports quality care and education for children aged 0-18 and their parents.

 

Expected results of the project

Report on national ECD policies in partner countries

The report stresses the importance of free, high quality and inclusive early childhood education and care in formal and non-formal services. It stresses the need to embrace and support the role of family members in creating learning opportunities for their children and themselves. The increased interest in mapping the ECEC situation in partner countries has led to a number of contemporary international studies and reports on early childhood education. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive, up-to-date report on national ECD (early childhood) policies in partner countries. This report aims to fill the gap with credible and sound research and subsequent recommendations for authorities responsible for social inclusion and inclusive education policies for young children and their families. The study focuses on early childhood education and care services, mapping the current situation to provide guidance for future developments in the region. The report provides a contextual description and analysis in the context of policies and frameworks for infants and toddlers aged 0-3 years and pre-school children aged 3-6/7 years in partner countries. It examines issues of access, affordability and quality of early care and education services; the sustainability of the measures implemented; and the role of families and the involvement of the wider community.

THE TECHNICAL MATERIAL CAN BE DOWNLOADED FREE OF CHARGE HERE: Policy Report ECD

 

Toolkit for professionals working with socially disadvantaged young children and their parents

This toolkit can be used to train practitioners, helping them to become better trained professionals. It is based on pedagogical goals, values and approaches that enable children to use their skills in a holistic way. 1) Parenting with confidence 2) Home visiting programme Target groups. Pre-school teachers, Pre-school teachers, Pre-school teachers, Pre-school assistants, Social workers, Community social workers, Toy library staff, Local government representatives, NGO representatives, Community non-formal leaders, Other local stakeholders. Final target group: parents and young children (especially those from socially and culturally disadvantaged backgrounds). 

Themes in the toolbox:

  1.  PARENTING WITH CONFIDENCE
  2. HOME VISITING PROGRAMME - SOCIAL TRUTH TRAINING (Home Visiting Programme) 

THE TECHNICAL MATERIAL CAN BE DOWNLOADED FREE OF CHARGE HERE: Working with disadvantaged parents and children

Respecting diversity (toolkit)

The aim of this toolkit is to revitalise the values of inclusion and democracy in classrooms, schools and kindergartens. It provides guidance to help professionals create an environment in which all children are happy while learning to respect those who are different. It is based on the Persona Doll approach, an effective way to help children aged 2-8 years discover diversity and explore stereotypes. The method offers an effective, non-threatening and enjoyable way to discuss issues of equality and to challenge stereotypical and discriminatory thinking in young children. Target groups. Final target group: parents and young children (especially those from socially and culturally disadvantaged backgrounds). 

Contents of the toolbox:

 1) PERSONA DOLL METHOD (Persona Doll Method)

2) EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 

THE TECHNICAL MATERIAL CAN BE DOWNLOADED FREE OF CHARGE HERE: Diversity is a value_methodology collection

Early childhood policy recommendations for EU and national stakeholders

Based on the activities and evaluations, policy recommendations will be made to decision-makers at the level of each partner organisation and at European level in the field of early childhood development. The recommendations will be addressed to decision-makers at different levels - from local (e.g. municipal representatives) to national (e.g. representatives of different ministries and agencies dealing with equal opportunities). An analysis of the conditions for participation of pre-school children in the early childhood education system at national level will also be included in the policy recommendations. The recommendations to policy makers will be both specific (improving the quality and accessibility of pre-primary education for pre-school children, especially Roma children, taking into account the needs of individual children in cooperation with the family, inclusive pedagogy, literacy development, training of parents and early childhood professionals) and structural (involvement of the wider local community, transnational exchange of good practice).

THE TECHNICAL MATERIAL CAN BE DOWNLOADED FREE OF CHARGE HERE:

Project coordinator

Škola dokorán - Wide Open School, n.o., Baštova 5

81103 Bratislava, Slovakia

E-mail: info@skoladokoran.sk

Erasmus+ Project

Strengthening and Supporting the Early Childhood Development Workforce - ECD PLUS (2021-1-SK01-KA220-SCH-000023601)

The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The Partners Hungary Foundation considers it of utmost importance to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and integration of families, children, adult education students or, in justified cases, persons who cannot be classified in any of these categories, who are fleeing to Hungary or are forced to flee within the borders of Ukraine.

What happens in our project in Fonyod and who works in it?

A Nestingplay is the operator and professional manager of the Fonyod refugee camp of the Municipality of Budapest. Nestingplay helps to develop differential development due to extreme poverty and trauma through games. It also works with parents to make them more aware, teach them how to play, and to recognise the gaps and delays so that education becomes important to them, as this is the only way they can support their own children's progress.
 
The Partners Hungary Foundation supports the camp in several ways: by establishing a play library, it provides tools for the development of the children, and financial resources to improve the quality of life of the camp's residents. The Nestingplay team is complemented by Emese Nagy Erzsébet Nagy, a Partners staff member, who works in the camp with the Foundation's methodology as a camp counsellor.
 
We believe it is important for our organisations to work together, but also to preserve our identity and our strategy-driven operations. Our common goal is to support at local level the reception of refugees who will stay in Hungary and who are the most vulnerable. Sometimes, as now, we need to stop and reflect: with 6 months of experience behind us, we can plan better. Long-term planning is now beginning to help those who are here to stay. 

What impact does our programme have on refugee families and the local community?

The children go to nursery and school, have afternoon development sessions, are starting to open up, dare to play and explore their new environment, learn Hungarian and slowly catch up with their peers. The camp also has a Toy Library, which was supported by LDS Charities.
And the relationship between the campers and the locals is improving as they get to know each other, thanks to a local pastor who organises joint services week after week. All this has come about through inter-professional and inter-institutional collaboration - it's what makes community support work. Thanks to all who contribute to helping families coming from deprivation and fear to find safety and community.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR ROUND 2 FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

7000 HP laptops to be allocated through a tender 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS ROUND 2. FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTUTITIONS

To distribute 7000 HP laptops through a call for applications - English below

TENDER TENDER 2nd round for educational institutions

for the replacement of 7000 HP laptops through a tender - lower ukraine

 

 Background information: 

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 laptops to children fleeing war aggression and their families, as well as to organisations and educational institutions supporting them. The devices are being donated by the Business Coalition for Education, of which HP Inc. is a member, through the International Step By Step Association.The donation will be distributed in Hungary by Partners Hungary Foundation. 

In the first round, we are launching a call for applications for NGOs, organisations and their clients that help refugees. tender opportunities. In our second round, we are now looking to provide opportunities for educational institutions.

Partners Hungary considers it of utmost importance to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and integration of families, children, adult education students or, in justified cases, persons who cannot be classified in any of these categories, who are fleeing to Hungary or are forced to flee within the borders of Ukraine. 

Based on the donor's intentions, the laptops will be distributed mainly to refugee organisations, formal and informal groups, organisations and institutions with educational and public education functions, as well as to teachers, refugee children and families. 

There are two types of call for proposals: 

  1. The call for applications for NGOs, organisations and their clients supporting refugees (civil laptop application form), and 
  2. The call for applications for educational institutions, organisations, associations, professionals and their pupils and students providing educational services - this call (educational laptop application form) 

 

Key principles of our programme: 

  • Speed: Our aim is to get the laptops to the beneficiaries as soon as possible, so that they can become useful tools for effective learning, leisure and information as soon as the school year starts. 
  • Reliability: We are determined to make sure that laptops are available to children, families, teachers and the organisations and educational institutions that support them, and to filter out potential misuse as much as possible. 
  • Cooperation: We believe it is very important for volunteers, professionals and organisations working to support refugees to work together, because we believe that by sharing information, complementing each other's competences, thinking and acting together, and showing solidarity, we can only reflect on the ever-changing needs. 
  • Sustainability: Our aim is to ensure that the tools are at the service of the beneficiaries in the longer term and at the capacity of the tools, and where possible, especially in the case of educational institutions, for the benefit of the whole community of teachers and pupils. 
  • Tracking, impact measurement: We would like to assess the impact that access to a laptop has had on the lives of beneficiaries; we will monitor this using the Most Significant Change methodology. 
  • Transparency: We would like to distribute laptops in a transparent way, while respecting the rules on the processing of personal data. On our website, you will be able to follow the list of winning organisations, the number of laptops still available and information about the applications. 

 

This call for proposals aims to: 

To support educational institutions providing education, training, language teaching, tutoring, mental and psychological support, support for sports and leisure activities, accommodation and family support (education, accommodation, social, integration services, support for vulnerable groups, mental health support, etc.) for students who are refugees from Ukraine with laptop equipment, and to provide computer support for the services, thus strengthening professional work.It also aims to improve the quality of life of students in close contact with educational institutions, improve their access to educational services, support their access to Ukrainian online education, improve their labour market situation, help them spend their free time in a useful way, manage their official affairs and support their contact with their families and communities. 

If the needs exceed the possibilities, preference will be given to those living in Hungary and those who can help them. 

 

Who can apply? 

The competition is open. You can apply in this call for proposals: 

  • educational and training institutions and higher education,  
  • non-profit and for-profit companies, 
  • informal groups and organisations, self-help groups, etc. 

which provide education, accommodation, mental health support and support for sports and leisure activities for students fleeing war. 

 

Applicants can apply for laptops for the following beneficiaries:  

  • For personal use by primary school pupils, vocational or secondary school students, university students or adult education students who have fled the war,  
  • For teachers, vocational trainers, language trainers, support professionals and volunteers working intensively with refugees under contract with the Institute, for their personal use to support their activities,  
  • For independent teachers, trainers, language teachers and mental health professionals working intensively with refugees in the institution, 
  • For the personal use of additional contractually related persons where justified, and  
  • Other educational purposes where justified. 

 

They cannot apply for, among others: 

  • Political parties, party foundations, 
  • State, government, budget bodies and their institutions, 
  • Local governments. 

 

Subject of the application: 

The new HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convert laptops donated by HP Inc. are equipped with English and Ukrainian keyboards and are perfect for general user purposes. The laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processors, 8-16GB RAM and 256-1TB backups. The type of laptops to be allocated will be determined according to the purpose of use, depending on the demand received. 

 

Rules on the number of laptops that can be used: 

  • Staff members with a registered employment or other contractual relationship with the applicant organisation who also work with refugees and volunteers of the institution: 
  • Up to 1 laptop for teachers, trainers and support professionals working with refugee students. 
  • Up to 3 laptops per institution for volunteers working with refugee students, if the use of a laptop is essential for their work. 
  • Up to 10 additional laptops can be requested for other service functions. 

In all cases, the use of a laptop must be indispensable for the above activities and must be justified when filling in the application form. 

 

Submission of the application: 

Applications must be submitted electronically using the application form available at the following link:  

  • Application form 
  • No additional documents need to be submitted with the completed electronic application. 
  • The deadline for submission of applications is 9 JANUARY 2023.
  • The evaluation of the applications received and the announcement of the results are ongoing. 

 

Evaluation of applications: 

The evaluation of the applications, the type and quantity of laptops awarded will be decided by a panel of judges, taking into account the general rules on conflicts of interest, on the basis of the following evaluation criteria: 

  • Complete the application form in full, 
  • Coherence of the information provided in the application form, 
  • The complexity of the applicant institution's refugee support services. 

 

Preference will be given to applicants who: 

  • They work in close cooperation with the bodies, organisations, individuals and institutions involved and involved in supporting refugees, 
  • make additional commitments or provide additional services to the beneficiary persons, including but not limited to: 
  • personal collection and delivery of the winning laptops from Budapest, 
  • install the Windows operating system with the code provided by the donor, 
  • install Office 365 software on laptops from your own resources, 
  • teaching computer skills, 
  • supplying laptops with educational software, 
  • in the case of minor beneficiaries, the age filtering of laptops, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of laptops, 
  • the provision of internet access for the use of laptops, 
  • the use of a printer and scanner, if necessary, etc. 

The selection board may request further information from the institutions to help it reach its final decision. Its decision in the exercise of its discretionary powers is final. No further requests regarding the number and type of laptops can be considered.  

 

In the event of a successful application, the laptops will be delivered to: 

  • After the submission of the application, the electronic submission of the End user data sheet complete and submit a table with the details of the beneficiaries and information on the use of the laptops. The processing of the personal data of the beneficiaries is described in the Privacy Notice; 
  • The contract between Partners Hungary Foundation and the winning applicant Support contract for laptops that remain the property of the institution; 
  • The contract between Partners Hungary Foundation and the winning applicant Contract of assignment for laptops donated to beneficiaries; 
  • Signed by the successful applicant and the beneficiaries Support contracts and sending a scanned copy; 

 

For further questions, please contact the project team at the following e-mail address: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • Kata Kárász Project Manager,  
  • Emese Erzsébet Nagy Project Coordinator and  
  • Ádám Kovács IT staff member 

More information about the Partners Hungary Foundation: https://partnershungary.hu/hu_hu/ 

By applying, you accept the terms of this privacy notice:

Data Management Awareness Partners Hungary Foundation Laptop application

PHA wishes you a successful application! 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2 

To distribute 7000 HP laptops through a call for applications 

for educational institutions 

 

 

Background information: 

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 laptops to children and their families fleeing from the war of aggression, as well as to the organizations and educational institutions helping them. The donation is being made by Business Coalition for Education, of which HP Inc. is a member, through the International Step by Step Association. In Hungary, the donation will be distributed by Partners Hungary Foundation. 

Partners Hungary Foundation considers it of utmost importance to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster provoked by the war in Ukraine which broke out on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and inclusion of families, children, persons in adult education, or in justified cases, persons who cannot be classified into any of these categories, fleeing to Hungary or forced to flee within the borders of Ukraine.  

In line with the donor's intentions, the laptops will be distributed primarily to organizations, formal and informal groups engaged in helping refugees, organizations and institutions fulfilling educational and public education functions, as well as to educators, refugee children and families. 

