20% Campaign: The Social Incubator Association

Who We Are

The Social Incubator was established in April 2014 by a group of 5 friends, professionals in various fields who, after having been involved in numerous volunteering activities taking the form of a punctual and short-term support for disadvantaged youths, realized that, in order to determine a real and sustainable change in these youths' lives, it is necessary for them to be supported individually and on a much longer term.

What We Do

Therefore, in May 2014, the main program of the organization was launched under the name “A Brighter Future for Disadvantaged Youths”. The goal of this program is to support the youths who have left - or are preparing to leave - the child protection system, aged between 16 and 26, to make the transition (otherwise extremely difficult and filled with risks) to adult life in a manner which values their aptitudes and ensures their long-term independence. The program began in Bucharest-Ilfov and, starting with 2016, expanded throughout the 8 administrative regions of Romania.

How We Do It

On the whole, the methods used within the program are: career counseling; vocational and psychological counseling; non-formal education; internship facilitation; and, subsequently, support with finding a paid job, either through partner companies or the social enterprises set up by the association itself (tailoring, carpentry, recycling etc.). In parallel, the association also tackles the effects, not just the causes, through the active prevention of human trafficking, institutionalized youths being one of the most vulnerable social categories when it comes to human trafficking in Romania.

Impact

- 396 youths supported in the social and professional integration process, nationally

- 96 youths employed (they have gone through the entire social and professional integration process)

- 107 personal and professional development workshops organized

- 38 courses and internships facilitated

- 53 exploratory visits organized for educational purposes

- over 50 sponsors and partners who support the development of the program

- over 100 volunteers who are directly involved in the development of the program

20% Potential in 2017

Within the 20% of profit tax redirection campaign, The Social Incubator is planning to raise the funds necessary to support a minimum of 25 disadvantaged youths in the social and professional integration process, for a period of at least a year, through the range of interventions described above and adapted to the individual needs of the youths.