SOCIETY

The municipality of Ampelokipi - Menemeni, in the context of the implementation of the   European Competitive Cooperation Program "URBACT III Implementation Network", participated as a partner in the implementation of the project entitled "Stay Tuned".

The project was implemented through a network of 9 collaborating cities.

 The municipality of Ampelokipi - Menemeni has 50 schools with approximately 3,000 students. Early school leaving amounts to 11.4% and is more pronounced compared to the corresponding national level which amounts to 7.9%.

 The problem of early school leaving concerns the municipality of Ampelokipi - Menemeni, because it exists very strongly in the area of ​​Ag. Nektariou (Dendropotamos), where 2,500 ROMA live, while it doesn’t exist so strongly in the other areas and in the schools of the municipality. 3,500 immigrants live within the boundaries of the municipality and a large part of the population is unemployed or working with low incomes, facts that sometimes cause phenomena of social exclusion and marginalization and are causes that contribute to the phenomenon of early school leaving. The consequences of early school leaving are seen both at the individual level and affect people throughout their lives, increasing the risk of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, but also at the level of the economy and society in general. This is because people who leave school early tend to participate less in democratic processes and are less active citizens with long-term effects on social developments and economic development. The effects of early school leaving therefore concern the whole of society and is an issue that must be addressed over time.

How to design and implement the project:

In the framework of the first phase of the implementation of the program, the Municipality of Ampelokipi - Menemeni, in addition to the other actions that implemented, created a URBACT local group, consisting of interested parties - experts, in matters of education, training, but also dealing with daily living problems the vulnerable groups of the municipality (e.g. church, administration and services of the municipality, M.K.O., ROMA mediators, local associations, etc.). The members participated in 12 scheduled meetings in which they contributed with their knowledge and experiences in comprehensively mapping the problem and finding proposals-solutions in order to update the local action plan for the prevention of early school leaving.

 After the successful completion of the first phase of the program's implementation and the positive evaluation by URBACT, the implementation of the second phase of the project entitled "Stay Tuned" was approved. This new title was decided by the partners during the implementation of the A' phase (as one of the obligations of the network during the A' phase). Characteristic of the success of the project and the very high evaluation received by the proposal for the implementation of the B' phase is that of the 8 city networks that participated in the A' phase, only 4 were selected to continue their implementation in the B' phase, one of which the above network is. Phase II lasted two years.

 During the implementation of the project, the municipality updated the local school leak management plan, took measures, carried out and continues to carry out actions that contribute and help to limit the problem. At the same time, he took advantage of the operation of the Community Center and especially of the Roma Branch, which is housed within the Community of Agios Nektarios. Through the creation of a strong Project team, with the undivided support of the Municipality Administration, he managed to design and implement an integrated Action Plan, with main Actions:

1) Extensive school roof program (almost completed)

• combating the double shift (exclusive morning operation of schools)
• better distribution of school units in the urban complex
• creation of new faculties with an attractive environment
• regular maintenance of school units
• custody and protection of school units

2) Actions to combat the causes of school dropout

• implementation of an integrated Remedial Teaching Program for Primary, Middle and High School students in collaboration with the NGO Pharos tou Kosmos
• design and creation of three Educational Guides for young people, parents and teachers, with the aim of informing about the phenomenon of school dropout and the available educational options after High School, in collaboration with the Alpha Network
• establishment and operation of the Community Center with a Roma Annex in the area of ​​Agios Nektarios, through which the Municipality gained a better knowledge of the community and its special needs
• supporting services (e.g. counseling services, psychologist, sociologist, etc.)
• operation of Parent Schools
• actions to support needy families (TEBA, Social Grocery Store, Social Pharmacy, etc.)
• cultural events & sports events
• sports infrastructure (e.g. "Karafotis" stadium in Agios Nektarios)
• support of local Associations and Agencies and strengthening of the Municipality's cooperation with them
• operation of Centre of Creative Employment and Centre of Creative Employment for people with disabilities
• camps
• meetings with the local team of ROMA mediators and other institutions related to education, with a bottom-up approach ,in the framework of the ROMED and FEMROM program, to highlight the problems of the local community and the problem of the school of abandonment in order to find solutions to the problem
• cooperation with the local ROMA mediators

Duration & continuity of project

The Municipality of Ampelokipi-Menemeni continues its efforts to support the citizens through the strengthening of the Community Center of Roma, which has been staffed with an Employment Counselor. The ultimate goal is the social inclusion and active citizenship of the residents.

Regarding the educational leakage, the interest has shifted towards the strengthening of the Second Chance School, Vocational Education and the promotion of young people towards Higher Education.

In this context,  some of the priorities of the Municipality actions are to empower Roma women, strengthen their participation in decision-making and cooperation with local Associations.

Originality and Innovation:

The originality and innovation of the Action Plan of the municipality of Ampelokipi-Menemeni lies in the way the municipality approached the phenomenon of leakage from education and training. The fact that the Local Government Agencies do not have competence regarding the educational process prompted the Project Team to look for ways to contribute to understanding, the reduction of educational leakage and the strengthening of education through a holistic approach and an action plan alongside the operation of schools.

The Municipality, through the services of the Directorate of Social Protection - Education - Sports - Culture and the Community Center with Annex ROMA, managed to support, inform and empower young people, parents, adults and schools. In this effort the municipality acted as a Coordinator with valuable supporters and assistants the local bodies and the schools. The support from the Municipality Administration, the excellent cooperation of the Team with each other and with the partners, the different perspective of education and the inclusion of local partners in the decision-making process are some of the success factors.

Awards:

From 1 to 3 February 2022, the work of URBACT e-University 2022 took place. It is a series of events focused on supporting the cities participating in the URBACT network. In this context, on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the municipality was invited to present as good practice its experience from the implementation of its Action Plan for Early School Leaving .At the event attended by representatives from all over Europe, the Municipality had the opportunity to present the obstacles and challenges that faced during the implementation of the Action Plan, its methodology and way of working, the results of its efforts and its added value project for the municipality.