Two types of calls for applications are announced: 

  1. Call for applications for NGOs and other organisations supporting refugees and for their clients (application form for NGOs), and 
  1. Call for applications for educational institutions, organisations, groups, as well as for professionals providing educational services and for their pupils, students - the present Call for Applications (application form for educational institutions). 

 

The most important principles of the project: 

  • SpeedThe laptops should be distributed to the beneficiaries as soon as possible so that they may be used right away for efficient learning, free time activities and finding information as the school year has already begun. 
  • Trustworthiness: We want to make sure that the laptops are indeed made available for children and families in need and to the teachers, organisations and educational institutions that support them, and we want to prevent any potential misuse as much as possible. 
  • Cooperation: Cooperation among volunteers, professionals and organizations engaged in the work with refugees is very important, because it is only through sharing information, complementing each other's competences, thinking and acting together, and showing solidarity that we can respond to constantly changing needs. 
  • Sustainability: We want to make sure that the laptops are used for a long time, that their capacity is fully exploited for the service of the beneficiaries, and that the entire teacher and student community benefits from their use, especially in the case of educational institutions. 
  • Monitoring, impact measurement: We would like to evaluate how having access to laptops impacted the lives of the beneficiaries; we will use the Most Significant Change methodology for this purpose. 
  • Transparency: We want to distribute the laptops in a transparent way, while ensuring compliance with the rules on the processing of personal data. A list of names of successful Applicants, the number of laptops still available, and information about the Call for Applications will be made available on our website. 

 

The goal of this Call for Applications: 

To support educational institutions that provide teaching, training, language teaching, tutoring, mental health and psychological support, sports and recreation activities, and accommodation to students fleeing from Ukraine, and also provide support to their families (accommodation, social and integration services, help and mental health support to vulnerable groups), by providing them with laptops and computer support for their services, thus supporting their professional work. To improve the quality of life of students in close support contact with these educational institutions, improve their access to educational services, facilitate their access to Ukrainian online education, improve their labour market prospects, help them spend their free time in a useful way, provide them with support in official procedures, support them in maintaining contact with their families and members of their community. 

Should the number of requests exceed the number of laptops available in the project, preference will be given to refugees living in Hungary and the institutions helping them. 

 

Who can apply? 

This is an open call for applications. The following entities may apply: 

  • educational institutions and higher education institutions, 
  • not-for-profit and for-profit business organisations, 
  • informal groups and organisations, self-help groups, etc. 

that are engaged in providing education, accommodation, mental health support, and sports and recreation activities to students fleeing from the war. 

 

Applicants may request laptops for the following beneficiary persons:  

  • For personal use by students in elementary school, vocational school, secondary school, university, or adult training, 
  • Pedagogues, teachers, trainers, language teachers, support practitioners, and volunteers in contractual relationship with the institution, who are actively engaged in supporting refugees, to support them in their professional work and for personal use, 
  • Independent pedagogues, teachers, language teachers and mental health professionals who work at the institution and are actively engaged in supporting refugees, 
  • In justified cases, for personal use by other persons in contractual relationship with the institution, and 
  • In justified cases, for other educational purposes. 

 

The following entities are excluded from the Call for Applications: 

  • political parties, political party foundations, 
  • state, government and budgetary bodies and their institutions, 
  • municipalities. 

 

The subject matter of the Call for Applications: 

New HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convertible laptops donated by HP Inc. with English and Ukrainian keyboards, excellent for everyday use. The laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processors, 8-16GB RAM memory size, and 256-1TB storage capacity. Laptop type will be selected based on the applications received and the intended use. 

 

Rules on the number of laptops that may be requested: 

  • Laptops requested for the institution's volunteers and for staff members participating in the work with refugees, employed by the Applicant or in other contractual relationship with the Applicant: 
  • A maximum of 1 laptop per professional may be requested for educators, teachers, and support practitioners working with refugee students. 
  • A maximum of 3 laptops per institution may be requested for volunteers engaged in the work with refugee students, provided that laptop use is indispensable for their work. 
  • A maximum of 10 additional laptops may be requested for ensuring other services. 

In any case, laptop use must be indispensable for the activity indicated above, and a justification must be provided for the request on the application form.  

 

Application procedure: 

Applications may only be submitted electronically via the online application form available at the following link:  

  • No additional documents need to be submitted along with the online application form. 
  • Application deadline: January 9, 2023 
  • Applications will be evaluated, and results will be announced on a continuous basis. 

 

Evaluation: 

Applications will be evaluated, and the type and number of laptops to be awarded will be determined by an evaluation committee, taking into consideration the general rules on conflict of interest, and based on the following evaluation criteria: 

  • Fully completed application form, 
  • Coherence of information provided in the application form, 
  • Complexity of services provided for refugees. 

 

Preference will be given to Applicants who: 

  • work in close cooperation with the concerned and participating bodies, organisations, individuals, and institutions, 
  • make additional commitments, or provide additional services for the beneficiary persons, including but not limited to the following: 
  • collecting the awarded laptops from Budapest in person, 
  • installing Windows operating system on the laptops using the product key provided by the donor, 
  • installing Office 365 software on the laptops from own resources, 
  • teaching computer skills for users, 
  • installing educational software on the laptops, 
  • if the beneficiaries are children, installing age-restriction filters on the laptops, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of the laptops, 
  • providing internet access for the laptops, 
  • providing printer and scanner use, etc., if needed. 

The evaluation committee may request further information from the institutions before it makes its final decision. The committee's decision made in the exercise of its discretion will be final. Additional requests concerning the number and type of laptops will not be considered. 

 

Prerequisites to collecting the awarded laptops: 

  • Filling in and submitting the End User Data Sheet sent electronically upon submitting the online application form with the data of the beneficiary persons and the information about the intended use of the laptops. The processing of the personal data of the beneficiary persons is governed by the Data Privacy Information Sheet; 
  • Signed Grant Contract between Partners Hungary and the successful Applicant in regard to the laptops remaining in the institution's ownership; 
  • Signed Agency Contract between Partners Hungary and the successful Applicant in regard to the laptops donated to the beneficiary persons. 

 

If you have any further questions, please contact the project team via the following email address: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • Kata Kárász, Project Manager, 
  • Erzsébet Emese Nagy, Project Coordinator, and 
  • Adam Bagu, IT officer 

 

Find out more about Partners Hungary Foundation at: https://partnershungary.hu/hu_hu/ 

By submitting your application, you accept the data privacy policy of this program:

Privacy Policy Partners Hungary Foundation Laptop Program

 

PHF wishes you success with your application! 

 

 

 

 

2. VOTE ON THE TENDER

for the replacement of 7000 HP laptops through a tender 

 

for educational institutions 

 

 Preliminary information: 

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 notebooks to children affected by war and their families, as well as to the organizations and educational institutions that support them. The donation is made by the Business Coalition for Education, of which HP Inc. is a member, through the International Steps Association. Donations are made in Hungary by the Partners Hungary Alapítvány. 

Ugorsky Foundation "Partners Hungary Foundation" considers it extremely important to address the consequences of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war in Ukraine, which began on 24 August 2022,  i in particular підтримку integration and access to education simae, children, participantiin education for the elderly or in other cases persons who cannot be classified in one of these categories, those who have fled from the war to Ukraine or who are willing to fight within the borders of Ukraine 

Based on the donors' needs, the laptops are also being promoted among organisations working with women, formal and informal groups, organisations and institutions that carry out educational and social-educational tasks, as well as teachers, children and families of women. 

We publish two types of tenders: 

  1. Tender for community-based organisations and organisations that help women and their families (tendering process for public sector organisations 
  1. Call for tenders for educational institutions, organisations and providers of educational services and their students - open call for tenders (Tenders for educational institutions) 

 

Key principles of our application: 

Speed:Laptops should be in the possession of beneficiaries for as long as possible, so that after the start of the academic year they can become useful tools for effective teaching, learning and learning. 

Excellence:we want to ensure that laptops are available for the use of children, babies, teachers, organisations and educational institutions that support them, and that we can maximise the potential for use. 

Spivpratsya:We consider the cooperation of volunteers, professionals and organisations working in support of women to be very important, as we believe that by sharing information, by sharing information, sharing competences, thinking and acting together, and committing ourselves to solidarity, we can only respond to consumers who are constantly changing 

Stability:we want to ensure that the tools are of benefit to the beneficiaries in the long term and that, where possible - especially in the case of higher education institutions - they bring benefits to all students and learners. 

Further actionWe would like to assess the impact of access to a laptop on the lives of beneficiaries; we will do this using the Most Significant Change method. 

Foresight:We want to carry out the processing of notebooks in a pro-active manner, in compliance with the rules on the processing of personal data. A list of the promoters, the number of laptops still available and information on tenders will be available on our website. 

 

The purpose of this call for tenders: 

Support for organisations providing assistance to families of foreign citizens (housing, social, integration services, support for different groups, etc.) and their children by providing them with laptops, as well as providing a computer background for services via laptops, thus supporting professional work. Reducing the quality of life of employees who have close links with organisations, reducing their access to learning services, reducing their situation in the labour market, assisting them with leisure time, managing their service issues, supporting their relationships with members of their families and communities, etc. 

If the inward investment is too much, we will give thanks to those who live in Ukraine and to those who help them. 

 

Who can apply? 

  • The tender is open. In this round of the call for tenders, applications may be submitted by: 
  • educational and higher education institutions, 
  • non-commercial and commercial companies,  
  • informal groups and support organisations for women, self-help groups, etc, 

which provide education, housing, mental health support and sporta and supplementary courses for students who are affected by the war. 

 

Applicants may apply for the admission of laptops for such beneficiaries: 

  • For special use by students in the early grades, students in vocational or intermediate schools, university students or those who have been affected by war, 
  • For the individual, helping them to carry out their activities, tutors, vocational trainers, language trainers, support workers and volunteers who have a contractual relationship with the institution and work intensively with the women, 
  • Non-exclusive teachers, language teachers, language instructors and mental health specialists who work in the institution and are actively involved with women, 
  • In specific cases for individual use for additional persons in a contractual relationship, as well as 
  • In some cases for other educational purposes. 

 

 

The following are not eligible to apply: 

  • political parties, party foundations, 
  • public, governmental, budgetary bodies and their institutions, 
  • residentsi self-development  

 

 

Subject of the application: 

Absolutely new HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convert laptops with English and Ukrainian keyboard, ideal for everyday use, presented by HP Inc. Laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processor, 8-16 GB RAM and 256-1 TB of RAM. Depending on the type of notebook you need, we will select the type of notebook for your needs according to your intended use. 

 

Rules on the number of laptops that may be submitted for tender: 

For workers who work with women and who are in an established employment or other contractual relationship with the applicant organisation and the organisation's volunteers: 

  • Maximum 1 laptop for teachers, tutors and support specialists who work with female students. 
  • Maximum of 3 laptops per department for volunteers working with female students, if the use of a laptop is essential for their work. 
  • for the execution of other service functions, you can set an additional max. 10 laptops. 
  • In all cases, the condition is that the use of the laptop is necessary for the intended purpose, which must be stated when the application form is completed. 

 

Submitting an application: 

  • Applications may only be submitted electronically using the application form available on the website:application forms 
  • No additional documents are required in addition to the electronic application. 
  • The deadline for submission of the application is on Thursday, 9 1 March 2023 
  • Evaluation and voting on the results of the applications received will be ongoing. 

 

Evaluation of applications: 

The evaluation committee will make a decision on the evaluation of the applications, the type and number of laptops awarded, taking into account the general rules on conflict of interest, based on these evaluation criteria: 

  • Forwarding of the application form, 
  • The usefulness of the information provided on the application form, 
  • The scope of services provided by the applicant organisation to support women. 

 

The priority will be given to applicants who: 

  • work in close cooperation with the relevant and designated authorities, bodies and individuals, 
  • undertake additional obligations and provide additional services to beneficiaries, including but not limited to the following: 
  • special selection and delivery of winning laptops from Budapest, 
  • install the Windows operating system with the code provided by the donor, 
  • install Office 365 software on laptops at the cost of your own resources, 
  • computer literacy training, 
  • in the event of an unreliable power supply, the supply of notebooks with a low-voltage filter, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of laptops, 
  • providing access to the Internet for the use of laptops, 
  • ensuring the use of the printer and scanner when necessary. 

 

The Review Committee may request additional information from the organisations in order to reach a final decision. Its discretionary decision is final. We are not able to consider additional notes on the number and type of laptops. 

 

In case of a successful tender, the conditions for obtaining the laptops are: 

  • Electronic filing and submission of the table дThe application must be accompanied by a list of beneficiaries and information on the use of laptops after the application has been submitted. The treatment of personal data of beneficiaries is foreseen in the Data Management Information; 
  • Establishment of a support contract between Partners Hungary Foundation and the promoter for laptops that remain the property of the institution; 
  • Conclusion of a contract of transfer between Partners Hungary Foundation and the promoter of laptops transferred to beneficiaries. 

 

If you have any further questions, please contact the project team at the e-mail address below:laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • Project Manager Kata Kárász, 
  • project coordinator Emese Erzsébet Nagy ta 
  • ІТ-PRцівник Ádám Kovács 

PH_AT_Laptop_1102_KK_UA

More information about Partners Hungary:https://partnershungary.hu/hu_hu/ 

We wish you a successful application! 

 

The Bernar Van Leer Foundation works to create a caring environment through research and practical programmes. This year's articles, now translated into English, focus on everyday environmental protection and our relationship with nature, and provide empowering, practical examples of good practice. Now you can hear them interpreted by Karina Kecskés.

