Catching-up programme for the population of the Kunhegyes district
The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta implemented the so-called ‘Presence’model programme in Hungary’s fourth most disadvantaged district, Kunhegyes. The main objective of the programme is to provide a personal and permanent supportive presence. It aims to improve the quality of life and the future prospects of the local population. It helped create equal opportunities for young people in the district by setting up a mentoring system, creating a community space, offering active leisure opportunities and mental health programmes. It also contributed to reducing earlyschool leaving through tailor-made solutions, preventive measures and career guidance. Parents with young children received support from health visitors. In Tiszabura and Tiszabő ‘Presence points’ offering social services were established. The Charity Service has been active in the district since 2015, so they were able to implement a diagnostic-based, complex catching-up strategy successfully. This model serves as a basis for the methodology applied in municipalities involved in the ‘catching-up municipalities’ (Felzárkózó Települések, FETE) programme, which has proven its effectiveness in many locations in recent decades.
Project title: Supportive presence from birth to vocational training in the Kunhegyes district
Beneficiary: Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta
Total project cost: HUF 388.035.774
EU co-funding: HUF 329.830.387 (European Social Fund)