1. Completed Project in the Role of Applicant by the "Autism Today" Association: Project “Together for the Invisible Children of Bulgaria” No. PE-SO 2016-PO1-039 under the “Europe” 2016 Program of Sofia Municipality
Project Implementation Period: May 2016 - November 2016
Project Participation: Financing by Sofia Municipality
Within the framework of the project, a lecture training on sensory integration was conducted, titled "Presentation of the Theory and Practice of Sensory-Integrative Therapy." The training attracted the interest of over 200 participants and was part of an informational campaign aimed at the general public, specialists, and educational personnel serving children on the autism spectrum. The main goal is early intervention and prevention of social isolation, increasing public awareness, and improving access to quality care for children with autism through the transfer of know-how.
To achieve this goal, activities included training specialists working with children on the autism spectrum within Sofia Municipality and developing new therapeutic, educational, and rehabilitation programs, services, and activities for these children and their families.
During the six-month project, 474 teachers and specialists and 39 parents of children with autism were trained. The training sessions included foreign lecturers and instructors such as Maude Le Roux, DIR Certificate, and Kristiane Kull Sadacharam, postgraduate USC-USA, and featured numerous practical training sessions for specialists.
2. Project "Human Resource Development"
The "Autism Today" association has won a project under the Operational Program "Human Resource Development". The main goal of the project is to create and develop a Social Enterprise "Autism Today", within which specialists will be hired and trained to work with children with autism for the newly opened center of the "Autism Today" association in Pleven, as well as to purchase appropriate equipment to carry out the activities of the Social Enterprise.
PROCEDURE: BG05М9ОP001-2.010
Operational Program "Human Resource Development" 2014 - 2020
TOTAL PROJECT COST: 168,674.10 BGN
EU Funding via ESF: 143,372.98 BGN
National Funding: 25,301.12 BGN
Implementation Period: June 1, 2018 - August 1, 2019
Goals:
With this project, the Social Enterprise "Autism Today" will be created and developed to provide specialized services and behavioral therapies to children with autism spectrum disorder.
General Objectives:
-To facilitate access to employment and provide support for the social inclusion of 14 disadvantaged individuals in the labor market and other socially excluded individuals by creating suitable conditions for their professional integration in the field of the social economy.
-To provide employment for 14 disadvantaged individuals in the labor market and other socially excluded individuals, aiming to improve their quality of life, promote social inclusion, and integrate them into society.
-To assist in the smooth adaptation of disadvantaged individuals in the labor market and other socially excluded individuals by developing specific knowledge and skills through the appointment of experienced mentors in the respective professional field.
Specific Objectives:
-To establish a new Social Enterprise "Autism Today" with effective management, high capacity, and measurable social benefits for society.
-To provide employment support for 14 disadvantaged individuals in the labor market and other socially excluded individuals for up to 12 months.
-To equip newly created workplaces with specific equipment for working with children with autism, who are part of vulnerable groups in society.
-To ensure mentors for the newly hired individuals from the target group to support their social and professional integration into the social economy sector.
-To implement measures to promote social entrepreneurship, the social economy, and highlight the social impact of the activities of the Social Enterprise "Autism Today".
The project also contributes to achieving the main goal of Priority Axis 2 "Reducing Poverty and Promoting Social Inclusion" from the Operational Program "Human Resource Development" 2014-2020. The project fully corresponds to Investment Priority 4, as it will carry out activities primarily aimed at creating employment opportunities and professional integration in social enterprises for representatives of vulnerable groups, which is a key prerequisite for reducing poverty and the risk of social exclusion. Acquiring real work and professional skills by representatives of vulnerable social groups in the labor market is an important prerequisite for overcoming their social isolation, improving their quality of life, and enhancing their competitiveness in the workplace. The creation and development of the Social Enterprise "Autism Today" establishes conditions for the introduction of new forms of social services in the community and provides employment for specialists by creating new jobs in this specific area of activity. The specific objectives of the project are clearly structured, justified, and measurable. The implementation of the project will ensure their achievement and contribute to the fulfillment of the overall and specific goals of the procedure.