 

Stop saying "It's going to be OK" and other ideas for talking to children about the climate crisis

The bad news about climate change has reached our children: they hear it on the news, in classrooms and in everyday conversations. We need to encourage young children to play outdoors and show them that we value their relationships with plants and animals. Children aged 7-8 are already able to take in more complex, gently dosed information related to their own lives and the lives of the communities around them.
 

What NOT to do:

  1. Don't present very young children with climate news for adults.
  2. Let's not say that young people will solve this problem. It is the responsibility of adults to act as soon as possible!
  3. Let's not say "everything will be fine".

WHAT DO WE DO?

  1.  Let's be calm and simple and tell the truth, in words appropriate to their age. Young children cannot understand complex science. Instead, talk about the climate situation using stories about people, places, nature and animals that they can relate to: why is the Arctic fox disappearing in northern Sweden? Should we cycle to school? Why are worms important?
  2. Let us show that there is hope. Let's say, "Yes, climate change is a serious problem, but because we humans caused it, we can fix it. In fact, we already know what to do. It just takes a lot of us." Let's talk about the people, organisations, companies that are already working on the solution.
  3. Let's talk about possible solutions. The younger the child, the more important it is to talk about solutions. Look for positive initiatives in your environment and talk about them with your child. Ask them how they can join in.
  4. Let's take action together. It is good to establish sustainable behaviour and active citizenship as a norm from a young age.
  5. Let's connect with nature. Talk about how humans are part of nature and encourage our children to help animals in need.
  6. Take care of processing your own emotions. Remember that difficult feelings are a sign that we understand the situation and help us to find the strength to act.
  7. Give space to children's emotions. By working through emotions and information together, both children and adults will - paradoxically - feel more confident and empowered to keep working for change.

Watch the video!

 

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE!

How to talk to children about climate change

Plant-based diets: better for the planet but healthy for children? 

Researchers estimate that a gradual shift to a plant-based diet would reduce CO2 emissions by 8 gigatonnes per year. This would be a huge achievement: around 15% of the amount CO2 emissions would have to fall to keep global temperature rise below 1.5C by 2050 (Roe et al., 2019). This is backed up by health evidence: research shows that adults following vegan and vegetarian diets get all the nutrients they need. Of course, activists also stress that animal welfare concerns are also taken into account. But what about pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children? They need more energy, protein and micronutrients. Is a plant-based diet healthy for them too?

 

What is the official recommendation?

The official recommendation stresses that a plant-based diet should be carefully planned during pregnancy and early childhood. According to a US industry association, the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, "properly planned vegan, lacto-vegan, lacto-ovo-vegan is appropriate for all ages, including during pregnancy and lactation" (Melina et al, The Nutrition Committee of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is more cautious: "Vegan diets should only be followed under appropriate medical or dietetic supervision and parents should be aware that failure to ensure adequate supplementation may have serious consequences." (Fewtrell et al., 2017).

 

What should parents look out for?

Expectant mothers and parents who are considering plant-based feeding for their children are particularly recommended to ensure adequate intakes of the following eight nutrients (Müller et al., 2020):

  • Iron is crucial for a child's central nervous system development. While it is true that many plant-based foods contain iron, it is more difficult for the body to absorb it than animal-based iron. Some vegetables, seeds and whole grains contain phytic acid, which inhibits its absorption.
  • Zinc supports the immune system, and although there are zinc-rich vegetables and grains, phytic acid also inhibits zinc absorption.
  • Iodine is essential for physical and neurological development. It is mainly found in foods and dairy products from the sea, and some sea plants are rich in iodine, and iodised salt is also sold.
  • Omega-3 and other polyunsaturated fatty acids are also essential for a child's neurodevelopment. They are found mainly in animal foods, but there are also plant-based sources, such as certain seeds and vegetables.
  • Calcium is needed for proper bone density. It is found in green leafy vegetables but is predominantly found in dairy products.
  • Vitamin D is also essential for healthy bone growth. The main dietary sources are dairy products and oily fish, but some plant foods also contain vitamin D and the body also produces it when exposed to sunlight.

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency in breastfeeding mothers can affect the neurodevelopment of their babies. B12 is mainly found in animal products, so those following a vegan diet need to supplement or eat foods fortified with vitamin B12.
  • The protein in vegetables often lacks the variety of essential amino acids found in animal products such as meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. A well-planned plant-based diet can address most of these challenges, but a vegan diet should always be supplemented with B12 and often vitamin D, and in some cases other micronutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids may be needed for pregnant women. Parents should also be aware that a plant-based diet is high in fibre, so the child will feel full quickly.

 

Given the growing interest in plant-based diets and their positive effects on our environment, more research is needed in this area. Expectant women, parents and carers, health professionals need accurate guidance to make the best possible decisions for their children.

 

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO:

 

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE!

Is a plant-based diet safe for children

We need to connect with nature every day - for children too!

Research indicates that, for children and adults alike, experiences in the natural world can have a very positive impact on mental and physical well-being and improve learning skills. Spending time in nature calms children, helps them focus their attention and reduces the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It can also improve cognitive skills, reduce the risk of childhood obesity and help reduce myopia.

"'Nature-deficit disorder' is not a medical diagnosis, but rather a useful terminology - a metaphor - to describe the view held by many of us, and supported by recent research, that humanity is paying a high price for alienation from nature. Of course, nature is not a cure-all, but it can be a great help, especially for children who are stressed by circumstances beyond their control.

What exactly do we mean by nature?

Natural environments are not only found in the wilderness, but also in the city. It can be a park, a quiet corner with trees, some vegetables in pots by the door, or even a quiet place where you can see the sky and the clouds. Nature is often found even in dense urban environments.

Connecting with nature should be a daily occurrence, and if we design our cities to be in harmony with nature and biodiversity, it becomes self-evident.

How can we inform children about climate change without "painting the future of nature too dark"?

The American Psychiatric Association describes climate stress as a "chronic fear of environmental catastrophe". An article in the Lancet says that symptoms of climate anxiety include panic attacks, insomnia and obsessive thinking. Many children experience all of this.

Data alone rarely move people from awareness to action. Young people absolutely need to know about environmental harms, but they also need direct experience of nature. Both to enjoy it and to have more than an abstract concept of nature. They may know a lot about climate change and the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, but they often don't know what lives in the empty lot near them, in the local pond or park.

By connecting ourselves and our children directly to nature, we can not only learn to deal with the effects of losing nature, but we can also sow the seeds - literally - for a future rich in nature.

 

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO!

 

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE!

Children's connection with nature is important

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

7000 HP laptops to be allocated through a tender 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

To distribute 7000 HP laptops through a call for applications - English below

CALL FOR TENDER 

for the replacement of 7000 HP laptops through a tender - lower ukraine

 

Background information:

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 laptops to children and their families fleeing war aggression, as well as to organisations and educational institutions supporting them. The devices are being donated by the Business Coalition for Education, of which HP Inc. is a member, through the International Step by Step Association. The donation will be distributed in Hungary by Partners Hungary Foundation. 

The Partners Hungary Foundation considers it of utmost importance to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and integration of families, children, adult education students or, in justified cases, persons who cannot be classified in any of these categories, who are fleeing to Hungary or are forced to flee within the borders of Ukraine.  

Based on the donor's intentions, the laptops will be distributed mainly to refugee organisations, formal and informal groups, organisations and institutions with educational and public education functions, as well as to teachers, refugee children and families. 

There are two types of call for proposals:  

  1. Call for proposals for NGOs, organisations and their clients supporting refugees (this call for proposals) 
  2. The competition is open to educational institutions, organisations, associations and professionals providing educational services and their pupils and students. 

 

Key principles of our programme:

  • Speed: Our aim is to get the laptops to the beneficiaries as soon as possible, so that they can become useful tools for effective learning, leisure and information as soon as the school year starts.
  • Reliability: We are determined to make sure that laptops are available to children, families, teachers and the organisations and educational institutions that support them, and to filter out potential misuse as much as possible.
  • Cooperation: We believe it is very important for volunteers, professionals and organisations working to support refugees to work together, because we believe that by sharing information, complementing each other's competences, thinking and acting together, and showing solidarity, we can only reflect on the ever-changing needs.
  • Sustainability: Our aim is to ensure that the tools are at the service of the beneficiaries in the longer term and at the capacity of the tools, and where possible, especially in the case of educational institutions, for the benefit of the whole community of teachers and pupils.
  • Tracking, impact measurement: We would like to assess the impact that access to a laptop has had on the lives of beneficiaries; we will monitor this using the Most Significant Change methodology.
  • Transparency: We would like to distribute laptops in a transparent way, while respecting the rules on the processing of personal data. On our website, you will be able to follow the list of winning organisations, the number of laptops still available and information about the applications.

 

This call for proposals aims to:

To support organisations providing services to refugee families from Ukraine (accommodation, social, integration services, support to vulnerable groups, etc.) and their clients by providing laptops, and to provide computer support for services through laptops, thus strengthening professional work. Improving the quality of life of clients in close contact with the organisations, improving their access to educational services, improving their labour market situation, helping them to spend their free time in a useful way, managing their official affairs, supporting their contacts with their families and communities, etc. 

If the needs exceed the possibilities, preference will be given to those living in Hungary and those who can help them.  

 

Who can apply? 

The competition is open. You can apply in this call for proposals:  

  • NGOs supporting refugees: associations, foundations, social cooperatives, etc. 
  • non-profit and for-profit business associations supporting refugees, 
  • informal groups and organisations supporting refugees, self-help groups, etc.

 

They cannot apply for, among others:   

  • political parties, party foundations, 
  • public, governmental and budgetary bodies and their institutions, 
  • local authorities and their institutions, 
  • natural persons. 

 

Subject of the application:  

The new HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convert laptops donated by HP Inc. are equipped with English and Ukrainian keyboards and are perfect for general user purposes. The laptops feature a Core i3-i7 processor, 8-16GB of RAM and 256-1TB of storage space. The type of laptops to be allocated will be determined according to the purpose of use, depending on the demand received. 

 

Rules on the number of laptops that can be used: 

  • Staff working with refugees and volunteers of the applicant organisation who have a registered employment or other contractual relationship with the applicant organisation: 
  • if the organisation also provides accommodation: 1 laptop per 10 families 
  • if the organisation provides day care: 1 laptop per 25 families. 
    • Where justified, up to 3 additional laptops may be required for certain service functions. 
  • For refugees, if: 
  • children in public education,  
  • young people in higher education,  
  • people involved in adult learning,  
    • and, where justified, persons who do not fall into one of these categories. 

In all cases, the use of a laptop must be indispensable for the above activities and must be justified when filling in the application form. 

 

Submission of the application: 

The application must be submitted electronically to the on

  • No additional documents need to be submitted with the completed electronic application.  
  • The deadline for submission of applications is 30 November 2022.  
  • The evaluation of the applications received and the announcement of the results are ongoing. 

 

Evaluation of applications: 

The evaluation of the applications, the type and quantity of laptops awarded will be decided by a panel of judges, taking into account the general rules on conflicts of interest, on the basis of the following evaluation criteria: 

  • Complete the application form in full, 
  • Coherence of the information provided in the application form, 
  • The complexity of the applicant organisation's services to support refugees. 

 

Preference will be given to applicants who: 

  • work in close cooperation with relevant and participating bodies, organisations and individuals, 
  • make additional commitments or provide additional services to the beneficiary persons, including but not limited to: 
  • personal collection and delivery of the winning laptops from Budapest, 
  • install the Windows operating system with the code provided by the donor, 
  • install Office 365 software on laptops from your own resources, 
  • teaching computer skills, 
  • in the case of minor beneficiaries, the age filtering of laptops, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of laptops, 
  • the provision of internet access for the use of laptops, 
  • the use of a printer and scanner, if necessary, etc. 

The panel may request further information from the organisations to help it reach its final decision. Its decision in the exercise of its discretion is final. We will not be able to consider any further requests regarding the number and type of laptops.  

 

In the event of a successful application, the laptops will be delivered to: 

  • Once the application has been submitted, fill in and send the spreadsheet sent electronically with the data of the beneficiaries and information on the use of the laptops;
  • The processing of the personal data of the beneficiaries is governed by the Privacy Notice;
  • The conclusion of a grant contract between Partners and the successful applicant;
  • Conclusion and submission of scanned copies of grant contracts signed by the successful applicant and beneficiaries;
  • Signature of the handover protocol.  

 

For further questions, please contact the project team at the following e-mail address: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • Kata Kárász Project Manager, 

  • Emese Erzsébet Nagy Project Coordinator 

By applying you accept the Laptop application data management informationin.

PHA wishes you a successful application!   

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

To distribute 7000 HP laptops through a call for applications

 

Background information: 

HP Inc. offers 7000 laptops to children and their families fleeing from the war of aggression, as well as to the organizations and educational institutions helping refugees. The devices are donated by the Business Coalition for Education, of which HP is a member, through the International Step by Step Association. In Hungary, the donation will be distributed by Partners Hungary Foundation. 

Partners Hungary Foundation considers it of utmost importance to help mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian disaster provoked by the war in Ukraine which broke out on 24 February 2022, especially to support the access to education and inclusion of families, children, persons in adult education, or in justified cases, persons who outside these categories, fleeing to Hungary or forced to relocate within the borders of Ukraine. 

In line with the donor's intentions, the laptops will be distributed primarily to organisations, formal and informal groups engaged in supporting refugees, organisations and institutions fulfilling vocational and public education functions, as well as to educators, refugee children and families.

Two types of calls for applications are published:

  1. Call for Applications for NGOs and other organisations supporting refugees and for their clients (the present Call for Applications).
  2. Call for applications for educational institutions, organisations, groups, as well as for professionals providing educational services and for their pupils, students.

