Позитивные изменения. Том 2, № 2 (2022). Positive changes. Volume 2, Issue 2 (2022)

METHODS USED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

The New Friendly Town program is implemented in an overnight camp format for unaccompanied children. Inclusive volunteers work to develop the communication between children with different abilities within integrated units, rather than helping program participants with developmental disabilities.

Children with disabilities help their non-disabled peers fundamentally change the way they view themselves and the world around them. One week in the Friendly Town «recuperates» ordinary teenagers, changing their values – they no longer treat special friends with pity and sympathy, but see them as competitors, someone to learn from and compete against.

The program develops approaches for systematic immersion into basic applied and educational modules for additional education specialists, volunteers, NGO representatives. Technologies like this can become the foundation for the successful development of inclusion in Russian schools.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

Badge "For Special Services in Protection of Children’s Rights and Legitimate Interests in Perm Territory" (2017); Diploma of the Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia (2018); Diploma of the Head of Rosmolodezh (2018); Rybakov Prize, International Award for Philanthropists in Education (2020); inclusion into the Agency for Strategic Initiatives list of 14 federal projects creating inclusive environment, children’s recreation and tourism (2020); Recognition by the UN and inclusion of the program into the list of the best global practices in the field of Sustainable Development Goals (2021); The Impulse of Kindness Award of the "Our Future" Foundation in the "Best Impact Project" nomination (2021); in 2021 the program became the inspiration for Anton Bogdanov’s film "Only I Am Normal", with children from The Friendly Town starring in the motion picture.

FUNDS RAISED IN 2021

A subsidy for the development of inclusive technology from the Ministry of Social Development of the Perm Territory; cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Youth Policy of the Perm Territory as part of the Inclusive Gathering; presentation of the program in movie theaters as part of the debut of "Only I Am Normal" movie.

WHAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR

• Six inclusive shifts were held in the Perm Territory, with 350 children and adolescents from different regions of Russia taking part;

• A week-long field training for the program’s inclusive team was held as part of the School for Kindness Instructors event. The issues of organizing work in inclusive groups with the help of creative methods have been elaborated;

• An inclusive meeting was held in the Perm Territory to share the program’s experience in implementing the technologies for successful integration of children and young people regardless of age, status, geography of residence, physical, mental, and psychological abilities.

DIRECT RESULTS FOR 2021

• 35 people gained experience in organizing inclusive spaces at all types of institutions (a professional team of inclusive specialists, "kindness trainers", have been trained);

• 90 participants of the camp’s shifts, aged 14 to 17, acquired the skills of inclusive volunteers, tutors and inclusive ambassadors in educational institutions;

• 150 inclusive volunteers from educational institutions of the Perm Territory have been trained on the basics of working in inclusive groups and interacting with children with disabilities as part of the program’s inclusive gathering;

• 30 representatives of NGOs and educational institutions from the Perm Territory acquired new knowledge and practical experience of setting up an inclusive environment in the children-youth community as part of the program’s inclusive gathering.

SOCIAL EFFECTS ACHIEVED IN 2021

• Conditions were created to improve the professional competencies of inclusive specialists to work with integrated groups;

• Inclusive volunteers acquired practical competencies as part of the technology implementation of the New Friendly Town program;

• The conditions were established to prevent teen depression and suicide, bullying and unmotivated aggression;

• Conditions were established for improving the relevant competencies of families with disabled children in difficult situations.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

• A 20 % increase in the number of program participants in each subsequent year of the program;

• A 20 % increase in the number of children with disabilities actively engaged in creative or volunteer activities;

• A 15 % annual increase in the number of inclusive volunteers trained;

• A 25 % annual increase in the number of inclusive specialists trained, representing educational institutions and NGOs.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY MODEL

Participation in the program is provided on a paid basis (most of the fees are directed to the organization of the program shifts, staff wages, and program development). Large partners are involved in the organization of the program shifts: MTS, Alfa Bank, Ministry of Social Development of the Perm Territory.

Everland

An inclusive business project offering people with disabilities training and jobs in the field of design, content management, digital competencies, consulting

https://clck.ru/pWrV2

Everland is an inclusive project based on the social entrepreneurship model, which is running since 2016 and offering people with disabilities jobs in the open labor market, regardless of their region of residence. Every Everland employee receives a free internship with professionals. The key element of the Everland ecosystem is a web-based employment platform that allows reducing social costs. The project’s current cost of impact is 35,000 rubles – that’s what it costs on average to integrate 1 person into the labor market.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

Sustainable integration of people with disabilities into the open labor market. Everland provides services to businesses and NGOs in the digital industry: design, content, web-development, as well as legal support services, adaptation of business services for clients with disabilities, and helping employers build inclusive teams. For people with disabilities, the project implements regular programs including training, psychological aid, assistance in the first experience-gaining steps, and the creation of special employment niches for people with disabilities of various nature. Everland also conducts research and implements special projects enabling a more effective dialogue with all the stakeholders – businesses, government, people with disabilities and their families. Today, the Everland community consists of more than 1,800 people with various disabilities from 76 regions of Russia and abroad (7 countries total), with more than 600 people working on a permanent basis in the Everland ecosystem or with partner employers, earning an average of 30,000 rubles monthly.

METHODS USED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

1. An algorithm for psychological and occupational testing, followed by training for people with different types of disabilities in suitable professions.

2. Algorithms for inclusive team-building at employers – internal research in companies, onboarding programs, fine-tuning suitable vacancies and recruiting respective candidates, support and mentorship programs, legal support and supervision.

3. Systems for adapting business services and platforms to customers with disabilities – research, audit programs, focus groups, staff training programs.

4. Offline tools and social programs – family outreach, assistance in education and career guidance, appearance management, and other tools.

5. Popularizing the image of a person with a disability as an independent, active, working member of society.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

1. Everland online platform for professional training and employment of specialists with various types of disabilities is a finalist of the first national ranking "Our Contribution". The ranking is compiled by ANO "National Priorities" based on the 2021 results. The project was implemented by Everland together with its partner, VimpelCom PJSC.

2. Alexey Gorshenin's photo project, "An Ordinary Family", is the winner of #WEARETOGETHER 2021 International Award in the "Media Volunteering" nomination. The project, implemented jointly with the Everland community, provided employment to 16 specialists with disabilities.

FUNDS RAISED IN 2021

13.25 million rubles, including:

• 2.5 million grant from the Presidential Grants Fund

• 3.55 million private donations

• 2.9 million donations from businesses

• 2 million donations from NGOs