Project "Development of Multifunctional Centers as Driver for Social Inclusion and Development of Local Community" Similar demographic and social changes occur in the regions of Latvia and Lithuania: there is an aging population; demographic burden is rising; the number of people with functional disorders are on the rise; rural and peripheral areas are of higher risk of poverty. In the meantime availability of social workers decreases. Therefore demand for local multifunctional centres with effective social services and social inclusion measures in rural areas of regions is rising. Therefore Zemgale Planning Region, together with six municipalities of Latvia and Lithuania, has developed a project aimed to promote accessibility of social services and promote social inclusion of people with disabilities and predictable disability, seniors, families with children with disabilities and children and youth at risk by creation and improvement of multifunctional centres where social inclusion measures and social services will be provided. In two years, 4 new social services like day center, day care center, community center, multifunctional social service center will be created in Jelgava, Dobele (Auce), Bauska (Vecumnieki) and Plunge municipalities. 14 new social inclusion measures will be offered in Jelgava, Birži and Rokiški municipalities: sensory room, art and theatre studio, English language courses, music making, sports, new technologies and information training for seniors, lectures for parents with children with disabilities, school of social skills, leisure camps for children etc.. Specialists from partner municipalities will participate in four experience exchange trips and three day long training event. Guidelines for multi-functional centres where social services and social inclusion measures such as cultural and sporting activities for vulnerable groups are implemented successfully together will be created. Project partners will pilot such joint social inclusion measures like cross-border event for seniors, camp for children at risk, festival for disabled people. After pilot activities social measures will be evaluated and upgraded. As the result of the project, multifunctional centres in project will be improved and social services and social inclusion measures in Latvia and Lithuania regions will become more accessible to at least 706 people with disabilities and predictable disability, seniors, families with children with disabilities and children and youth at risk.