 

The most important principles of the project:

  • SpeedThe laptops shall be distributed to the beneficiaries as soon as possible so that they can be put into use right away for efficient learning, useful free time activities and obtaining information as the school year has already begun.
  • Trustworthiness: It is important that the laptops are made available exclusively for refugee children and families, as well as their teachers, the organisations and educational institutions that support them in order to prevent any potential misuse.
  • Cooperation: Cooperation among volunteers, professionals and organizations engaged in working with refugees is of key importance. We are convinced that responsiveness to constantly changing needs is only possible through sharing information, complementing each other's competences, collective action and reflection, and solidarity.
  • Sustainability: Our aim is to make sure that the laptops are made use of in the long run, their capacity is fully exploited in favour of the beneficiaries, and, especially in educational institutions, the entire community of teachers and students benefits from them.
  • Monitoring, impact measurement: We shall evaluate how the access to laptops impacted the lives of the beneficiaries; the Most Significant Change methodology shall be used for this purpose.
  • Transparency: We shall conduct the distribution of the laptops in a transparent way along with strict compliance with the regulations on personal data privacy. The names of successful applicants, the number of available laptops, and information on the application process will be made available on our website.

 

The goal of this call for applications: 

Our goal is to support NGOs in their activities aimed at supporting refugee families from Ukraine (accommodation, social and integration services, supporting vulnerable groups, etc.) by providing them with laptops and IT support for their services, thus empowering their professional work. We also aim to improve the quality of life of clients supported by the organizations, to increase their access to educational services, to improve their labour market prospects, to help them spend their free time in a meaningful way, to provide them with support in official procedures, and to support them in communicating with their families and members of their community, etc.

Should the number of requests exceed the number of laptops available in the project, preference will be given to refugees living in Hungary and the organizations helping them.

 

Who can apply? 

This is an open call. The following entities may apply:  

    • NGOs providing support for refugees: associations, foundations, social cooperatives, etc.
  • non-profit and for-profit business organisations providing support for refugees,
  • informal groups, organisations and self-help groups supporting refugees, etc.

 

The following entities are excluded from the application process:

    • political parties, political party foundations,
    • state, government and budgetary bodies and their institutions, 
    • municipalities and their institutions,
  • natural persons.

 

The subject matter of the Call for Applications:

New HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convertible laptops donated by HP Inc. with English and Ukrainian keyboards convenient for everyday use. The laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processors, 8-16GB RAM memory size, and 256-1TB storage capacity. Laptop type will be selected based on the applications received and their intended use.

 

Rules on the number of laptops requested:

  • Laptops requested for staff members engaged in the work with refugees employed by the organization or in other contractual relationship with the organization: 
  • if the organisation provides accommodation: 1 laptop per 10 families,
  • if the organization provides daytime care services: 1 laptop per 25 families may be requested.
    • In justified cases, a maximum of 3 additional laptops may be requested for ensuring certain services.
    • Laptops may be requested for refugees belonging to the following categories: 
      • children participating in public education,  
      • adults pursuing higher education studies,  
      • persons in adult education,
      • and in justified cases, for persons not belonging to any of these categories.

In any case, laptop use must be indispensable for the activity indicated above, and a justification must be provided for the request in the Application Form.

 

Application process:

Applications may only be submitted electronically via the online Application Form at: 

  • https://forms.gle/9AV41Ex9FYEPzeeYA  
  • No additional documents need to be submitted along with the online Application Form.
  • Application deadline: 30 November 2022
  • Applications will be evaluated and results will be announced on a continuous basis.

 

Evaluation: 

Applications will be evaluated and the type and number of laptops to be awarded will be determined by an Evaluation Committee with respect to the general rules on conflict of interest and based on the following evaluation criteria:

  • Submission of a fully completed Application Form, 
  • Coherence of information provided in the Application Form,
  • Complexity of services provided for refugees. 

 

Preference will be given to Applicants who:

  • work in close cooperation with the concerned and participating bodies, organisations and individuals,
  • make additional commitments, or provide additional services for the beneficiary persons, including but not limited to the following: 
  • collecting the awarded laptops from Budapest in person,
  • installing Windows operating system on the laptops using the product key provided by the donor, 
  • installing Office 365 software on the laptops from own resources, 
  • teaching computer skills for users, 
  • if the beneficiaries are children, installing age-restriction filters on the laptops, 
  • technical and software maintenance and servicing of the laptops, 
  • providing internet access for the laptops, 
  • providing printer and scanner use, etc., if needed.
  • The Evaluation Committee may request further information from the organizations before it makes its final decision. The committee's decision within its margin of discretion shall be final. Additional requests concerning the number and type of laptops will not be considered.

 

Prerequisites to collecting the awarded laptops: 

  • Filling in and electronically submitting an excel sheet with the data of the beneficiary persons and the information about the intended use of the laptops. The sheets will be received upon submission of the online application.
  • Protecting privacy of beneficiaries' data as specified in the Privacy Policy;
  • Signing a grant contract between Partners Hungary and the successful Applicant;
  • Signing grant contracts between the successful Applicant and the beneficiary persons, and submitting scanned copies of these contracts;
  • Signing an itemized Acceptance Protocol.

 

If you have any further questions, please contact the Project Team via the following email address: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu 

  • Kata Kárász, Project Manager, 
  • Elisabeth Emese Nagy, Project Coordinator

By submitting your application, you accept the data privacy policy of this program:

Privacy Policy Partners Hungary Foundation Laptop Program

 

PHF wishes you success with your application!    

 

 

CALL FOR TENDER 

for the replacement of 7000 HP laptops through a tender

 

Preliminary information:

Preliminary information:

HP Inc. is donating 7,000 notebooks to children affected by war and their families, as well as to the organizations and educational institutions that support them. The donation is made by the Business Coalition for Education, of which HP Inc. is a member, through the International Steps Association. Donations are made in Hungary by the Partners Hungary Alapítvány.

Partners Hungary Fund Foundation considers it of utmost importance to address the consequences of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war in Ukraine, which started on 24 August 2022, and in particular to support integration and access to education for the poor, children, participants in pre-school education or, in special cases, persons who cannot be classified in one of these categories, who are displaced by the war to Ukraine or who are forced to travel within the borders of Ukraine. 

Based on the donors' needs, the laptops are also being promoted among organisations working with women, formal and informal groups, organisations and institutions that carry out educational and social-educational tasks, as well as teachers, children and families of women.

We publish two types of tenders:

  1. Tender for Community organisations and organisations providing assistance to women and their families (business tender).
  2. Tender for educational institutions, organisations and providers of educational services and their students.

 

Key principles of our application:

  • Speed: Laptops should be in the possession of beneficiaries for as long as possible, so that after the start of the academic year they can become useful tools for effective teaching, learning and learning.
  • Excellence: We want to ensure that laptops б outdoor available for children's consumption, We need to know more about the people, teachers, organisations and educational institutions that support them and to maximise the potential for learning. 
  • Spivpratsya: We consider the cooperation of volunteers, professionals and organisations working in support of women to be very important, as we believe that, by sharing information, complementing each other's competences, thinking and acting together, and committing to solidarity, we can only react for consumers who are constantly changing
  • Stability: we want to ensure that the tools are at the service of the beneficiaries in the long term and that, where possible - especially in the case of higher education institutions - they bring benefits to the whole spectrum of students and learners.
  • Further action, mitigation of the impact: we would like to assess the impact of access to a laptop on the lives of beneficiaries; we will do this by Most Significant Change (Naibilsh Sutnevi Zminni).
  • Foresight: We want to carry out the processing of notebooks in a pro-active manner, in compliance with the rules on the processing of personal data. A list of the promoters, the number of laptops still available and information on tenders will be available on our website.

 

The purpose of this call for tenders: 

Support for organisations providing assistance to families of foreign citizens (housing, social, integration services, support for different groups, etc.) and their children by providing them with laptops, as well as providing a computer background for services via laptops, thus supporting professional work. Reducing the quality of life of students who have close links with organisations, reducing their access to learning services, reducing their situation in the labour market, helping them to spend their free time, managing their service rights, supporting their relations with members their houses and buildings, etc..

If the inward investment is too much, we will give thanks to those who live in Ukraine and to those who help them. 

 

Who can apply?

The tender is open. In this round of the call for tenders, applications may be submitted by:

    • NGOs that support women: associations, foundations, social cooperatives, etc.
  • non-commercial and commercial companies that support women,
  • informal groups and support organisations for women, self-help groups, etc. 

 

The following are not eligible to apply:

    • political parties, party foundations,
  • public, governmental, budgetary bodies and their institutions,
    • local self-government bodies and their institutions,
  • physical persons.

 

Subject of the application:

Absolutely new HP240-480G8/EliteDesk/ProBook/Pavilion/x360Convert laptops with English and Ukrainian keyboard, ideal for everyday use, presented by HP Inc. Laptops are equipped with Core i3-i7 processor, 8-16 GB RAM and 256-1 TB of RAM. Depending on the type of notebook you need, we will select the type of notebook for your needs according to your intended use.

 

Rules on the number of laptops that may be submitted for tender:

    • For workers who work with women and who are in an established employment or other contractual relationship with the applicant organisation and the organisation's volunteers:
      • if the organisation also provides accommodation: 1 laptop for 10 people
      • if the organisation provides day-care: 1 laptop per 25 persons can be requested.
  • In some cases, you can also request a maximum of 1,000 additional servicing functions. 3 laptops.
  • For women, yakщo:
  • children who participate in public education,
  • young people who have a high level of education,
  • individuals who participate in pre-school education,
  • and, in limited cases, persons who cannot be classified in one of these categories.

In all cases, the condition is that the use of the laptop is necessary for the intended purpose, which must be stated when the application form is completed.

 

Submitting an application:

Applications may only be submitted electronically using the application form available on the website: 

  • https://forms.gle/9AV41Ex9FYEPzeeYA 
  • No additional documents need to be submitted in addition to the electronic application
  • The deadline for submission of applications is 30 July 2022.
  • Evaluation and voting on the results of the applications received will take place continuously.

 

Evaluation of applications:

The Evaluation Committee shall decide on the evaluation of applications, type and number of vithranich of laptops, taking into account the general rules of conflict of interest, based on these evaluation criteria:

  • Forwarding of the application form,
  • The usefulness of the information provided on the application form,
  • The scope of services provided by the applicant organisation to support women.

 

The priority will be given to applicants who:

  • work in close cooperation with the relevant and designated authorities, bodies and individuals,
  • undertake additional obligations and provide additional services to beneficiaries, including but not limited to the following:
    • special selection and delivery of winning laptops from Budapest,
    • install the Windows operating system with the code provided by the donor,
    • install Office 365 software on laptops at the cost of your own resources,
    • computer literacy training,
    • in the event of an unreliable power supply, the supply of notebooks with a low-voltage filter,
    • technical and software maintenance and servicing of laptops,
    • providing access to the Internet for the use of laptops,
    • ensuring the use of the printer and scanner when necessary.

The Review Committee may request additional information from the organisations in order to reach a final decision. Its discretionary decision is residual. We are unable to provide additional notes on the number and type of laptops.

 

In case of a successful tender, the conditions for obtaining the laptops are:

  • After the application is submitted, a table with the details of the host and the information on the use of the laptops will be provided in electronic format;
  • The treatment of personal data of beneficiaries is described in the Data Management Information;
  • Establishment of a contract for support between Partners Hungary and the applicant-transferee;
  • Signature and delivery of a scanned copy of the grant contracts signed by the applicant-transferee and beneficiaries;
  • Signing of the itemized acceptance-transfer protocol.

 

If you have any further questions, please contact the project team at the e-mail address below: laptoppalyazat@partnershungary.hu

  • Project Manager Kata Kárász, 
  • project coordinator Emese Erzsébet Nagy ta 

More information about Partners Hungary: https://partnershungary.hu/hu_hu/ 

We wish you a successful application!

The Mátra Power Plant will phase out lignite by 2025 and will use environmentally friendly, carbon-emission-free technology. This is good news for the environment, but why are we writing about it?

In cooperation with the Energy Club and the Association of Community Developers, we held public and stakeholder forums in Gyöngyös and Karácsond on:

  • how people think the decision will affect the economy of the region;
  • what they think will happen to miners; and who they would expect to provide them with the information they need to feel well informed as citizens in the area.

On both occasions, a diverse group of people came together, with good discussions, innovative solutions and many new perspectives. Read a summary of the forums here:

We held public forums on the transformation of the Mátra Power Plant

We reached an important milestone of our COAL-OUT project at the end of November: we held two public forums in Gyöngyös and Karácsond, on the transformation of the Mátra Power Plant. The main purpose of the forums, apart from presenting the research results of the project, was to give the participants the opportunity to express their opinions, fears and expectations about the future of the Mátra Power Plant, which still defines the identity of the area. The opinions expressed at the forums will form an important part of the study being prepared for the project, which is expected to be published in February 2022 under the title "What will happen to the area after the lignite era?"

The Mátra Power Plant, which from this year will be known as MVM Mátra Energia, plans to permanently shut down its lignite blocks after 2025, but instead of closing the plant the maintenance of energy production capacity is expected to be replaced by new technologies. The COAL-OUT project will assess the impact of the transformation on the neighbourhood through research and consultations with residents. The research, which was completed in autumn this year, included an online questionnaire asking residents - mainly in the vicinity of the power plant - what they thought about the conversion. How do they feel they have enough information about the process? What opportunities and threats do they see in the transformation? What will happen to workers who are in some way linked to the power plant?

The research was followed by face-to-face consultations with residents, and the related public forums were held in Gyöngyös on 11.29 and Karácsond on 12.30, in cooperation with Energiaklub, the Association of Community Developers and Partners Hungary Foundation. The working method of the consultation was developed by Partners Hungary Foundation, and the consultation was jointly led by Kata Győri (Energiaklub) and Éva Deák (Partners). 

