Project
Goal
Results
Beneficiaries

 ‘…from ‘INTERSYC I’ to implementation of ‘INTERSYC II…’

The ‘INTERSYC II’ project is the continuation of the successful project INTERSYC “Integrated Territorial Synergies for Children Health and Protection”, that was implemented during the period 2013-2015.It’s worth mentioning that ‘INTERSYC  I’ won the 1st place award for the best proposal to perform during the Project Slam of “INTERREG 25 years'” event, that took place in Luxembourg.The ‘INTERSYC I’  project proved to be an indispensable tool in addressing the needs of vulnerable children in Greece and Bulgaria.

Both projects apply to the high need for cross-border cooperation on issues related to children at risk.

The overall objective of INTERSYC II is the development of means for protection of children in danger and improvement of the level of Health and Social Care services for children.INTERSYC II is an integrated set of activities aiming at improving the quality of life of the children in cross-border areas of implementation through the development of four 4 axes of intervention:

  • Axis 1: Protection of Children in Danger - Promotion of  European Tools
  • Axis 2: Improvement of Health Services  for Children
  • Axis 3: Improvement of  Social Care Services for Children
  • Axis 4: Supportive actions related to the treatment of crisis of COVID-19

 

Main Activities & Deliverables:

1) Preventive Medicine Actions took place at cross border regions of Greece and Bulgaria addressed to children in need.  Medical examinations were held  to 6.828 children Greece:3.282 , Bulgaria: 3.546 (Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, Otorhinolaryngology, Orthopedic), through Mobile Multi-Medical Units of ‘The Smile of the Child’.

 2)Public Demonstrative Events & Training Seminars addressed to 1.065 (Greece: 535 , Bulgaria: 530) public officials such as representatives of police authorities, of civil protection, of social & welfare services , to school teachers and NGOs Staff on the operation of the European Hotline for Missing Children 116000 and  in the management of cases of disappearance of minors and adults , of transfer best practices and know-how related to Amber Alert operation and European Child Alert Automated System (ECAAS).

3)Mixed Roundtables addressed to 190 members of Search & Rescue teams for exchange of practices, knowledge and configuration of ‘Common Standards’ in cases of missing minors in Greece and Bulgaria.

4)Training seminars addressed to 727 persons (Greece: 267 ,Bulgaria:340) such as school teachers and staff working with children  in First Aid and the BLS/AED (Basic Life Support/Automated External Defibrillation), officially certified by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).

5)Voluntary Blood Donation Actions  took place during Covid-19 pandemic period in close cooperation with public authorities such as Municipalities & National Hospitals in cross border areas in Greece and Bulgaria.In Greece 240 bottle units of blood were collected.

6)Online Lecturing Sessions addressed to 545 school psychologists, pedagogical advisers & teachers (Greece:315, Bulgaria:230), aiming at educating them for gaining specific knowledge, competences and skills a) on how to act around Covid-19 and viral infections and b)on thematic units such as school bullying, internet safety , rights of the child etc in order to be able to support and advice pupils, parents and other professionals in school communities with a proper way.

7) Conduction of a large-scale Study on the effects of distant learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, with proposals for more effective online learning in future similar conditions (1.189 teachers and 6 052 students took part in Bulgaria).

8)Provision of psychological & social support to children and families affected by the Covid-19 crisis: in Greece, the provision of psychological & social support was provided via the operalization of the European Helpline 116111, operated by LB ‘The Smile of the Child’ with experts psychologists, available for every child & adult 24/7, 365 days for the provision of support on issues of their concern. In Bulgaria, the provision of psychological support was provided online via the use of existing digital platform managed by specialists-psychologists, aiming at provision of support, advice and referrals to other relevant institutions.

9)Α campaign of information, awareness, education in relevance with Covid-19  using digital tools in Greece and Bulgaria, aiming at  helping people find useful information, raising awareness of simple measures people can take to slow the spread of the disease according to the World Health Organization, protecting people from misinformation and promoting ways of management and prevention of the infection of coronavirus.

10)Purchase of Mobile Units & Emergency Vehicles for transfer of infants & children, for Search & Rescue operations along with purchase of necessary Medical Equipment with the purpose of strengthening National Health Systems in cross border level, especially in remote areas. All of them are set at the disposal of  relevant public authorities for the urgent transfer of people who belong at risk and vulnerable groups ,residing in cross border areas dealing with any health & social problems.

  • Purchase 1 Mobile Medical Intensive Care Unit (fully equipped) for transfer of infants & children.
  • Upgrade of 2 existing Medical Mobile Units/Ambulances(first aid stations ,transfer of incidents).
  • Purchase of  Medical Equipment i.e. 2 Incubators compatible with 2 monitors, 4 blood donation chairs , 3 defibrillators (AED).
  • Purchase of 7 Emergency Vehicles for Search & Rescue Operations in cross border regions of Greece and Bulgaria.

 

Results:

  • Immediate help in cases of missing children through the operation of 116000, the  Amber Alert, and the ECAAS.
  • Addressed crucial social problems such as trafficking, which is linked directly to the disappearances of children, the support of families in crisis and the ensuring of good health for children as decisive factors for keeping the local population in its residence.
  • Creation of a close cooperation framework between law enforcement bodies of the two countries. Enrichment of experiences of the cooperating local bodies and NGOs.
  • Accurate prevention of diseases development in the child population of the areas of implementation.
  • Raising awareness into educational units and local government bodies on medical and hygiene matters.
  • Improvement of the skills of the staff working with children in the area of first aid – dealing with emergency cases.
  • Strengthening the access of vulnerable, disadvantaged groups in cross border areas to health and social services.
  • Empowering the National Health Systems  through the implementation of voluntary blood donation actions ,purchasing of medical equipment, of mobile medical ICU, upgrading of existing ambulances.
  • Responding to an emergency situation contributing in the prevention of social crisis, through provision of psychosocial support.
  • Improved the attractiveness of the area by improving the quality of life of the residents by focusing on the target group of children.
  • Strengthened relationships between the two sides and created favorable environment for the development of sustainable economic activities.

Project’s Leaflets:

Project’s Videos:

Project’s Activities Brochures:

Project’s Activities Posters:

Study:

Project’s Activities Photos: