SOS Children’s Village has launched its “Prevention of Child Abandonment and Family Strengthening Project (FSP)”, funded by the European Union.
The grant contract was signed by SOS Children’s Village National Director Pelin Maneoğlu at the European Union Project Support Office (EUPSO) in Lefkoşa, on December 2, 2014.
The Family Strengthening Project under SOS Children’s Village – which has helped 454 children and 180 families since its establishment in 2005 – will receive 80% of the budget from the European Union, under the Cypriot Civil Society in Action programme, to aim to reduce rates of child abuse and neglect in the northern part of Cyprus.
The total cost of the project will be 335,807 EUR, of which approximately 270,000 EUR will be funded by the European Union.
The 36-month project aims to serve 60 families, 150 children and young adults (aged 0-23), who are under the risk of losing the care of their biological family.
Based on the families’ needs, FSP will provide a range of services (material, health and education, psycho-social support, child rights and responsibilities training) and vocational training.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Folk Arts Foundation (HAS-DER) and the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Artisans and Shopkeepers, a range of handcraft and vocational courses will be provided to FSP parents, in order for them to gain new skill sets and join the active labour force easily.
The ultimate aim is for the parents to become economically self-reliant, which in turn will improve the living standards of the families and their children.
SOS Children’s Village National Director Pelin Maneoğlu said: “For more than 20 years, we have provided family-based care to underprivileged children across the northern part of Cyprus.”
“Since 2005, the Prevention of Child Abandonment and Family Strengthening Project (FSP) has served 454 children and 180 families under social risk. We are proud to announce that the project capacity will be increased to serve more children at risk of losing their biological families, thanks to this crucial funding by the European Union.”
“With this invaluable financial support from the European Union, we are about to take a step further in strengthening families at social risk; thus sustaining a quality family-based upbringing for children in our country,” she said.
The project – funded by the European Union under the Cypriot Civil Society in Action programme – will be launched with a reception, details of which will soon be announced.