The events were open to local residents, people interested in the topic and stakeholders directly related to the Power Plant. Because of the sensitivity of the subject and the involvement of the participants, the consultations were held behind closed doors (excluding the press), and the participants were assured that the comments made during the forum would not be anonymised in any way, but that their needs, suggestions and ideas would be summarised and forwarded to the relevant authorities, and the study would be sent to them

The participants in the forums were very diverse in terms of their involvement, including civic residents, retired miners - who worked at the Power Plant for 30 years - trade unionists, members of parliament, deputy mayors, mayors, local councillors, researchers, Power Plant employees and local NGO leaders.

In the first part of the public forums, Kata Győri, Energy Club expert and COAL-OUT project leader, presented the results of the project's questionnaire survey, which collected 422 responses, in three main topics:

What do the public think?

  1. How will the power plant transform the economy and society of the area?
  2. What will happen to the Power Plant workers?
  3. How satisfied are the public with the information they have received about the transformation?

The presentation served as a discussion starter for the second part of the event, when the forum turned into a workshop. In the hour and a half following the presentation, participants were divided into 3 groups and used the World Cafe method to collectively seek answers to questions on each of the three themes (economy, workers, information). Each topic had a table host who collected the insights of the small group of 3 rounds on flipchart paper and presented them to the group after the joint work.  

The participants recognised that the forum was a platform where they could express their views on the issue without any consequences and were keen to participate as actively as possible in the groups from the very beginning. Some of the results of the joint group work:

  • Many questions have been raised by the public about the power plant's RDF waste incineration boiler.
  • Participants would expect regular and transparent information from the Power Plant on the transformation.
  • Local residents have recognised the air quality benefits of lignite leaching, but still fear an economic downturn in the area. 
  • The uncertainty surrounding the future of the workers should be addressed by the Power Plant as soon as possible, communicating who and how they can continue to be employed, because for the workers who are also tied to the Power Plant in their identity, the restructuring will basically mean a great psychological burden at the end of the lignit era. 

 

We see one of the greatest values of the forum in the fact that both events provided an opportunity to exchange ideas between the different stakeholders and to discuss the future of the Mátra Power Plant, which is crucial for the fate of the region. We hope that the two events were just the beginning of a process of public dialogue on this issue, which will form an integral part of the future transformation of the Power Plant.

The next milestone of the project will be the publication of a synthesis paper in February, which will include the results of the research and the detailed outcome of the group work of the forums. The Energy Club will seek to disseminate the study as widely as possible, and to send it beyond the press to the bodies primarily responsible for the transformation, namely the power plant and the responsible ministry, with the message that dialogue with the public is essential on such an important issue for the fate of the area.

What is the IN-MEDIAS project about?

The role of mediators is to act as neutral and impartial mediators in conflict situations, to defuse emotional tensions and to create an environment in which the conflict can be resolved or managed more constructively. Trained mediators need to have a broad knowledge and skills about the nature and management of conflict, whether in residential or educational communities, in the family, in the workplace or in the commercial sphere, to name but a few. The competence of the mediator is key, both within our own culture and in improving intercultural understanding.

What is the purpose of the IN-MEDIAS programme?

The project aims to provide a European platform for mediation training and services. The development of an integrated European mediation curriculum, building on the regional curricula of partner countries, will offer certification opportunities in a number of EU countries. Building on this training, the project also plans to provide in-service training for mediators to understand alternative dispute resolution and mediation processes across the EU, while acquiring the skills needed to mediate in different EU cultures. A European network of mediators is already in place. This will be further strengthened as the project builds a common understanding of how training is designed and delivered; a better understanding of certification requirements; integrated training processes to promote intercultural awareness; and EU-specific resources and publications.

Who participates in the programme?

Participants in the project include partners with expertise in mediator training:

  • Consensus, Germany (leader);
  • Partners Hungary Foundation and Mediation Centre
  • Associozione Med.Dia.Re., Italy;
  • Dialogue BV, The Netherlands;
  • Centuri Mediacji Partners, Polska, Poland; ICFML, Portugal)

and strategic partners:

  • Center of Arbitration and Mediation of Europe (CAME), Italy;
  • Mediators' Institute of Ireland (MII), Ireland;
  • Military University, Germany.

At the IN-MEDIAS consortium, we believe in the effectiveness of mediation - we have decades of experience. We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of mediation training and to the continuous professional development of mediators within their own countries.

What are the expected results of the project?

The project will deliver four concrete results over three years.

  1. Firstly, we are putting together a European mediation training course, which we will then put into practice. The training is open for applications from 8 February to 20 March 2022, and the programme website!
  2. Second, we will map the training pathways for European intermediaries, from initial training and certification to practice development.
  3. Thirdly, a common European online and interactive module (online and interactive) will be jointly developed to strengthen the intercultural capacity of mediators.
  4. Finally, based on interviews with practising mediators in the EU, a pan-European publication was published to support the training and intercultural competence of EU mediators.

 

The project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

More information:

Consensus Group

Dr Andrea Hartmann-Piraudeau

Mobile: +49 151 115 786 59 Email: hartmann@consensus-group.de

I WILL HELP WITH A FINANCIAL DONATION

It can help kindergartens, schools and disadvantaged communities to achieve goals that are driven by their own needs, keep good initiatives in place, make them sustainable and spread modern conflict management and bullying prevention methods

In our Education and Conflict Management strategic area, we are collecting for:

  • raise scholarship funds to enable nursery, kindergarten and school professionals to participate in our accredited training courses
  • raise scholarship funds to provide pro bono mediation and restorative services to nursery, kindergarten and school communities to deal with conflict and abuse situations.

In our Roma strategy area, we collect for:

  • the Roma mediators in Borsodnádasdi to run the community laundry,
  • Roma mediators in Nagydobosz can buy activity books, stationery and books,
  • the sanitary assistants in Arlo can buy cleaning products, toiletries and vitamins

In addition, we raise scholarship funds for educational institutions so that resource-poor, needy kindergartens and schools can use our conflict management and abuse management services and training pro bono: this way, modern methods such as mediation and restorative practices can reach children, parents and teachers who need them but cannot afford to pay for the service. Through community-based conflict and abuse management methods, we show what is most needed for children to have a positive vision for the future: together, by working together, we can solve our most difficult social situations!

If you cannot or do not want to take advantage of this option, you can. can also donate occasionally.
You can donate in several ways, as an individual or as a company:

Donate online: You can donate online by paying online. It works like an online shopping: you can donate by entering your credit card details in the secure DonateOnly interface. On our donation page you can also see what we can do with a donation of, say, 3000 HUF.

Bank transfer: Donations can also be made by bank transfer, via our online bank or by filling in a transfer order at a bank branch. If you choose to make a transfer, please indicate in the communication which of our activities you are supporting. Subscribe to our newsletter and find out first hand when we organise workshops, training sessions and where we can meet!

Our account number:

 

Bank:

Erste Bank Hungary Zrt.

1138 Budapest, Népfürdő utca 24-26.

Bank account number (HUF):

11600006-00000000-84237637

IBAN (HUF):

HU54116000060000000084237637

Bank account number (EUR):

11600006-00000000-84237668

IBAN (EUR):

HU90116000060000000084237668

Bank account number (USD):

11600006-00000000-84237682

IBAN (USD):

HU03116000060000000084237682

BIC (Bank Identifier Code) - SWIFT code:

GIBAHUHB

General mediation literature

  • Barcy, M., Szamos, E. (2002) "Mediare necesse est" Mediation in society application. Animula, Budapest.
  • Lovas Zsuzsa - Herczog Mária (1999) Mediation, or the painless conflict resolution Múzsák Kiadó
  • Eörsi Mátyás - Ábrahám Zita: Litigation is bad. Minerva, n.d. Edited by Dr. M. Eörsi, Dr. Z. Ábrahám,

Litigation is bad! - Mediation: the gentle way to manage conflict,Minerva Publishers

  • Decastello Alice, Mediation in health care HVG Orac publisher Budapest.
  • Kohlrieser George Hostages at the negotiating table. Conflict Resolution Masterclass, Background Publishing 2007
  • Judit Bártfai Dr., Gábor Molnár Dr., Ágnes Dósa Dr., Zsuzsanna Barinkai Dr., Kálmán Gulyás Dr.,

Mária Herczog dr., Éva Horváth dr., Mária Kutacs dr., Zsuzsanna Lovas Mediation. Mediation - extended edition - HVG ORAC

  • Dr. Ilona Görgényi, Restitution in criminal law, mediation in criminal cases HVG Orac publisher Budapest.

 

Relevant books on divorce and family matters:

  • Dr Kardos, F. (2011) Child-centred mediation. Contact mediation. Contact 2000 Psychological Betéti Társaság, Budapest.
  • Together or separately. Should we stay together or separate? Zsuzsanna Barinkai, Mária Herczog Zsuzsanna Lovas, Eszter Neményi, Katalin Rónaszéki, Complex 2002.
  • Bancroft, L., Silverman, J. G., Ritchie, D. (2013) Can an abuser be a good father? The impact of partner abuse on the parent-child relationship. Background, Budapest.
  • The place of the child in divorce mediation

 

Psychology-related books:

  • Strasser, F., Randolph, P. (2005) Media. The psychological aspects of conflict resolution.

Nyitott Könyvműhely Publishing House, Budapest.

  • Gordon, T., Burch, N. (2001) Human relations. How to build it, how to destroy it. Gordon Books, Budapest.

 

 

Communication theory:

  • E. A. Griffin: Introduction to communication theory. 2001/2003. L'Harmattan.
  • A. Reboul-J. Moeschler: The tricks of conversation. Osiris, 2000.
  • Bolton, R. The art of communication (excerpt),

In Neményiné Dr. Ilona Gyimesi (ed.): Communication Theory. Gyimia L., Linguistics, Linguistics and Media Studies, Budapest, Perfekt, 2008..

  • Rosenberg, M. B. (2001) Words are windows or walls. Non-violent communication.

Agykontroll Kft, Budapest.

 

School-related books:

  • Lisa Delpit (2007): The children of others. Official culture and minority students. Educatio, Budapest.
  • Júlia Szekszárdi (2008): New ways and means - Exercises for teaching and learning conflict management

Dinasztia Publishing House, Budapest.

  • Aranka Mészáros (1997): The phenomenology of school social psychology. ELTE Eötvös Publishing House, Budapest
  • Jenő Ranschburg (2001): The impact of family financial situation on children's behavioural problems
  • the development of. Developmental Pedagogy. No. 6.
  • Éva Sallai (1996): Can the teaching profession be taught? Veszprém University Publishing House, Veszprém.
  • Éva Sallai (2005): Integration pedagogical situation exercises. Methods for the disadvantaged
  • to help students succeed in school. Educatio, Budapest.
  • Éva Sallai (ed., 2008): Connective experiences at school. Educatio, Budapest.
  • Éva Sallai (ed., 2008):

           Social inequalities, the non-traditional family model, parental behaviour

            and child development. Educatio, Budapest.

  • Imre Szitó (2003): Communication at school. ELTE Eötvös Publishing House, Budapest.
  • Tahar Ben Jelloun (2003): Racism, as I explained to my daughter. House of Ulpius
  • Book publisher, Budapest
  • Thomas L. Good - Jere E. Brophy (2008): Open the classroom I-III. Educatio, Budapest.
  • 2József Veczkó (1990):Sociocultural harms, personality disorders in childhood and adolescence
  • context. In: Pedagogical and psychological foundations of child protection. Textbook publisher, Budapest.
  • Anna Vörös (2004) Classroom communication, teacher-student interactions. In Katalin N. Kollár
  • and Éva Szabó (eds.): Psychology for teachers. Osiris Publishing House, Budapest.
  • László Zrinszky (1993): Introduction to the theory of pedagogical communication. 

National Textbook Publishing House, Budapest.

About us

The Partners Hungary Mediation Centre was established by the Partners Hungary Foundation, an independent NGO that has been operating since 1994.The mission of the Foundation is to create and disseminate a culture of cooperation, to prevent and manage conflicts and to promote alternative conflict resolution methods. Our mediation centre contributes to this.

Our foundation is a member of Partners for Democratic Change International, ISSA and a founding member of the National Mediation Association.

In our country, intercultural mediation has been established by our foundation. Our professional credo on Roma inclusion here you can read.
The local mediation activities used in the method are coordinated by intercultural mediators. Local communities make decisions and implement plans together in response to problems that arise. We present the municipalities where our Foundation works.

Gyulaj

Gyulaj, with a population of 967, is inhabited by 70% Roma people. We have not had an active programme in the settlement for several years, but the local community action group (KACS) and the local Roma mediator, Géza Orsós, are active, as is the local municipality. What have you done over the years to help disadvantaged Roma find employment and improve their housing conditions?

  • 65 active Community Action Group members meet regularly to find solutions to local problems, with joint effort and municipal support.
  • 1,200,000 forints were raised, which was used to improve the housing conditions of 115 families: some of them had their houses and courtyards made watertight so that their residents could use wheelchairs. Some of the houses were painted, tiled, and renovated bathrooms, and others had the whole house renovated so that the family could stay together and not raise the children. The municipality also provided machinery, tools, sand, cement and bricks for the construction work.
  • More than 2300 hours of volunteer work have been put into community affairs.
  • Problem solving is always the result of joint discussions and decisions. The process is coordinated by the local intercultural mediator.
  • After many years, the pharmacy is back in operation in the village so that patients are not burdened with the cost and time of travelling.
  • Public wells have been repaired and renovated to provide clean water to families without piped water.
  • More than 70 people have successfully found jobs in factories in the area, with higher wages.
  • When providing assistance, the Community Action Team does not distinguish between Roma and non-Roma people.

Meet the team from Gyulaj!

 

Big Drum

Between 2014 and 2017, we worked with the municipality, the public health service, kindergartens and schools, and together we drew up a problem map. Two mediators are working in Nagydobos, thanks to whom the municipality is known as a model in the area.

