CONCORDIA
Think Human Fund
Mission & History
CONCORDIA Social Projects is a non-profit association comprising a foundation in Vienna and six sister organizations in Bulgaria, Germany, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, and Switzerland. As an international aid organization, CONCORDIA focuses on supporting socially disadvantaged and marginalized children, youth, and families.
The core mission is to provide onsite assistance, ensuring protection and empowerment for a self-determined life outside marginalization. Operating in five countries, CONCORDIA’s programs include childcare, community interventions, education, training, employment, and empowerment, aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Goals. In 2021, they assisted 12,926 individuals, reaching thousands across their project countries.
Country Information
In 2020, UNICEF highlighted that 36.2% of children in Bulgaria under 18 were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, far exceeding the EU average of 24.2%. This issue heavily affects children, with households having multiple children facing a 67% risk and single-parent households a 49% risk. Children with parents possessing only primary education are at a tenfold increased risk, particularly in households with minimal economic activity, where the risk skyrockets to 90.3%. The Roma community is hardest hit, with 66.2% living in poverty and experiencing a fourfold increase in poverty or social exclusion risks.
At CONCORDIA Bulgaria, 2,000 individuals are supported yearly, including 1,300 children under 18, many from impoverished backgrounds – with sports program that benefits over 250 children annually.
The Need
Concordia Bulgaria’s educational project targets the urgent needs of children and youth at risk of poverty, social exclusion, and neglect. These individuals often lack access to quality education, emotional support, and career development opportunities. The initiative aims to reduce inequalities that prevent vulnerable youth from acquiring the skills and confidence needed to thrive in school and society. The key challenge is the risk of educational failure and social marginalization faced by disadvantaged children and youth. The beneficiaries often face hurdles like poverty, family instability, inadequate educational resources, emotional trauma, and limited access to technology and job prospects. Aiming to enhance their academic success, emotional well-being, and digital skills, empowering them to build independent and self-determined futures.
The Project We Fund
Concordia Bulgaria’s educational project aids at-risk children and youth by offering tutoring, life skills training, and social development. It features after-school programs, creative learning, and workshops on health and professional paths, aiming to bridge educational gaps and enhance digital skills. The project focuses on providing vulnerable children (ages 7-15) with equal access to quality education and vocational training to break the cycle of poverty. Key activities include the Summer Break Program, with excursions, sports, creative and digital literacy workshops; the Summer School Program, focusing on academic reinforcement; and year-round tutoring and life skills training, all designed to build resilience and independence.
The Result
Concordia Bulgaria efficiently monitors the impact of its educational and social programs using a comprehensive approach that integrates data collection, feedback systems, outcome-based evaluation, and external reviews. The process enables them to continuously enhance our interventions, ensuring they align with the needs of vulnerable children and families.
