Social Mentorship – an Investment towards the Future

The main objective of the project “Social Mentorship – an Investment towards the Future” is to contribute to the personal and professional development of children and/or their families, who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, as well as to improve their social status by conducting individualised programs of social mentorship.

The main objective of the project “Social mentorship – an Investment towards the Future” is to contribute to the personal and professional development of children and/or their families, who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, as well as to improve their social status by conducting individualised programs of social mentorship. With regards to the target groups of the project – children and/or their families who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, users of the guaranteed minimum fee, but also volunteers, organisations and professional associates who work with the children and their families – there have been individual, specific goals set for the project: 

1. Developing a wholesome individual approach within social mentorship that will positively affect the children’s and/or their families’ quality of life, providing them with the necessary support and tools to encourage them in dealing with their everyday struggles and challenges and staying in the educational system.
2. Including the target groups in cultural, sporting and social activities, which are otherwise unavailable to them, in order to endorse and encourage the development of talents and broaden their minds, ensuring successful social integration.
3. Building the capacities of employees and volunteer-assistants, both within the Association and other organisations included in conducting the social mentorship program, by training and exchanging knowledge and good practice.

The project’s activities focus on working directly with the beneficiaries and providing support, in addition to educating all target groups, cooperating with other organisations and working with the Croatian Social Welfare Centre (branch office in Rijeka). 

The expected long-term effect of this project is to reduce generation-to-generation poverty and dependence on the social service system by strengthening the weakest links of society. This may be done through fostering a productive, actively working youth, who will contribute to the development of their local areas, as well as providing support to the adults in terms of employment, education, personal growth and social status.

Safe Network: Building Competence in Parents, Guardians and Children for Safe Internet Behaviour

The main goal of the project is to build digital competence in children and parents, with emphasis on preventing electronic violence on Snapchat and WhatsApp.

The main goal of the project is to build digital competence in children and parents, with emphasis on preventing electronic violence on Snapchat and WhatsApp. Building digital competence in the domain of social networks, which involve higher risk rates, such as the aforementioned two, is essential to a safer use of the Internet, while preventing electronic violence aims at protecting children and their parents, which is vital for protecting the children’s rights and well-being. This goal is in line with the General Objective of the Call – active support to parenting – as well as with the specific objective of Priority Area 5 of the Call – improving the digital competences of children and parents with the aim of preventing electronic violence.

Three specific objectives contribute to this main project objective and will be measured through the achievement of all planned project results within an internal evaluation process:

SO1. Identification of the most common experiences of Internet violence on Snapchat and WhatsApp among (especially vulnerable) children

This objective is crucial, as a better understanding of children’s specific problems and experiences will help create effective prevention strategies, empowerment strategies, and campaigns. Focusing on vulnerable children further emphasises the importance of a targeted approach, since vulnerable children have fewer resources and support networks when facing situations of violence, whether in the role of victim, witness, or perpetrator. SO2. Building the competences of parents, children, and professionals for the prevention, identification, and addressing of electronic violence on Snapchat and WhatsApp

Empowering those involved/closest to the child (parents/guardians, children, and professionals) enables a comprehensive and proactive approach to the issue, while education and training are key to effective prevention and response to electronic violence.

SC3. Raising awareness among parents and the wider public about the importance and methods of preventing, identifying, and addressing electronic violence on Snapchat and WhatsApp 

Raising awareness is essential for changing behaviour and attitudes toward online violence. Informed parents and the public will better support and apply preventive measures, thereby expanding the protective network around children.

By achieving all the above objectives, the proposed project significantly and effectively contributes to a safer digital environment for children.

PROJECT DETAILS:

Project title: Safe Network: Building the Competences of Parents, Guardians, and Children for Safe Online Behaviour

Project duration: 1 December 2024 – 30 November 2025

Partners: City of Rijeka, Administrative Department for Health, Social Welfare, and Quality of Life Improvement

Project value: €13,300.00

*The project is funded by the Ministry of Demography and Migration.