  • A salt room was set up because of the high incidence of respiratory illnesses among children. The residents donated bricks, the municipality contributed extra funds to the salt room, and residents without children were also keen to contribute.
  • Clean-up painting organised for families in need
  • Garbage collection organised
  • They also acquired contraceptive devices, which they could use anonymously - a delicate subject that had to be approached with tact.
  • We believe that when we come together with a community, we create more and more resources to continue working together. So when the GSK programme came to an end, we started a new programme together under a new winning grant: Game librarya community space where we focus on breaking down intergenerational barriers and early childhood development.
  • A community garden has also been created in the settlement, the Butterfly Developments Association which we will coordinate from 2021. Children will learn organic gardening and the basics of healthy eating together with adults, and harvest the produce together.

"It's good to see that we are making a difference in each other's lives and people thank me for encouraging them," says Piri, one of the mediators.

Borsodnádasd

We have been in contact with Borsodnádasd for 3 years. First we trained health assistants within the framework of the Swiss Primary Care Model Programme. Later, our colleagues from Borsodnádasd mastered the methodology of intercultural mediation and have been working as Roma mediators for several years. With their knowledge, experience and work, they contribute to raising health awareness and increasing access to primary health care for the poor and Roma who have difficulties in accessing primary health care. In general, Roma living in excluded neighbourhoods face barriers to accessing public health services: no doctor in the village, inability to afford medicines, inadequate information on how to deal with specific health situations. There are many who do not receive regular medical care and do not have enough information about prevention and the importance of health maintenance. They may also be discouraged by bad experiences in primary health care: feeling uncomfortable during an examination, not daring to ask questions or not being able to get to the point of care because they cannot afford the cost of travel and the price of the medicines prescribed.

Mediators believe that the cornerstone of community work is trust and acceptance. They work with their personalities, so the health promotion work also involves their own development, self-confidence, courage to have a say in local public affairs as Roma, to shape them and to have their expertise accepted by the local people.

  • During health days, Roma mediators have been able to reach out to people who had not been able to see their local doctor for a long time, to get screening tests. They asked questions about contraception, breast and prostate examinations, previously taboo subjects, with courage and interest.
  • The mediators introduced the importance of brushing to children in kindergarten and school, where they were happy to open toothbrushes, toothpaste and cleanliness kits and practise brushing their teeth.
  • Together they have set up a mini laundry, which is used by many families.
  • The cooperation will be sustainable if the municipality, the local Roma municipality and the public health service take an active role in it, involving other local institutions.
  • Local heads of institutions acknowledge the work of Roma mediators and ask them first when they want to find a solution to a family problem: they are trusted by families and institutions alike to help unpack and discuss problematic situations and bring the parties to a solution.

Arlo

The Roma mediators in Arlo also work with a health focus, but are practically unavoidable when it comes to community issues. They are the first to meet local problems and ask for their opinion, whether they arise in families, kindergartens, schools or other institutions.

    • The local community action group is made up of Roma and non-Roma women who say the work gives them joy and confidence.
    • The children were delighted with the healthy eating sessions. They participated with interest and activity, learning about the physiological effects of fruit through play.
    • 25 poor families received food and cleaning kits during the epidemic.
    • The school toilets, which were in a very poor state of repair, have been refurbished and are receiving ongoing guidance on their correct use from a KACS member. The children have since been routinely washing their hands and have learned the correct use of liquid soap.
    • The health day was a novelty and an experience at the kindergarten, where the children prepared a fruit bowl together, learned about nutrition information that can be used in everyday life, and some children had health conditions that were identified during screenings and the pediatrician and parents were involved in their treatment.

Jászapáti

Four Roma mediators work in Jászapáti, their main role is to identify local problems and pass on information between the local Roma community and the municipality.

  • One of the most important local needs was to solve the problem of rubbish: the waste collection company would not take away the rubbish if it was only put in bin bags and not in bins, but the residents could not afford to buy bins. Therefore, the local mini-project decided to buy bins, which were distributed and discussed how to use and maintain them. The waste collector now takes the rubbish away without any problems.
  • Outdoor toilets were also provided for families who did not have toilets either in the house or in the garden
  • During the coronavirus epidemic, 120 families received vaccines and Roma mediators have played a major role in increasing confidence in vaccination.

It would be important to professionalise intercultural mediation, so that trained mediators can help members of Roma communities and local cooperation in the field of Roma integration in as many needy municipalities as possible.

What is the programme about?

The Municipality of Józsefváros launched a complex kindergarten development project, in which our foundation and the Rosa Parks Foundation were invited as partners. We have successfully applied to the European Commission for the project and the consortium has been awarded a grant of 267 017 EUR (approx. 97 million HUF), to which each of the three organisations will contribute 20 % of their own funds, in proportion to their respective grants. In recent years, a large number of young people, including families with young children, have moved to the
Józsefváros. However, we see that many people do not use the services here, they go to the doctor elsewhere, they take their children to school and kindergarten in other districts.

Our aim in the project entitled "Inclusive kindergartens for quality early childhood development" is to make the 12 kindergartens in Yózsefváros attractive to parents who currently send their children to kindergarten outside the district; to reflect the diversity that is typical of the district, the kindergarten area, and to do this, each kindergarten - while preserving its own programme and building on its strengths - should develop and implement its own institutional development programme. We would also like to ensure that kindergartens offer attractive and high-quality programmes and services to the inhabitants of the district, so that every family in the 8th district wants to send their child to a local kindergarten.

 

What do we do during the programme?

  • The Partners Hungary Foundation's task is to ensure that both the district and institutional strategic planning and its implementation are carried out with the involvement of all stakeholders, and that kindergartens renew their methodological tools and offer new services in line with the expectations of the owners, modern educational principles and parents.
    We want to achieve this by professionals working together with each other, with parents, with
    with children, while learning from each other, sharing experiences, empowering, encouraging
    each other in introducing change.
  • Strategic planning with stakeholders to develop a long, medium and short term plan that will help the maintainer and the institutions to work and develop in a consistent way and in line with common goals, and to continue the work started in the project.
  • Methodological developments to prepare children for life in the 21st century, working closely with parents.
  • Communication: promoting the kindergartens and the new services to residents and families in the district and strengthening the identity of the district.
  • District boundary changes to optimise the use of kindergartens and to ensure that each kindergarten has a balanced mix of Roma, children with special educational needs and foreign children.
  • In the framework of the project, we will develop a complex methodology and related tools, which will be tested in the project. This tool will then be available to all municipalities and other kindergarten operators who would like to make their kindergartens and the institutions they run inclusive in the same way.

 

Children, especially the most disadvantaged, deserve a good start in life, but now the COVID-19 pandemic is making that even harder. A nurturing environment around young children is the foundation for a healthy, creative and peaceful society, in addition to individual fulfilment, and now is the time when support is most needed.

Bernar Van Leer Foundation works to create a caring environment through research and practical programmes. Their articles, now translated into English, focus on the innovation and collaboration between professionals that can be achieved, and provide empowering, practical examples of good practice. Now you can hear them read by Eszter Ónodi.

 

How Covid-19 accelerated change: innovations in working with parents in Israel

  • The Covid-19 pandemic seemed to hit the Israeli Nurse Leadership Programme at the worst possible time. They were nearing the final phase of a multi-year collaboration with the Ministry of Health to expand the capacity of the Tipat Halav service (early childhood health centres), develop parenting skills and promote positive parenting attitudes. The aim of the programme was to develop a group of champions to introduce innovations and changes in the service.
  • In response to Covid-19, the Israeli Women's Leadership Programme has launched a bold innovation: it has continued its programmes online.
  • While we were pushing for experimentation at the most basic level, the Covid-19 crisis unexpectedly accelerated a change that had been maturing for a long time. Meanwhile, we have learned how to manage change and innovation.
  • Local experiments with online services provide important input for national plans.

The Village project: towards early learning communities

  • The Village provides access to quality early childhood services in disadvantaged areas.
  • Carers are directly involved in development-focused activities for children.
  • Village Project Centres offer programmes that can be easily replicated in a home environment. The effectiveness of these activities on caring parenting and early learning is based on solid evidence: the evidence covers the full spectrum from general types of interventions to specific content, as described in the further summary. Using a universal, area-based approach, the Village Centres are open to all families in the communities served by the project. By involving local facilitators who help disseminate information and contribute to the implementation of activities, this system enables the creation of a network between families and services, promoting shared community values, social inclusion and sustainability.
  • The results show that parents read more, play more and listen to more music at home as part of their daily routine.

 

How can we support children not only to grow up but to develop optimally?

  • Playing together and a stimulating environment develops the brains of babies and young children. Now we can learn more about the science behind this.
  • In many countries, programmes for pregnant women and children under 5 focus on nutrition and stunted growth prevention, but do not address the promotion of responsive parenting and learning opportunities. The idea is that better growth is associated with better health and improved neurodevelopment. To test this idea, we examined the impact of nutrition programmes on children's growth and development.
  • However, the results of our study show that efforts focused only on nutrition are not sufficient to support growing children and their communities. Nutrition programs alone can be expected to provide little benefit to children's optimal development.
  • It is also obviously wrong to equate backward growth with backward development. In the 75 programmes we studied, the effect on the age-appropriate height indicator was not associated with the effect on cognitive, language and motor indicators. This means that while the programmes had a positive impact on growth, they did not necessarily have the same positive impact on children's development, and vice versa. This contradicts the assumption that growth is associated with neurodevelopment.

 

Share it with others if you find it useful!

We recommend our videos to child protection workers, social workers, colleagues in children's homes, teachers and psychologists.

Download the articles in pdf!

The Partners Hungary Foundation is now undertaking a special programme to support 3 NGOs with resilience-based organisational development.

 

Why is it not enough to talk about sustainability in a shrinking civil society space?

The 2017 CIVICUS civil society report 2017  has identified a number of pressing trends that continue to emerge and threaten the space for civic participation. Perhaps most critically, only three percent of the world's population live in countries where civic space is fully open. This sad reality has spurred PartnersGlobal to action and, through a strategic partnership with CIVICUS, has launched the development of the REZILIENCIA+ framework.

 

What is resilience-based organisational development?

The framework for building the resilience of civil society organisations draws on insights from recent academic and practical research on resilience, complex operating environments and the threats of civil space, as well as on civil society organisational models and capacities. The REZILIENCIA+ organisational development methodology was developed by the international civil society coalition CIVICUS and our parent organisation Partners Global, based on research findings from 45 countries. The process delves into different levels of resilience (individual-organisational-sectoral-civil society space) and strengthens organisations in seven factors of resilience:

  1. systems theory
  2. creating space in uncertainty
  3. building coping strategies that benefit the organisation
  4. to connect and experience community and turn it into a resource
  5. developing a business approach
  6. strengthening transparency and the engagement of our depositories
  7. well-structured organisational communication

The NGOs involved in the process, in addition to the process monitoring, will also receive a scholarship of USD 1600 each.

Who participates in the programme?

From November 2020 to August 2021, we will accompany three NGOs working in the field of education or Roma inclusion under the RESILIENCY+ organisational development framework:

  • ReSuli Foundation
  • Lightbringers Foundation
  • Somnakuno Drom: 21st Century Roma Women's Association

The programme is sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an independent, non-profit foundation that supports the development and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. The NED provides more than 1,600 grants each year to support projects by foreign NGOs working for democracy in more than 90 countries.

ENGLISH BELOW

What is the REC project about?

  • In this international projectfunded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme, we introduced group reflective methods In Belgium, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia, in a total of ten education and training institutions between 2020 and 2023. The project will be implemented in to support teachers and other professionals working with children aged 0-10.
  • In Hungary, 3 kindergartens participated in the programme: the Napsugár Kindergarten II (Budapest, Grassalkovich út 297, 1239), the Pitypang Kindergarten (Budapest, Kondor Béla sétány. 12, 1188), Habakukk Foundation Kindergarten (Budapest, Felvinci út 37., 1022)
  • Although reflection is a key teacher competence, in the context of teacher-education work, is done in writing, at most alone. Reflection rarely takes place through collaborative and personalised - let alone joyful - processes.
  • A reflection using motivating, collaborative, creative methods in turn, it makes teachers' daily work easier and improves the quality of education.
  • Structured, group reflective methods provide support for, reinforce professionalism and increase teachers' sense of belonging and esteem.

 

What happened in the REC project? 

  • At the beginning of the process, four different reflection methods were introduced to the participating kindergartens and schools in June 2021, followed by aCommunity planning to choose the most appropriate method or methods for the team.
  • Our aim was to support teachers in the institutions in their daily work to find their own way to each child, thus supporting their development.
  • To this end, from October 2021 to April 2023, the staff of the institution participated in a monthly group reflection session which helped them to look at their own practice from a slightly more distant perspective, ideaset, encouragementt, recognitionreceive. Structured, creative methods and the power of the group give them the support they need to feel supported: are not alone in facing difficult situations.
  • We also aimed to have by the end of the programme sustainable, regular reflection groups in the kindergartens, so that lower stress levelscope with both child-related and systemic challenges.
  • One teacher from each of the two kindergartens will have the opportunity to visit Belgian kindergartens and schools in May 2023, where reflective practice is already an integral part of teachers' lives.
  • From national and international experience practical manual has been prepared to help institutions not participating in the programme to find their way to the reflective methods that best suit them. REC manual one click to download! 
  • Impact reportwe made policy recommendationfor education professionals to raise awareness of the importance of group reflection methods among policy makers, teacher training institutes and other education-related professional organisations. A REC policy recommendations  and the REC impact report available for download!
  • In the partnership, we learned 3 reflection methods and the Most Significant Change evaluation methodology to measure the most significant changes that reflection processes bring to the life of kindergartens and schools. To do this, we collected stories from programme participants to tell us about the changes they have experienced. The interesting thing about the method is that we are not just measuring positive change, as we wanted to see what could be improved. To do this, we interviewed the participating teachers, nursery nurses and managers twice: in the middle of the programme and at the end. The stories can be found in the impact report

 

Who were the partners in the REC programme?

