Social activation, work integration and social entrepreneurship development, job training and employment programs, permanent employment programs
Social Activation is a project of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Social Fund. The aim of the program is to promote the social inclusion and employment opportunities of participants by strengthening their social, work, and functional skills. With our help, we motivate participants to tackle the external and internal barriers that prevent them from entering or re-entering the labor market for the first time, and consequently lead to social exclusion and poverty.
The target groups are persons who are beneficiaries of social assistance, persons registered in the register of unemployed persons or registered in the register of persons temporarily unemployable, and inactive persons with complex social problems. There are five social activation programs in the 2019-2022 project period, involving 15 people in one group. The program is implemented simultaneously in three different locations (Murska Sobota, Lendava, Gornja Radgona), i.e. in three different groups.
Trudimo se, da bi znotraj predpisanega programa vsak udeleženec našel kaj zase, zato vsebino sproti prilagajamo potrebam udeležencev posamezne skupine. V ta namen uporabljamo različne oblike dela – vodene pogovore, delavnice, socialne igre, predavanja, predstavitve in delo v manjših skupinah ali dvojicah. Velikokrat pridejo k nam ljudje, ki se znajdejo v življenju na razpotju in iščejo nove poti. Zato je pomembno, da jim znamo prisluhniti in jim ne vsiljujemo svojih rešitev. Na nas pa je, da jim pokažemo, da trenutni zastoj ponuja samo novo izkušnjo za rast in da so najpomembnejši viri moči v njih samih.
The social activation program lasts for participants for 6 months and is divided into three parts. The first part focuses on workshops for personal growth, building self-esteem, and psychophysical health. The second part relates to knowledge and information directly connected to the labor market. The program also includes work training, where participants spend a little over two months in a specific work environment with a local employer. Alternatively, they can learn about the work process and the creation of new products within a work-educational project led by mentors of social activation. The training often leads to more stable forms of employment (educational workshops, public works) or regular employment. The third part is directed more towards soft skills and communication abilities, crucial for establishing and building relationships, gaining recognition, and creating opportunities for progress. Since the program includes people of different profiles, social backgrounds, and origins (immigrants, Roma, non-Roma, older individuals, young people without experience), it serves as a good exercise in developing respectful and tolerant communication. In Mozaik, a network of local stakeholders has been established, with whom there is good cooperation in implementing the social activation program, from employers to healthcare and educational institutions. Social welfare programs within the association provide concrete assistance in cases of existential distress, and the eco-social farm Korenika offers a supportive work environment for individuals who need a slower and adapted transition to the job market.
We are aware that each person brings a unique life story, and every story is valued. The approach to group leadership is based on respect for the integrity and dignity of each individual, making it suitable even for the most vulnerable participants. Our principle is that after completing the program, every participant should leave with a warm feeling of having been part of a community where they were accepted just as they are. Above all, they should leave empowered to pursue their employment and career aspirations, especially because this path inherently requires a high degree of flexibility and openness to change in our rapidly evolving world.
SA Murska Sobota
We implement the SA program in Murska Sobota at a location in the city center, allowing us to physically visit various institutions (library, gallery, museum, memorial sites) that contribute to the identity of our region. Identity is also a part of our discussions, as the program is titled 'Inclusive Society for All.' At the same time, we can also take care of our psychophysical well-being. Additionally, we make good use of the fact that our classroom is located in the premises where a carpentry workshop is also situated. Working with natural materials such as wood is not only educational but also relaxing and enjoyable.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished our collaboration with local stakeholders, but it has not weakened our connection within the group. We have started conducting workshops online. In doing so, we incidentally learned two important life lessons – that challenging times are less daunting when we are willing to accept reality and adapt to changes, and that burdens are always lighter when shared with someone else.
Statement from a participant in the 1st group SA MS
"For me, the social activation program was beneficial because I had the opportunity for work training in a position that I found very interesting, and I would like to continue working in it in the future. What I liked the most was that there were no differences between Roma and non-Roma, and we all understood each other well." - Mojca, Murska Sobota
Statement from a participant in the 2st group SA MS
"I gained a lot from this program. There were many educational contents, and the mentors were excellent moderators who knew how to connect individual topics and also connect us participants with each other, so that in the end, we became friends." - David, Murska Sobota
Sports spirit in an active body - health is our greatest wealth
Developing manual skills through creative workshops
Natalija Ropoša, Heart
Sporting spirit in an active body - health is our greatest wealth SA Radgona
In the social activation program in Gornja Radgona, each of us represents an important piece in the mosaic of life motivation and social activation. Each of us co-creates, forms, and connects a colorful whole, within which we all learn about ourselves, others, and the world around us. The heart that we place among us each time is a symbol of self-respect and respect, because only in this way can we build stable foundations of mental health, which is a prerequisite for the development of our own potential and the potential of the community or society as a whole, capable of social and work inclusion for each of us.
We accepted the isolation and the interruption of the program due to COVID-19 as an opportunity for in-depth self-exploration, even closer connection, and constructive search for long-term solutions for each individual.
Statement from a participant in the 1st group" SA GR
"We gained a lot of new experiences in the program, formed new friendships, and most importantly, we sought new opportunities. Before the program, I couldn't even imagine what was possible, and I was almost desperate. Now I am fighting again for the job I really want. Having a job is crucial for a lifetime. You don't know what is possible until you try, and you have to be willing to do a lot for it. We also received a lot of support." (Barbara Horvat)
Statement from a participant in the 2st group SA GR
"Connection. The heart connects us in the group, so we are all one and stick together in good and bad times. The path leads us to the heart." (Natalija Ropoša, author of the picture Heart, see above)
Workshop to strengthen manual skills for improving competencies SA Lendava
"We believe in our participants and respect their individual characteristics, so we want to support them in achieving their desires. We strengthen team spirit and trust through culinary workshops and workshops on manual skills, where participants gladly share their knowledge. Some workshops on psychophysical condition are also conducted outdoors, in contact with nature. Personal growth workshops, where we share mutual experiences and encourage each other, often continue during coffee gatherings, where we relax and joke around.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, we had to move our gatherings online, where we met virtually through the Zoom application. It required a lot of patience because there was some initial fear of computer technology. Now we are proud of ourselves, knowing that we persevered and maintained the spirit of connection.
"In the actual implementation of the program, I also got to know Ms. Gordana and Ms. Judita and established many new friendships. We quickly became friends with everyone. I owe thanks to Gordana and Judita for their excellent guidance through our meetings, and they also enabled me to work in the Elderly Home in Lendava. I enjoyed working in the Home very much. I quickly joined the team and also made new friends. I would gladly continue with the work I did in the Home. The staff at the Home helped me with my health problems; they resolved my issues with my leg in a very short time. (Milan, Dolnja Bistrica)."