The project “Education with a Cause: Charity and Volunteering for the Benefit of the Community” is implemented by the Amalipe Center in partnership with the NGO “World Without Borders”, Stara Zagora, the “New Road” Association, Hayredin, the Roma Academy for Culture and Education, Sliven, and the Because Foundation, with the support of the Trust for Social Achievement.
The project is a two-year initiative to support Roma students in secondary education, aimed at improving academic achievement and school completion rates, as well as expanding opportunities for pursuing higher education. It targets students in grades 8–12 who demonstrate academic potential and motivation to continue their education but face financial, social, or logistical barriers that may jeopardize their educational progress.
The initiative addresses persistent educational inequalities affecting Roma young people, particularly during their secondary school years. This stage is considered critical, as many students face hidden costs related to transportation, learning materials, food, exam preparation, and access to quality education. The project views scholarship support not as social assistance, but as a strategic investment in educational achievement, leadership potential, and the long-term development of the community.
The project combines scholarships with mentoring, individual progress tracking, peer support, engagement with successful role models, volunteering, and participation in community initiatives. A key component is the development of philanthropy within the Roma community through fundraising campaigns and solidarity-based support mechanisms. This approach aims to connect individual educational success with collective responsibility and future contributions to the community.
The project aims to award at least 200 scholarships to Roma students in secondary education, each worth EUR 500. If the partners successfully raise funds through the philanthropy component, additional matching funds of up to EUR 20,000 may also be provided.
Expected results include high rates of grade progression and secondary school completion among scholarship recipients, an increase in applications to higher education institutions, active student participation in volunteering and community initiatives, successful fundraising for additional scholarships, and the development of a sustainable partnership model that brings together education, mentoring, community engagement, and philanthropy within the Roma community.