The REC project consortium five professional institutionswho were more than 10 years of experiencehave the capacity to cooperate with education and training institutions.

  • A Partners Hungary Foundation Since 1995, it has worked to promote cooperation and dialogue between individuals and communities. Our methods are based on engagement, shared decisions and agreements that deliver successful, permanent and sustainable solutions. We specialise in Roma inclusion, conflict resolution and education. We develop and implement training programmes in the field of education, with a special focus on inclusion and dialogue, including the Step by Step programme.
  • - A VBJK, the Centre for Early Years Innovation (Belgium) is an autonomous NGO founded in 1986 and recognised as a research centre by the Belgian federal government. The VBJK is an official partner of Kind en Gezin, the governmental organisation responsible for services for young children and their parents in the Belgian Flemish community, in close collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare Studies at the University of Ghent.
  • From Artevelde University of Applied Sciences (Belgium) currently offers 15,000 students study programmes in the fields of business and management; communication and media design; education; people and society; and health and care. We are a progressive centre of expertise in education, research and development. An international ethos is found throughout the organisation and is reflected in its structures and policies.
  • From Open Academy Step by Step (Croatia) mission is to promote and support innovative and quality educational practices to ensure the well-being, development and learning of children and young people. To achieve our mission, we develop partnerships, especially with nursery and primary schools, and facilitate networking of professionals. Our organisation has been providing regular support to education professionals through a variety of reflective practices for 10 years.
  • A Pedagoski Institute (Slovenia) works to support early childhood professionals in their professional development, helping them to become reflective practitioners and working with heads of institutions to develop support systems for professionals in institutions. Our organisation is the Slovenian coordinator of the Step by Step methodology. In our professional network, we support pre-school and school-based professionals in creating professional learning communities and expanding their professional portfolios.

 

REC: Reflection, education and care

Strengthening collaborative and reflective teaching practice - Increasing Quality Services in ECEC

What was the REC Project about?

  • Although reflection is a key competence for educators, teachers are usually expected to reflect on their practice on their own, filling out documents. Reflection is rarely developed with the help of collaborative and personalised - let alone joyful - processes.

  • However, when reflection is done with meaningful, motivating and collaborative methods, it facilitates true learning and a shift in the quality of education and care.

  • Such reflective methods promote systematic and positive support for professional learning within every school and increases teachers' sense of belonging and appreciation.

What activities were carried out in the REC project?

  • Collaborative reflective methods were introduced in 10 ECEC services/primary schools in Belgium, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia for practitioners/teachers working with children aged 0-10 - including your school. Our aim was to support educators to find their own path to each child to support their development.

  • We were raising awareness on the importance of collaborative reflection part of the continuous professional development path for teachers/practitioners, tailored to the staff's needs. Our initiative offered methods for building resilient practitioners' communities from a professional and personal points of view so they could face systemic challenges on a lower level of stress, leading to more successful cooperation among colleagues and with families.

    • A practical guidebook was written and made widely available on how to choose the reflective methods that suit the specific ECEC institution/school. REC handbook English

    • To impact report with policy recommendations was written for professionals related to education to raise awareness with policy makers, teacher training institutes and other education-related professional organisations. REC impact report

    • REC policy recommendations

The long-term, good relationship with Partners Jemen cooperation, trust and solidarity we are publishing the following statement at your request. The statement reflects the views and positions of Partners Yemen. We wish our partners in Yemen good luck and continued good work!

Withdraw the Ansar Allah movement about terror to become an organisation!

PartnersGlobal and Partners Yemen strongly urge the US State Department to withdraw its designation of Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist organization. This decision now prevents much-needed humanitarian aid, as well as aid packages and relief workers from the United States, from reaching northern Yemen, where 70 percent of the population lives. After six years of war, nearly 80 per cent of Yemen's population is living below the poverty line, with 120 000 dead and 500 000 wounded, and more than 7 million displaced inside and outside the country. Those still alive still lack access to basic necessities - food, water and medicine. Every day the suffering of the most vulnerable families in Yemen intensifies. Millions of lives are at stake.

This designation also reverses years of peace-building efforts by the international community and halts a United Nations-led political peace process that is not in the interests of Yemenis, the international community or the United States. Therefore, we call on President Biden and his administration to rescind this decision once in office, and we call on Congress to respond immediately to the withdrawal of this designation.

For more than a decade, PartnersGlobal and PartnersYemen have been working with the communities most affected by the conflict in Yemen, including communities in northern Yemen. We have earned the trust of actors on both sides of the conflict and have worked together to mediate disputes, improve governance and service delivery, and most importantly, lay the foundations for long-term stability and peace. PartnersGlobal and PartnersYemen are part of a network of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding organisations working across the country to similarly lay the foundations for lasting stability and peace. This new designation jeopardises this work and only serves to prolong the conflict.

Scott Powell, Humanitarian Policy Officer at Oxfam US, said: "Secretary Pompeo's dangerous and unhelpful policy of designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization and putting innocent lives at risk. This designation does nothing to resolve the conflict, nor to achieve justice for the violations and injustices committed during the war, and will only increase the suffering of millions of Yemenis struggling to survive."


The former minister and businessman said: "The decision takes us back to the starting point of the conflict, when the various parties entered a phase of exhaustion and showed a willingness to make painful concessions." Unfortunately, this sentiment has been echoed by Yemeni leaders across the country, as well as by members of the international community most familiar with the conflict. We call on the United States to play a constructive role in resolving Yemen's devastating conflict and mitigating the catastrophic effects on its population. The United States is in a unique position to do so, but this new designation takes the conflict in the opposite direction.


Original English text: Reverse the Terrorist Designation of Ansar Allah in Yemen

Issued: January 15, 2020

PartnersGlobal and PartnersYemen strongly urge the U.S. Department of State to reverse the designation of Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist organization.

Because of this decision, desperately needed humanitarian aid, as well as goods and personnel coming from the United States of America, will be prevented from entering northern Yemen, where 70 percent of the population lives. Today, after six years of war, nearly 80 percent of Yemen's population is living below the poverty line; 120,000 have died and 500,000 have been wounded; and more than 7 million have been displaced both internally and outside the country. Those that remain lack access to basic necessities-food, water, and medicine. Every day this designation remains, the suffering of the most vulnerable families in Yemen will mount. The lives of millions are at stake.

Further, this designation counteracts years-long peacebuilding efforts by the international community and stops the United Nations-led political peace process in its tracks, which is not in the interest of Yemenis, the international community, or the United States. Therefore, we call on President-elect Biden and his administration to freeze and revoke this decision upon taking office; and we call on Congress to respond immediately to reverse this designation.

For over a decade, PartnersGlobal and PartnersYemen have been working with communities most affected by the conflict in Yemen, including those in northern Yemen. We have gained the trust of actors on both sides of this conflict and together worked to mediate disputes, improve governance and service delivery, and, most importantly, lay the foundations for long-term stability and peace. PartnersGlobal and PartnersYemen are part of a network of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding organizations working throughout the country to similarly build the foundations for lasting stability and peace. This new designation threatens this work and only serves to prolong the conflict.

Scott Powell, Humanitarian Policy Officer at Oxfam of America said"Secretary Pompeo's designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization is a dangerous and useless policy, and it will also endanger the lives of innocent people. This designation will not help in resolving the conflict, nor in achieving justice for the violations and abuses committed during the war; this will only escalate the suffering for millions of Yemenis who struggle to survive."

Former minister and businessman said, "The decision will return us to the starting point of the conflict at a time when the various parties had entered a phase of fatigue and found a willingness to make painful concessions."

Unfortunately, this sentiment has been echoed by Yemeni leaders throughout the country as well as those in the international community most familiar with the conflict.

We are calling on the United States to play a constructive role in resolving Yemen's devastating conflict and mitigating the disastrous effects on the population. The United States is uniquely positioned to do this, but this new designation does the opposite.

 

 

How do teenagers view bullying and harassment at school? What are their experiences? What do they think could be the solution?

Ferenc Alexi's ninth grade thesis seeks to answer these questions. The author's study, based on his own research, provides new perspectives on this difficult topic. Everyday phrases and simple but precise wording make the essay easy to read and it feels like talking to a flesh-and-blood teenager. The honesty and responsibility with which he approaches difficult social situations at school is striking.

"Bullying in the classroom can be like the Hydra: if you cut off one head, two grow back. Of course, this analogy is not entirely accurate, because although the hierarchy in the classroom rarely and for a short time breaks down, and everyone is equal for a while, a new hierarchy is slowly being established. Usually, the hierarchy can be upset when the bully becomes involved with a teacher/student with a stronger personality than him, creating a conflict from which the bully, if he backs out, loses his reputation. He or she may then either become a victim, or the rest of the class may not notice the bully's withdrawal, in which case the authority is preserved but the conflict between them is not resolved."

 

Who is the study for?

Her work speaks to her peers, who she says can benefit from knowing what abusive situations can be, so that they can talk about them accurately, and even reverse them if they have more information about what their own role in a situation might be.

"While I was looking at studies/research on the perpetrators of abuse, I was involved in a lot of roles, even roles I didn't know existed or didn't think were harmful. Because of my own experiences, I thought it would be important to introduce these roles to others, so that they could recognise themselves, find it easier to notice if they were in a similar position in the abuse, find it easier to recognise the same situations through realisation, and find it easier to step out of these roles."

As adults, whether we are educators, support professionals or parents, we feel spoken to, because we can also hear vivid experiences of what it is like to be the teacher who is the abuser. Quoting the answers to the questionnaire often makes us feel uncomfortable, which may just prompt us, the readers, to ask children more questions about the situations they are in, to take their experiences seriously and to review our own practices.

It is particularly exciting that it compares responses from Waldorf, state and church secondary schools, and although the results are not representative, the responses from the questionnaire are thought-provoking.

Read the full study here. It is worth. The author has made a small sculpture and a small sculpture for the study.

School aggression student research Alexi Ferenc

What can we adults do?

It's reassuring that many people mention sensitivity training and talks as a solution - we believe in this too, and our experience shows that community grievances can be addressed together. Restorative practices, mediation, playful group exercises and guided discussions are tools that can be learned and applied in any school or kindergarten.

If you are a professional in nursery schools or schools and want to get your hands on concrete tools, download our free our professional materials or apply for our training courses!

Since all of our programmes have gone online in whole or in part since the spring, we have become very experienced in organising events. At Zoom, it was also a great professional and personal experience to talk to and exchange experiences with the mediators and to listen to the experiences of other NGOs working in a similar way.

 
An important part of our meeting was to strengthen the network and connect members working in different organisations. The Autonomy Foundation, the Citizen Foundation, the Idetartozunk Association and the Institute for Behaviour Research of the University of Debrecen enriched our two-day meeting. We have agreed to meet online every two months in the future, because the exchange of experiences adds so much to our work: we draw strength and inspiration from it.
 
For the third year running, we are rewarding intercultural mediators, as well as the work of the Intercultural Ambassador and Community Action Teams. The award is called the Zsuzsa Danó Intercultural Mediator Award: it honours the memory of a great person whose commitment and many years of community-building work are exemplary.
  • This year, Alexandra Korózs from Borsodnádasdi received the mediation award,
  • and the Intercultural Ambassador Award to Orsolya Érsek, who supported the work of the mediators.
  • Two Community Action Groups were also awarded this year. These awards were given to Onga and Hernádkak.
 

We are very proud of our winners and congratulate them!

 

Dear Teachers, Teachers, Dear Parents!

We are pleased to inform you that the "Community matters!" we are organising a FREE online meeting on

sharing experiences of cooperation between parents and teachers.

With great love you are invited you to

  • tell you how succeeded in involving hard-to-reach parents in the life of the school, how we have managed to strengthen the relationship between parents and teachers,
  • which are the tools for immediate use, which you can also use in your schools, even in the case of distance learning!

The "Community Matters" project has been running for the past 4 years of achievements building on the previous, while maintaining the overall aim of cooperation between parents and teachers, sharing experiences.

Participation is free, but registration is required.

Link to the application form: https://online-kerdoiv.com/index/view/hash/a9b653b17dd71230cd80e72fff00baab

What will the meeting be about?

  • Presentation of the "Parents in School" programme, from the perspective of parents and teachers: concrete cases, examples

  • Presentation of international good practices and examples

  • Experiences of organisations working on similar issues

  • Presentation of parenting toolkits

For further information, please contact Emese Nagy Erzsébet for more information.

E-mail: nagye@partnershungary.hu Tel: 0670/623-21-54

The programme and the event are "Open Society Foundation" advocates.

Don't miss our training courses, register until 04.09.2020 and we will give you a 20% discount on the 2nd training course!

Our training courses on offer:

  • 11.09.2020 (14:00-17:00) Continuing education course with credit points in questioning techniques
    In our training you will have the opportunity to learn and try out techniques that help you to find effective questions in mediation and coaching, as questioning techniques are one of the most important tools in
    mediator, coach.Training fee: 12.000Ft (TAM)
  • 25.09.2020 (14:00-16:30) Development-focused case discussion for mediators

Professional methodological knowledge is of little value without the training of a professional personality. We can only become good professionals with the help of others, by giving and receiving feedback. Nowadays, burnout and loss of motivation is one of the most recurrent risk factors. Using the WANDA method, we work with the tools of positive psychology, which gives mediation professionals the opportunity to explore in a structured way, in a confidential environment, the problems and stagnations that they do not yet have a solution to.

