The Open Network
Magazine 1 / 2012
The Open Network for Community Development | www.TheOpenNetwork.ro | Iasi, 7000812, Str. Pantelimon 32, Et 5, Apt. 8 | (+4)0727 85 06 91
The Open Network Foundation The Open Network for Community Development is a non- governmental organization founded in April 2012 by Romanian and Flemish partners who wished to ensure visibility, synergy and sustainability for all Romanian-Belgian partnerships established in the field of community development (some active already since 1989), as well as to develop the network through collaboration and exchanges of experience with other national and / or international organizations focused on community development in a broad context.
What we aim to do
How we will we work
- Actively involving communities to achieve sustainable commu- The Open Network promotes and facilitates the implementation of nity development, with and for the people; community development best practices by: - Activation and mobilization of community members, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. We will ensure information and lobbying for resources, trainings, regular dialogue and exchanges, thereby involving the community members in the shaping of European and national policies, as well as in the implementation and monitoring of national legislation;
- Exchanges of experience at national and regional level through courses and workshops; - Development of projects in partnership at local, regional, national and / or international level;
- Access to Bank of materials (online collection of all kinds of - Implementation of actions in a democratic, transparent, repre- actions and educational resources); sentative and inclusive way, ensuring a transparent consultation - Network of regional trainers (with a national coverage). process, information strategies and promotion of best practices in areas such as: education, leadership, health, community development, building up civil society, culture and heritage, environment and waste management, agriculture, sustainable tourism, entrepreneurship; - Coordination and collaboration within the undertakings of Romanian-Belgian organizations representing sustainable community development.
What are our areas of expertise The Open Network is capitalizing the expertise and know-how of Romanian-Belgian partnerships accumulated over 20 years of action in the following areas: Community Development - Education – Culture and heritage Health - Youth - Gender Equality – Civil society – different socio-cultural organizations - Entrepreneurship - Social Inclusion - Social Economy – Environment and waste management - Agriculture – Sustainable Tourism.
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Timeline of the Romanian-Belgian open network of cooperation
Groups) and Training of Trainers, in order to grow a youth movement in Romania, at grassroots level;
2006 - 2012 - development of OLF (Local Women Organizations) and OLB (Local Men Organizations) - grassroots organizations, formal or informal, with a gender focus, developed around 1989 - Belgian committees adopt Romanian villages after the fall ADAMs or CLSes; of the communist regime; first humanitarian actions of ADR 2007 - creation of ADAM Moldovita; Vlaanderen in Romania; 1999 - Vzw Geel Roemenikomitee, LCM, Somepro and other Belgian and Romanian partners create FDAAM - the Foundation for the Development of Mutual Help Associations, an NGO meant to replicate the model of mutualities all around Romania; 1999 - Set-up of the first mutuality in Romania: the Slatina-Timis Mutual Help Association, otherwise known as ADAM SlatinaTimis or ADAMS (this pilot project will soon develop into an incubatory of social and health alternative models of services, at local and regional level, based on solidarity, with and for people);
2009 - 2011 - implementation of the CLS project, by FDAAM (Local Health Councils are being developed all around the country with the purpose to improve the health situation in local communities and collide stakeholders for the elaboration of locally relevant health-policies);
April 2012 - ADR Vlaanderen, SOMEPRO, Glabbeek Committee, Vzw Geel Roemenikomitee, ADAMSlatina-Timis, Europanet and other partners founded The Open Network for Community Development - the NGO that will ensure the continuous development of existing initiatives (ADAM, CLS, OLFs, OLBs) and the 2002 - creation of ADAM Cluj; working point in Focsani in 2007; start of new ones, for a sustainable community development 2004 - creation of AGLT - the Association of Local Youth Groups through international partnerships. from Romania, with the support of SOMEPRO and the Flemish Government; continuous development of GLTs (Local Youth
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Structures and members The Open Network works as a national umbrella organization, connecting Romanian NGOs and informal groups established at local, regional or national level. Here are few of them, differentiated by their activity field: - [Youth, Education, Culture]
AGLT- Association of Local Youth Groups - www.aglt.org; Europanet Association (Iasi county) - www.europanet.ro; Proiect Pro-Europa Association (Vatra Moldovitei, Suceava county);
- [Health] Mutual Help Associations: ADAM Slatina-Timis (Caras-Severin county), ADAM Moldovita (Suceava); Local Health Committees: CLS Taut (Bihor county), CLS Vinatori (Arad county), CLS Viscri (Brașov), CLS Stremț (Alba), CLS Homorod (Brașov county), CLS Vidrașău (Mureș), CLS Lădeşti (Vâlcea), CLS Bordeşti (Vrancea), CLS Cerchejeni (Botosani); CLSes in the Slatina Timis region, county Caraș-Severin: Goleț, Verendin, Sadova Noua etc.;
- [Gender] Men Organizations:
OLB Moldovița (Suceava county), OLB Slatina-Timiș, Goleț, Armeniș, Luncavița-Verendin, Jamu Mare, Oțelu Roșu (Caraș-Severin); OLB Bordești (Vrancea);
Women Organizations: OLF Moldovița (Suceava county), OLF Bordești & Dumitrești(Vrancea); OLF Bacău; OLF Berbești (Vâlcea); OLF Slatina-Timiș, Goleț, Armeniș, Luncavița-Verendin, Jamu Mare, Oțelu Roșu (Caraș-Severin);
- [Local Development]
ADL Cehu Silvaniei (Association for Local Development); SMHO Foundation.
