DONOR: UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina and M:tel
DURATION: October 2011 – March 2013
LOCATION: Laktaši, Kotor Varoš, Novi Grad, Višegrad, Bileća, Livno, Stolac, Novi Grad / Sarajevo, Travnik, Sanski Most, Čelinac, Doboj, Derventa, Gacko, Mrkonjić Grad, Brčko District, Tesanj, Kupres, Posušje, Velika Kladuša, Gornji Vakuf.
OVERALL GOAL: The overall objective of the SPIS project was to improve the social welfare system at all levels, enhancing the program framework and capacity for social protection and inclusion of children with special emphasis on the application of an approach based on the needs and human rights. Within this broader concept, special emphasis was placed on the involvement of children through workshops on participatory action research, and through the wall of children’s wishes – interactive multimedia platform that draws children across the country to express their wishes and requirements in accordance with their rights guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The project was composed out of five equal activities (approaches):
• SPI and CRC workshops with children (80 workshops in 10 municipalities).
• Peaceful conflict resolution workshops with children (44 workshops in 11 municipalities).
• Educational, interactive puppet shows (22 puppet shows in 11 municipalities).
• Production of minimum 55 one-minute junior movies (11 OMJM trainings in 11 municipalities).
• Organization of One Minute Junior Movies Festival.
• PR/Visibility events.
The results were:
• Improved knowledge and skills among children on SPI and CRC provisions and it’s co-relation with Children’s Wishes and requests concept; increased communication and presentation skills of children.
• Improved children’s knowledge and skills in peace building and tolerance.
• Improved knowledge of younger children on conflict origins, conflict prevention and different reactions in conflict.
• In total, 10 children project proposals/initiatives (Community Action Plans/ CAPs) implemented in 10 selected local communities, thanks to UNICEF/M:tel funding.
• In total 105 one-minute junior movies produced in 11 municipalities.
• Municipality commitments and small grants from M:tel and UNICEF ensured.
• Visibility ensured and more local partners mobilised to support the initiatives.
Lessons learned during the implementation of the project, regarding the participatory action research used within Activity 1:
• PAR methodology enabled and improved participation of children
• PAR methodology enabled intellectual and social engagement of all participants in process
• PAR methodology created an environment that provided support to all participants in the process and it was very important to make it clear to all participants that PAR methodology was an excellent starting point for future community based actions in all fields of life.
Lessons learned during implementation of Activity 2. “Peaceful Conflict Resolution workshops with children “ were:
a. Participants were competitive and highly motivated to participate
b. Participants were stimulated to give maximal emotional and social involvement
c. Project activities fitted very well into the local cultural environment, tradition and system of values
Lessons learned during implementation of Activity 3 “Educational, interactive puppet theatre performances on peaceful conflict resolution” were:
a. The puppet shows were the most appropriate and creative way of educating children from 7 to 11 years old
b. The puppet theatre performances lead to emotional, cognitive and social inclusion of children
c. Children actively participated in puppet shows by answering questions
d. Children remembered what they learnt through this type of education. They took the messages home and inform their parents and other persons from their environment.
Lessons learned during implementation of Activity 4 “Production of One-minute Junior Movies”:
– Participants were very motivated to participate
– Participants were stimulated to give emotional and social involvement
– Participants had the opportunity to show their creativity and express their ideas in very interesting way