Training fee: instead of 12.000Ft (TAM), now 9600Ft (TAM)

 

You can register via the links below, the offer is only valid for the two courses together, the discount will be deducted from the fee of the 2nd course.

Application form for advanced training with credit points in interrogation

 For development-focused case mediators: application form

Remember: training courses are worth 10-10 points for IM registered mediators and are thus eligible for the continuing training scheme.

Constructive communication with parents

How to work with parents in everyday life and in difficult situations? Immediate communication techniques from mediation and restorative practices.

"I learnt a lot in three hours, I got practical answers to my questions and the theory highlighted why what I had been trying to do didn't work in many cases."

(Anna S., kindergarten teacher)

Class teacher lesson series on the prevention of aggression and bullying

Ready-to-use lesson plans and help for teachers working with children aged 10-18 years, through experiential exercises.

"When I sat down for the workshop on class teacher lesson plans, I had so much more to do. Then, ten minutes into the workshop, I realised I couldn't be in a better place. I finally got practical answers on what I could do to reduce conflict in my classroom." (Ferenc Z., PE teacher, class teacher)

WANDA case presenter

WANDA is a Belgian case discussion methodology name - sounds serious, doesn't it? It's really about finally getting out
we can talk in a supportive environment about the situations that concern us. Structured group reflection on how to deal effectively with professional stagnation, for preschool and school professionals: preschool teachers, teachers, teachers, preschool-school social workers, school psychologists.

Why does the child not eat during the day? Why is it difficult to cooperate with your parents? Why does he hurt his peers? Why doesn't he join in
in play?

WANDA was developed in Belgium specifically for teacher participants, following the Hungarian Bálint method. The acronym is composed of the Dutch words Waarderen - to estimate, Analyseren - to analyse, Daden - to do. The clearly structured discussion in five steps, using creative tools, helps the participants to
to look at the situations they are facing from a different perspective, and to work together to find alternative ways to resolve them.

"By the end of the case study, I felt like I was at the end of a dramatic film, both as a spectator and as a character, as we were dealing with a difficult situation in our own kindergarten. It was uplifting to see the journey we had made in two hours and how many good ideas had come out of it, and that we had created it all together. This is something every educator should experience." (K. Viktória, kindergarten teacher)

 

Contact us at kepzes@partnershungary.hu to help us find the best support and training for your institution!

What do you need for effective meetings?

In order to move in the same direction on a common issue, staff need structured information and motivation. These can be achieved through effective communication within the organisation, and effectiveness is enhanced if there is a dedicated specialist.

The success of a meeting, a meaningful organisational event or a change depends on the communication between colleagues. As well as the quantity of information exchanged, the quality is a cardinal point. This can be improved if meetings are led by a facilitator who methodological knowledgea is responsible for efficiency.

 

What does a facilitator do?

  • The facilitator is a process manager, who facilitates the effectiveness of the group discussion. It may be chosen from within the group or be an external expert.
  • Characteristics of its activities, is responsible for the effectiveness of the discussion of the topic(s) identified by the parties or the group. He/she is well versed in group decision-making techniques and can use his/her methodological knowledge to make suggestions to the group leader beforehand or to the group during the process on how to proceed with the discussion of a particular issue. At the end of the meeting, he/she summarises the results and the tasks that have been identified. Agree on who is responsible for writing the memo.

What happens during the two-day facilitator training?

The topics of the training 

  • When to call a facilitator
  • Methods that make up the facilitator's toolbox
  • Group dynamics basics
  • What to do with difficult customers
  • How to decide on the role of the external - internal facilitator
  • How to build consensus between the parties
  • How to plan realistic time frames
  • How to use visual elements during the meeting
  • What happens before and after the facilitation? What is a good reminder?
  • Group decision-making techniques

The training lasts 20 hours.

Interested in facilitator training? Contact us! kepzes@partnershungary.hu

About the training RegulationAfter completing the three training modules mentioned in the above-mentioned article, and subject to the fulfilment of additional legal requirements, participants in the training will be able to apply for registration in the Register of Intermediaries of the Ministry of Justice. To be included in the Register of Mediators of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), a numbered certificate of at least 60 hours of practical training in accordance with IRM Decree 63/2009 (XII.17) on mediation training and further training, a diploma of any profession, a certificate of five years of professional practice in the field of the diploma attested by the workplace and a certificate of good character are required.

So if you want to become a mediator and be on the national mediator register, you need to:

  • any professional diploma
  • evidence of five years' professional experience in the field of the qualification obtained by the diploma, provided by the workplace
  • moral certificate
  • completion of 64 hours of training as a mediator in accordance with the structure provided for in the Regulation

In our experience, it is also an advantage to have experience of self-awareness and self-reflection if you want to engage in conflict resolution, as the role of a mediator is a complex and sensitive one.

Partners Hungary Foundation's mediator training complies with the Regulation. You can find out the dates of our next training under Events. If you have any questions, please contact us! kepzes@partnershungary.hu

What does a mediator do to ensure effective cooperation in a conflict?

In the mediation process the mediator does not give advice, does not take a position, but sides with both. The mediator helps the client to articulate their needs and to listen to the other party's interests and needs, and to come to an agreement on that basis. The essence of mediation is to return the case to the parties concerned, at the same time we provide tools to talk about difficult situations in a different way than before.

The mediator works to move the parties from the past to the present and the future, to talk about what the parties can do here and now to work better together. The mediator cannot guarantee that all mediations will end in agreement, but his or her role in the process is to ensure a balance of power between the parties, so that everyone can say what they need to say to resolve the situation. Mediation is not a therapy and the mediator is not a therapist, but there are cathartic moments in mediation when mutual understandings are reached between the parties, despite previous differences.

The mediator's tasks:

  • working to open up communication channels
  • ensures a balance of power between the parties involved
  • facilitates the discussion, i.e. keeps the conversation on track and helps to move the topics along
  • gives a model of good negotiating style
  • helps to empower parties to develop alternative solutions
  • is a representative of reality, i.e. it asks questions to help the parties to think through how they can be implemented in their lives
  • problem-solving role
  • conflict management role
  • process management role

The mediator is bound by confidentiality in the mediation process.

The mediator's tasks are therefore complex and multifaceted. In our mediation training, participants learn all this through practical situations.

Wondering when the next training will be? Check out our events!

Social responsibility

Corporate social responsibility means, in a first step, to we see our room for manoeuvre to act, to situations in our wider and narrower society and environment. In this sense, not only companies, but also individuals, civil and professional organisations, public and educational institutions, in other words all of us, have such a responsibility.

Corporate responsibility

"Corporate responsibility, or as it is often abbreviated, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), refers to the way in which companies manage and develop their impact on society and the environment, and create value for their shareholders and partners through the development of strategy, organisational issues and ways of working" (Csreurope, 2013). This strategy is not just business philanthropy, but "a voluntary commitment to developing the common good: through business practice by engaging the resources of the firm. In the long term, it is more successful in terms of profit (sustainability) than a business that is solely profit-driven" (Csreurope, 2013).

The concept of corporate social responsibility is not only present in business circles, but also in the organisations and aspirations of the European Union. As early as 2001, the European Commission, Promoting a European Framework for Corporate Social Responsibility has dedicated a Green Paper to this topic: "...CSR is a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns into their business processes and the way they interact with their partners without compensation." According to this approach, companies take account of society's interests by considering the impact of their activities on their customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders, but also on the environment. This action also seems to go beyond the legal obligation, namely by business operators voluntarily taking steps to improve the quality of life of the society around them.

CSR is therefore:

  • It starts from a synergistic cooperation with society and the environment,
  • fits in with the organisational, corporate strategy
  • voluntary approach and practice
  • does not jeopardise competitiveness, but inspires a sense of responsibility and action.

We, at the Partners Hungary Foundation, as an NGO, we work for common social values. We have a responsibility to Educationwithin vulnerable groups, the Roma communitiesand to ensure that individuals or groups of people conflictWe resolve our problems peacefully, looking after each other.

Our work focuses on reaching as many people as possible with the methods that work, to help us build better relationships with each other in our everyday lives. And when a big company gets on our side, it leads to very good collaborations, such as Arconic (former Alcoa Copper) or the Glaxo SmithKline our programmes with pharmaceutical companies. Contact us if you think you would like to work with us!

What makes a good cooperation in a CSR programme between the company and the implementer?

  • In our experience, it is key to ensure that the programme you want to implement fits into your company's profile and strategy, and that you work with implementing individuals and organisations who also have a programme that fits into their business.
  • It means a lot if there is continuous communication between the CSR officer and the implementer, as a live relationship makes it easier to work out the details and pay attention to all important aspects.
  • It is useful for company representatives to get to know and meet regularly with programme stakeholders (unless the nature of the programme does not allow this), so that they can experience the impact of the programme for themselves.

How does the Together for Better Health programme work?

Partners Hungary Foundation joined the ROMED programme of the Council of Europe in 2010. Currently, we are combining our own experience and ROMED's toolkit to develop a unified methodology, the intercultural mediation we work on integration, mainly in the fields of education, health and local community needs.
Intercultural mediation is a participatory method, a community work that builds bridges between community members living in settlements and the institutions and decision-makers operating in the settlements, in order to promote and positively influence the situation of communities in need.

The local mediation activities used in the method are coordinated by intercultural mediators. They are professionals who, with their local knowledge, conflict management and community planning skills, facilitate dialogue between Roma and non-Roma communities and represent the interests of disadvantaged groups at the local level. Intercultural mediators are active members of the local Roma community who want to take action themselves to improve their living conditions and are therefore able to mobilise other members of the community. They themselves identify the most pressing problems in the community that they want to address, and they receive support from local authorities and other organisations to do so. The Partners Hungary Foundation is responsible for training intercultural mediators and facilitating dialogue between local actors.

What are the results of the programme?

Just a few of the local projects, in no way exhaustive, that have been carried out by the intercultural mediators and the Community Action Team:

  • the establishment and operation of a mini-kitchen
  • construction of outdoor toilets in Nagyecsed, Porcsalma and Ense
  • Salt room in the kindergarten in Nagydobos
  • sanitary painting and renovation of houses for the needy in Gyulaj - so far 48 houses have been renovated in Kalaka by community members
  • coordination of a play centre in Nagydobos
  • renovation and operation of playgrounds in Csenger and Hernádkak
  • garbage collection, garbage- removal actions in Nyírbátor, Győrtelken, Onga
  • health education for pre-school and school children,
  • implementation of local campaigns and health programmes in cooperation with the health visitor (among others Arló, Borsodnádasd, Hernádkak, Hernádnémeti, Heves, Járdánháza, Jászapáti, Porcsalma, municipalities of the model health promotion programme supported by the Swiss Fund)

Our cooperation with GSK was very much strengthened by the fact that a senior member of the company was in charge of the project. During our regular meetings, he was able to bring in corporate aspects that helped a lot in the implementation. We made a point of ensuring that the funder met with local community members and attended the Community Action Group meetings. In the closing circle of one of the discussions, a key moment was when a local Action Group member tearfully told us how much the programme meant to him: his experience and expertise had never been sought before. People who would never have crossed paths otherwise met each other and were able to say things to each other that made them all more than they were. The encounters have resulted in lasting human connections: the former program officer is coming back to the community as a private donor. 

If your company wants to do something for a better world and our activities are part of your strategy, write to us!

When and in what situations should you use it?

  • Community task or problem to be solved: littered neighbourhoods, poor public safety, disagreements between residents.
  • If there is a big project in the area and there is likely to be opposition from residents.
  • If it matters, the parties must be able to work together and find lasting solutions.
  • If there are several conflicting opinions or interests on the issue in question, between individuals or groups. Our focus is on promoting Roma-non-Roma dialogue.
  • If the topic to be discussed is complicated.
  • When faced with the fact that no single party has enough information, it has full power to make decisions.
  • If you care about your residents' opinions and want them to stay motivated.

If, as a local government, you are facing situations where it is important to get more local people involved, but it is difficult to mobilise the community and you don't have an effective method in place, we can help! Community planning methodology allows for a simpler decision-making process and brings greater satisfaction to the life of the community: be it a district or a municipality as a whole.

What can you expect? What impact will the Community Design Method have on the process?

With our facilitators:

  • The planning and implementation process becomes transparent, and participants are correctly informed about the process, thus preventing conflicts arising from lack of information
  • We accompany you through the whole process: from mapping to implementation
  • Negotiations take place in a peaceful atmosphere because our experienced facilitators are experts in alternative conflict management methods (mediation, restorative practices)
  • Participants can voice their opinions and assert their interests

 

How does it work in practice?

Major investment, Gönyű Power Plant:

"The Partners Hungary Foundation was selected to support the stakeholder management of the Gönyü power plant when it was built.Since 2007, Partners Hungary has been organising the Gönyü Round Table, which we set up and which has met quarterly during the construction phase of the plant and once or twice a year since the plant started operating.
The Round Table aims to keep the public and civil society informed, to develop and maintain a dialogue. Participants were delegated with the aim of reaching a broad base of information through selected individuals.
The roundtables are organised by the mediators of Partners Hungary, Foundation, the client (EON /Uniper) is only a participant. The roundtables are organised on the basis of open dialogue, all issues are discussed, experts are invited if necessary, studies are carried out and presented.
The Round Table has been an absolute success story over the past 10 years, and has fully achieved its objectives. Due to the mixed composition of the Round Table, there were initially many opposing or outright rejecting positions towards the construction and operation of the plant. Thanks to professional organisation and an open and transparent approach, trust has gradually been built up and the Round Table has now evolved into a close cooperation.
The staff of the Partners Hungary Foundation was easily accepted by the participants as impartial participants, and their professional work is crucial for the successful operation of the roundtable and the achievement of our common goals."

Zoltán Katona (Managing Director E.on Power Plants/Uniper)