Although different, all these structures have in common their establishment as a result of a Romanian-Belgian partnership and their orientation towards the needs of local communities.
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Regional trainers The regional trainers are key players in maintaining a functional relation and communication between The Open Network and its constituents from local level (be it formal or informal groups), as well as between the local communities and their Belgian partners. Each regional trainer keeps an eye on the development of existing GLTs, OLFs and OLBs, ADLs, CLSes and ADAMs in his/her region and starts up new ones, scales up and promotes best practices, disseminates information resources, trains and coaches local volunteers by organizing regional workshops, facilitates meetings between the Romanian and Belgian partners and reports to TON on all these matters. To enable them to successfully meet their tasks, The Open Network organizes yearly Training of Trainers and National Contact Days, providing the right context for an interactive exchange of experience and an adequate capacity-building. Besides this, The Open Network trainers are using an online platform (the Bank of Materials— www.bancademateriale.wordpress.com), specially designed to facilitate their access to information and educational resources, covering all areas of community development. Thereby they can download and use all sorts of guides, manuals, handouts, multimedia materials and project toolkits on health, education, youth animation, social assistance, gender, social inclusion, active aging, advocacy, community capacity building, environment protection and more. Interested to find more about our models of practice in the field of community development? Do not hesitate to contact us and we shall bridge your connection to the closest trainer from your region to move things further.
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Good news we’ve got to share Since it’s official launch, a lot of developments took place within The Open Network. Here’s a brief record of the main happenings.
National Training of Regional Trainers| Moldovita, April 28, 2012 The Open Network trained its first regional trainers, from 14 different ares, whose task would be to facilitate the cooperation in and between the Romanian communities from their region by delivering regional trainings, doing local visits and coaching the development of local initiatives. Therefore, the 14 regional trainers will provide regional capacity building, enabling local volunteers to achieve a sustainable community development.
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Health for all Regional Seminary | Caransebes, April 30, 2012 The Mutual Help Association Slatina-Timis, in partnership with the Caransebes municipality and Belgian partners, organized the regional seminary on "Health for All" in Caransebes. The meeting was attended by GPs, representatives of the Emergency Municipal Hospital and of the Romanian College of Physicians, members of Belgian partner organizations, as well as one very special guest: the Ambassador of Belgium to Romania, His Excellency, Mr. Philippe Beke. The seminary attendants touch-based on topics such as "Examples of local health centers in Belgium ", "Hospital Management in Belgium " and "Home nursing ". The seminary favored the presentation of The Open Network in front of stakeholders from the region, who declared themselves opened to future collaborations,
Partners’ Meeting | Cehu-
You too should read! | Vatra Moldovitei, May, 2012
The reading promotion campaign launched by the Association Proiect Pro Europa proved to have tremendous national impact, as it got involved more than a 1000 youngsters, passionate On May 7th, 2012, about reading and personal development, as well as many representatives of schools from all around the country, youth organizations and local authorities, various municipal libraries and cultural institutions. partners from Throughout the campaign, 4Kids, the local youth group of the Dilbeek (Belgium) association, organized reading and creative writing workshops and local civil society organizations (Association for Local Devel- for children and young people from Ciumarna, Valea lui Stan opment Cehu Silvaniei, Down Syndrome Association) met each and Vatra Moldovitei, combining game activites, passion for other and established the areas of their future collaboration. reading, fun group activities and quality pass-time with friends. Therefore, the Townhall from Cehu Silvaniei engaged to allocate a space for the creation of a Community Center for Social Services, already expected to host one itinerant campaign to prevent chronic diseases. The members of the Association for Local Development (ADL, in brief) advocated for the establishment of a working point with Caritas Alba Iulia (details of the collaboration were to be established through a future working meeting in Oradea). At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the Committee of Dilbeek, Mrs. Hilde Maes handed to Ms. E. Nagy the sum of 6000 euros to buy a minivan for the benefit of the Down Syndrome Association (the same transportation activities will serve to ADL). Silvaniei, May 7, 2012
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The Ambassador of Belgium visits ADAM Cluj |
National teaching symposium | June 2012
Cluj, May 28, 2012 On May 28, the Ambassador of Belgium to Romania, Mr. Philippe Beke, was visiting our colleagues from ADAM Cluj. On this occasion, Liliana and Brandusa showcased the service offer of the Health Shop and the prevention campaigns organized in the city. This was a good opportunity to say “Thank you, Mr. Ambassador” for promoting the Association’s activities in relation to the private sector, the more since it impacted on the attraction of new funds for ADAM projects’ direct benefit.