3. Project "Mobile Team"
Project: BG05M9OP001-2.082-0019-C01 "Mobile Team - Innovative Approach for Personal Development of Individuals with Mental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities"
Procedure: BG05M9OP001-2.082 "Personal Development of Individuals with Mental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities"
Total Project Cost: 210,754.15 BGN
EU Funding via ESF: 179,141.03 BGN
National Funding: 31,613.12 BGN
Beneficiary: Association "Autism Today"
Goal: The main goal of the project proposal is to create and develop a mobile team within the "Autism Today" association, which through an innovative approach will contribute to the personal development of individuals with mental disorders and intellectual disabilities.
Implementation Period: August 1, 2020 – September 1, 2022
4. Project Agreement RD 04-25 from 12.05.2021 with the "Social Protection" Fund for the Renewal of Equipment at the ABA Center "Autism Today" - Gorublyane. Project Value: 12,000 BGN.
5. Project "Support for the Implementation of Social Activities and/or Achievement of the Social Goals of Social Enterprises Listed in the Social Enterprises Register"
In 2022, there were two completed projects, one under Component 2 "Support for the Implementation of Social Activities and/or Achievement of the Social Goals of Social Enterprises Listed in the Social Enterprises Register" from the "Social Protection" Fund (SPF). The project's goal was to improve the qualifications of the specialists of the "Autism Today" Association through the exchange of experience and cooperation with international organizations and world experts in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis by organizing the Third International Autism Conference of the "Autism Today" Association.
The Third International Autism Conference and Forum on the Quality of Social Services in Bulgaria were held on November 14 and 15 in the city of Pleven.
The Third International Autism Conference, organized by the "Autism Today" Association, was held under the patronage of the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Iliyana Yotova, from the "Autism Today" Association, and with the support of the "Social Protection" Fund, the "Bulgarian Memory" Foundation, and the Rostov Hotel – Pleven. Topics related to the quality of social services in Bulgaria, as well as various aspects of care for children with autism, were discussed.
Among the speakers were world-renowned specialists such as Dian Fraser, the founder of the French School of Behavioral Therapy and supervisor of the ABA Centers "Autism Today," Dr. Yavuz Oktay from the University of Izmir, Dr. Stoyan Vezenkov, founder and head of the Center for Applied Neurosciences in Sofia.
Representatives of NASO participated in the Third International Autism Conference and Forum on the Quality of Social Services in Bulgaria, which were held on November 14 and 15 in the city of Pleven.
The events were held under the patronage of the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Iliyana Yotova, from the "Autism Today" Association, and with the support of the "Social Protection" Fund, the "Bulgarian Memory" Foundation, and the Rostov Hotel – Pleven.
6. Project "UPGRADING THE MATERIAL BASE OF A DAY CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND/OR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES WITH A PRIORITY ON THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM" - Pleven
Joint Activity Agreement RD 04-109/27.04.2023
Total Project Cost: 63,143.24 BGN
Funding from the Social Protection Fund (SPF): 49,883 BGN (including VAT)
Co-financing by the Beneficiary: 13,260.08 BGN (including VAT)
Beneficiary: ASSOCIATION "AUTISM TODAY"
Objective: Upgrading the material base of a day center for children and/or youth with disabilities (with a priority on the autistic spectrum) in the city of Pleven.
Implementation Period: 01.05.2023 – 30.11.2023
7. Project BG05SFPR002-2.003-0160 Support for Early Childhood Development by Association "Autism Today"
Procedure: BG05SFPR002-2.003 FUTURE FOR CHILDREN
Total Project Value: 385,560.00 BGN
Funding from the European Union: 327,726.00 BGN
Beneficiary: Association "Autism Today"
Objective: The main objective of this project proposal is to provide integrated health-social services and other forms of consultative support aimed at preventing disabilities and mental health issues in children, including those from marginalized communities such as the Roma. The project aims to reduce negative trends associated with child poverty and improve the quality of life in the context of the European Child Guarantee.
Implementation Period: 01.10.2023 – 01.12.2026