The initial situation of the project is that currently in Slovakia Roma volunteer programs are increasingly successful, but for the motivation and supervision of Roma volunteers, it is necessary to have sufficiently secured project management. At present, the organization can recruit freshmen - fourth-graders from primary schools to the BBS program in the Košice region and also support adult Roma communities in volunteering activities for their surroundings and the enhancement of tourism. However, they perceive this as insufficient, because children in the 9th grade drop out of the program and there are no opportunities to pay attention to them. Also the conditions of the Košice and Prešov regions are very similar in many aspects and the Volunteer Center would like to focus on its programs.
The project aims at Roma children and young adults. The Volunteer Center has been working with Roma communities for 15 years and is cooperating with other organizations that also work with the Roma community. In this project, they are developing two concepts - BBS (Big Brother/Sister) and CREDO. BBS is a preparation for Roma children from kindergartens, with volunteers from the ranks of high school and university youth. CREDO focuses on revitalizing and improving the conditions of Roma settlements in the Košice region. Both, Roma and non-Roma citizens are involved in the program. CREDO won the Volunteer Project of the Year award at both - regional and national level.
Volunteer coordinators will be regularly in the field, both with their communities and volunteers and with mayors and action groups in the district to support the development of localities in volunteering activities and be in line with the plans and goals of the municipalities.
The project will be beneficiary for the people of the local community, vulnerable groups - specifically the Roma community, people threaten by poverty and homeless people.