Asociația Sprijin pentru Mame is implementing the project “S.T.E.P. – Single-parent Training and Empowerment Program” from December 2023 to May 2025, funded by the Erasmus+ program, Key Action KA210-ADU – Small-scale Partnerships in Adult Education, project number 2023-1-RO01-KA210-ADU-000155335. The project is carried out in partnership with the organization Cultiv Associação de Ideias para a Cultura e Cidadania from Portugal.
The project aims to create a mixed socio-emotional education program for 40 single parents from Romania and Portugal. This program consists of educational theoretical modules available online and non-formal practical workshops. The goal is to develop their skills in understanding and managing emotions and stress, improving relationships with their own children and others, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for these parents. Another objective of the project is to develop skills for 8 trainers from the partner organizations in using new methods and tools for adult education.
The project implementation is divided into three stages:
- Preparation, design, and implementation of the program, theoretical courses, and structuring practical activities from December 2023 to May 2024. During this period, besides research and planning, two transnational meetings between partner teams will take place, one in Portugal (Serta) and one in Romania (Sibiu). During these meetings, trainers from both organizations will create the theoretical course modules available on a dedicated platform, design the practical workshop schedules, exchange experiences, and learn various non-formal methods in adult education from each other.
- Implementation of theoretical courses and workshops from June to December 2024. Over six months, 20 single parents from Romania and 20 from Portugal enrolled in the project will go through the online theoretical courses and then participate in practical group sessions. These sessions will be organized simultaneously in Sibiu and Alba Iulia by the Association Support for Mothers and in Portugal by the partner organization. Project enrollment will be possible starting in June and will be announced in the media and online.
- Evaluation and dissemination of results from January to May 2025. All project-related data, methods used in practical activities, and results obtained will be compiled into a practical guide for professionals working with similar target groups. Additionally, project results will be shared and discussed with other organizations in the field during an online dissemination conference held in the final part of the project implementation.
“We are aware of the constant increase in the number of single-parent families, both in Romania and Portugal, as well as in most European countries. In most single-parent families, the single parent is the mother, but the project also targets families where the father takes care of the children. We aim to create a heterogeneous group that will participate in all program activities, expecting at least a 30% increase in socio-emotional skills at the end of both program sections, theoretical and practical,” said Corina David, President of the Asociația Sprijin pentru Mame.
The collaboration between the two partners will ensure the achievement of project objectives by sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices in the field of adult and parental education. It will capitalize on resources, networks, and opportunities in each country to maximize the project’s impact and sustainability. Additionally, it will provide a European perspective on creating a more inclusive and supportive community around single parents.
More information will be posted on both associations’ Facebook pages and websites.
