The project “The Ability to Change” (2019-2021) is a two-year project implemented by the Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) with the financial support of the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation.
It is a logical extension of a previous project of BFPA “The Art to Inform” – 2013 - 2018.
The project aims to contribute for eradication of all forms of sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in a moment when Bulgaria is with the highest perceived prevalence of all forms of such exploitation among the countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The project strives to change public attitudes and understanding and to attribute to “zero” tolerance in cases of child sexual exploitation. Additionally, it promotes pro-active, well-coordinated partnership approaches between different stakeholders and sectors in order to improve the implementation of the existing policy and legislative framework. The expected outcomes include strengthening the capacity of the Learning Action Partnership (LAP) and its members (LAP is an interdisciplinary network, consisted of governmental institutions, NGOs and academia, created under “The Art to Inform” project) and extending the functioning of the LAP as a resource “hub” and coordination unit of the efforts of the state institutions and the civil society sector to combat sexual exploitation of children and youth in Bulgaria. The project will use innovative approaches (e.g. story telling) to broaden understanding of the causes for the sexual exploitation of children and youth and to change societal norms and behavior in the Bulgarian society that increase the risks. Specific attention will be given to topics like violence and addressing harmful norms and stereotypes.
By mobilizing all relevant supporters, such as NGOs working with children, youth organizations, parent’s organizations, state institutions and agencies, education institutions and authorities, business organizations and media, the project will try to decrease the vulnerability of the environment for all children in the country. Special focus of all activities will be given to most vulnerable groups: those from poor and marginalized communities, children with disabilities, migrant children, etc.