The Association Proiect Pro Europa initiated and coordinated the National Teaching Symposium, inscribed as an activity within the framework of Scoala Altfel (en: School, just differently) – a governmental program focused on promoting non-formal education, piloted in public schools, from 2 to 6 April 2012. The completed works of the Symposium produced by beneficiaries of the non-formal education program were published in a volume which allowed to showcase examples of good practices and impact studies of specific activities carried out in schools across the country, as well as the log file of students who were directly involved in the program.
Building Bridges project meeting | Turnhout, June 20-24, 2012 Between 20 to 24 June 2012, in Turnhout, Belgium, 25 participants - staff and learners (from Romania, Belgium, Italy, Turkey, France, Slovakia) have had their second meeting in the framework of the Grundtvig project "Building Bridges - promoting lifelong learning supported by intergenerational exchange of experience", financed by the European Commission. The program of the meeting focused on highlighting the Belgian experience in terms of social volunteerism and community development interventions at local and national level, all having in common an intergenerational approach. Also on this occasion was launched the project website (www.europanet.ro / building bridges), made by Matteo Sperantza and Malin Sofrone, EUROPANET learners. The purpose of the project website is to collect materials (case studies, photos, articles, news) and disseminate them to all parties, thereby expanding the international learning experience. The national project coordinators have established the dates for the following project meetings, one in Slovakia (17-21 October) and another one in Italy (22 to 25 May 2013). Not lastly, all partners discussed the possibility of organizing bilateral meetings that will enable them to set up new projects.
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SPEAS—AGLT summer camp | Baisoara, June 2529, 2012 2010 was the year when SPEAS was onset - a volunteer training project designed by the Association of Local Youth Groups (AGLT) to facilitate the development of activities for children and youth with disabilities. Over time, the project results were very satisfactory: volunteers were trained and GLTs have partnered with centers for children with disabilities which led to monthly activities indoors. But things did not stop there. In the summer of 2011 AGLT was contacted with the request to send the first volunteers at a camp for children with disabilities, organized by Dan Baciu. Summer camps continued to be organized in the same location: the resort Baisoara. The first camp this year (25-29 June) was attended by 5 children with physical and mental disabilities, three of them accompanied by parents, and 3 leaders AGLT. The camp theme was "Pirates and hidden treasure" and the children had to fulfill various tasks for the weekend to become real pirates. The activities were very
diverse and creative: active games, competition, beauty salon, fort building, puppet shows, photo sessions, dances, massage and more, with results above expectations. AGLT accomplished its mission: children more than happy, impressed parents and leaders once again proud to be part of AGLT!
ADR-Vlaanderen meets the province of East Flanders | Belgium, June 16, 2012
volunteers, stressed the importance to reflect on the projects, together with all groups involved. Principals of the provincial policy are: the integrated approach, cooperation between various actors and the attention to the strengthening of civil society and building a social movement, both locally and internationally. Jozef Goebels, president of ADR-Vlaanderen and of The Open Network, had the opportunity to present in this meeting the projects ADR is working on in Romania. This projects conform perfectly to the principles of the provincial policy. A journalist present at this meeting suggested to Jozef Goebels to write a book about his experiences in more than 20 years of cooperation between Flanders and Romania!
The province of East-Flanders, Belgium, organized on June 16th a World day. During this meeting all local groups of volunteers involved in projects of international solidarity, and supported by the province, could present their projects to all the people attending this meeting. Most of this projects are situated in the South, but ADR-Vlaanderen and local groups of Kruibeke, Aalst, ‌, were asked to present their projects in Romania. The Provincial Executive responsible for the support to this groups of
Projects for small scale farming |
Suceava region,
July 2012 The Open Network starts up new regional development projects in the area of Suceava, Moldovita, Vatra Moldovitei, Ciumarna, Paltin, aiming to assess the potential of small agricultural production, enhance the socio-economic inclusion of small producers and increase their associativity. The project will be developed during 2013-2016 and will build the agricultural brand of the area mentioned above with the launch of home-made organic products.
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Regional Meeting | Valea Chioarului, July 7, 2012 Our regional trainer, Portik Laszlo, organized his first regional meeting on July 7th, in Valea Chioarului. The meeting was attended by the mayor of the municipality, Burde Ioan, by the family doctor and local coordinator of Romanian-Belgian initiatives, Dorca Dan, as well as by other representatives of the local community. The meeting kicked off with a presentation of The Open Network foundation and of its objectives. The representative of the Belgian partner committee, Van Hecke Freddy from Afflighem, was most interested in the development of tourism activities in the area.
Entrepreneurship and intercultural summercamp | Vatra Moldovitei, July 2012 The Association Proiect Pro Europa organized throughout the summer holidays a comprehensive program for children and young people - school and summer camp on multicultural education - which included: creative workshops and traditional crafting (painted eggs, painting on glass, making of traditional masks, cooking), trips and workshops with local artisans (stone and wood carvers), day trip to the monasteries of Bucovina (Moldovita, Sucevita, Bogdana, Putna, Dragomirna, Humor, Voronet), hiking and travel by horse-drawn cart. The camp program also included: games of self-awareness, to encourage active and assertive behaviour among participants, personal skills development, mini-information sessions on local history and traditions, carnival and a parade of medieval costumes; various competitions, barbecue and bonfire. This year’s camp opened with a group of 16 children from Waldorf School from Iasi who participated enthusiastically in various and unique recreational activities, in respect for ancestral traditions of our nation. Camp Location: Ciumarna, in the Vatra Moldovitei commune, Suceava county, a mountain village, situated close to the sky and to the beautiful and hospitable people.
Following the discussions, our regional trainer could find out that, in what concerns the social sector, the local community and their Belgian partners have developed a social program rather well articulated and well accepted by the locals (goods vouchers - 10 RON for food and 10 RON for clothes - were issued for people in need assistance). In addition, the Belgian partners continue to offer packages of subsistence in disadvantaged villages, but will need support from other stakeholders (mayor and councilors, doctors) to extend and adapt the program to other localities. The local community is considering working with consulting companies to implement other social projects (eg.: setting up an economic store, establishment of a mediatheque etc.). Other topics that were brought in discussion: how to motivate volunteers inYiA project won by APPE - Local Development volved in RO-BE exchanges, how to promote the community as a brand, what are the possibilities to collaborate with other or- Center for Ciumarna | Vatra Moldovitei, July 2012 ganizations / communities of The Open Network. A new meeting The Association Proiect Pro Europa (APPE) received approval of was planned for August 1. Also on this date will be set and if the the project submitted in the Youth in Action Programme, Action Belgian partners join the program Afflighem Fee for Service. 1.2, Youth Initiative, and will benefit of a budget of 4950 euros for the organization of the Local Development Center in Ciumarna, Vatra Moldovitei. (continue reading on the next page....)
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The project proposal, highly credited in the qualitative evaluation, foresaw the arrangement of a multipurpose site at the APPE headquarters, which will include: a Toy Library (equipped with games, toys, sports equipment, etc.. to be made available to children during the play-days organized by the youth group of the association); a small library (school books, encyclopedias, dictionaries); a training room for the young volunteers of the GLT as for all young people involved in personal / professional training; an exhibition space for all competitions and creative workshops; space for handmade, recycling and reconditioning activities. Project implementation period: September 20, 2012 - April 30, 2013.
nessing village habits in Romania, Romanian and Belgian thematic evenings, and a last evening fire camp, to celebrate the wonderful time spent together.
Official opening of the ADAM Moldovita SocialMedical Center | Moldovita, August 2, 2012
The Mutual Aid Association A.D.A.M. Moldovita, in partnership with Moldovita Townhall, officially opened the ADAM Moldovita Social Medical Center Moldova on August 2nd. This event was marked by the visit of His Excellency, Ambassador of Belgium to Romania, Philippe Beke, and organized as it follows: - 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.- work meeting at City Hall in Moldovita; Building a Youth(full) Life Together | Viscri, July 6 - 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - visit at the Painted Eggs Museum; -15, 2012 - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.- official opening of the Social-Medical Between 6 to 15 July 2012, in Viscri –Brasov took place a Ro- Center and launch of the "Building Bridges" (European Commismanian-Belgian youth exchange, within the framework of the sion funded project supported by the Youth in Action program). "Building A Youth (full) Life Together", ongoing project financed through the Youth in Action European program. The two groups of youngsters had the opportunity to learn about each other’s lifestyle and culture, to interact and to develop activities in the 10 days they spent together. Besides organizing play days for the children in the village, the youngsters renovated a house that will now be Viscri’s youth site for activities. The play-days were held only in the morning and, in the afternoon, the two groups participated in the renovation of the house (installation, painting, space planning). The effort was a big one, but two groups’ desire to work was what made possible the inauguration of the house on July 14, 2012. Over the 10 days, there have been organized various activities aimed at facilitating the mutual knowledge and interaction: wit-
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The Open Network for Community Development | www.TheOpenNetwork.ro | Iasi, 7000812, Str. Pantelimon 32, Et 5, Apt. 8 | (+4)0727 85 06