Project: Mediation and reconciliation in Bulgarian society. Norwegian-Bulgarian cooperation
Fund for Bilateral Relations at National Level under the EEA FM and NFM 2009-2014
Priority 1: Knowledge exchange in combating drugs and organized crime, children and youth at risk
Projectname: Mediation and reconciliation in Bulgarian society. Norwegian-Bulgarian cooperation.
Beneficiary: Justice and Reconciliation Society, Bulgaria
Project partner:National Mediation Service, Central Administration, Norway
Total project budget:28430 EUR
Project duration: 12 months (08.07.2015 - 07.07.2016)
Project objective: to transfer applicable new skills and methodology in the implementation of alternative ways of conflict resolution and thus, raise the awareness and enhance the professional competencies of Bulgarian reconciliators in this area. That, in turn, will facilitate the better understanding of the extent to which restorative justice approaches could be used to foster mutual trust among members of society and in the long run contribute to the initiation of state policies for effective crime prevention, lowering crime rates and reducing reoffending, especially with regard to juveniles.
Short project description:
Main activities of the project include:
A study visit to Norway. A focus group of 7 people will visit Norway for a period of 5 days in order to exchange best practices in regard to restorative justice and alternative dispute resolution approaches.
Training of Bulgarian experts (2 training sessions).The training activity will be at the center of the project. Following the Norwegian training methodology, the activity will be carried out in 2 phases: twice in 5 days (in Sofia). It will be conducted by 2 experts from the Norwegian National Mediation Service.
Development and maintenance/update of an official website of the JRS. Purchasing books, translation of key Norwegian texts on restorative justice.
Expected project results:
New skills amongst legal, social work practitioners and academicians developed.
Enhancement of knowledge on restorative practices and their implementation within the juvenile justice system will be achieved through:
direct observation, interviews through a close exposure to and observation of Norwegian day-to-day implementation of the RJ and hands-on experience for the Bulgarian study group,
training and identification of best practices,
literature transfer and knowledge dissemination in Bulgaria.
Tailor-made for the Bulgarian context training methodology developed.
The project will allow setting up of an informational hub and blog about restorative justice.
Contact information:
Project Manager: Rumen Petrov
Project Coordinator: Ekaterina Baksanova
Email: jrsociety.bulgaria@gmail.com
