#Rijeka4CSR - Cities4CSR at New Path final conference
Edited on
12 April 2022Joining forces 4 a better city. The Department for Health and Social Welfare of the City of Rijeka has organized the final event for the project New Path, the innovative program for social inclusion of homeless people (ESF), on April 5th, 2022 at the Hotel Bonavia. The event took place in Rijeka with the participation of City representatives as lead partner, The Center for Social Welfare, The Association for Homeless and socially vulnerable persons Oaza, The Homeless shelter “Ruze sv. Franje”, as well as guests and experts from Zagreb, Osijek, Split and Slovenia. The City representatives of Rijeka took this opportunity to capitalize the initiatives ongoing at local level and presented to the audience the actions currently in place in terms of social inclusion within the framework CITIES4CSR.
The City of Rijeka is dedicated to improving its social program, and cooperates closely with experts and associations facing local challenges. The New Path project is tackling a challenge known to every community, and that is social inclusion. Our partners from the Rijeka ULG, and our coordinator Mr. Dejan Travica, participated in the project that fulfilled its goals in the two years of duration. The project resulted in the renovation and equipping of a facility center for supporting the homeless, where our citizens can get legal aid, workshops with diverse psycho-social thematic and even learning aid for children. These activities aim to gradually improve social inclusion, and will remain available after project ending. They will be supported by a FollowUp program to support the homeless with skills and knowledge, which can improve their social status, and actively include them in the community. This activity will be carried out by a mobile team on three locations to ensure availability to all.
The very successful project was concluded with the play Black wool, which was developed and staged by experts, our homeless citizens, and citizens in the risk of poverty. Experiences show that participation in art programs is an effective way of empowering marginalized communities. By being included in the play`s development, the participants gain skills, working habits and new knowledges, they build trust and make social connections. The conference included speeches from Dr. Goran Palcevski, Deputy mayor, and Mr. Drago Lelas, chairman of the association MoSt, and president of the Croatian Homeless Network.
Mrs. Suzana Belosevic Romac of the City of Rijeka, project manager of Cities4CSR, showed support for New Path and our colleagues. Mrs. Belosevic Romac presented the project Cities4CSR to guests of the conference, as the focus of Rijeka in this URBACT project is also social inclusion of vulnerable persons. With the conference being visited by a number of experts, and experienced workers and volunteers, Mrs. Belosevic Romac presented the introduction of CSR activity to the City of Rijeka`s efforts to create better possibilities for our people in need.
The aim of the presentation was to discuss with fellow participants on how CSR activities can help raise awareness of the citizens in need, and adults in need of expert assistance and support for social inclusion and ultimately, achieve a better quality of life. As this is an ongoing challenge and dedication, the commitment to CSR by our local partners is therefore, most welcomed.
The cooperation with these experts and experienced colleagues will continue on the project Cities4CSR.
Submitted by Alessia Dagradi on