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MOTIVATION FOR CHANGE. International Models & Support Local Commitment & Perseverance. Content. Mission Programs International Partnerships Challenges Opportunities. Mission. To enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities Motivation Romania Foundation (MRF) - created in 1995
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MOTIVATION FOR CHANGE International Models & SupportLocal Commitment & Perseverance
Content • Mission • Programs • International Partnerships • Challenges • Opportunities
Mission To enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities • Motivation Romania Foundation (MRF) - created in 1995 • “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want” ZigZiglar, "Secrets of Closing the Sale", 1984
MRF - Programs • Wheelchairs adaptation, provision and fitting • Peer group training for user, family, care giver • Services for Children with Severe Disabilities • Residential • Educational • Vocational • Special Olympics • Employment • Counseling • Job placement
Motivation Limited Liability Company • Social enterprise with MRF the sole shareholder • Sheltered unit certified by the Ro Government • > 30% of employees are people with disabilities • Double-bottom-line objectives • social impact: creating employment or job training opportunities for people with disabilities • financial impact: generating financial resources to support the social mission of MRF, complementing philanthropic donations and project funding
Locations • 2008: Bucharest, Ilfov, Neamt, Bihor • 2009: Timisoara, Ploiesti, Galati, Pitesti, Iasi, Tg Mures • 2010: Sibiu, Mehedinti
Outcomes 1993 - 2009 • Provided over 3,000 children and adults with personalized equipment and training • Deinstitutionalized 37 children with severe disabilities benefiting now from customized community services • Created model for social and professional integration of disadvantaged people • Started social enterprise generating income for charitable activities of the NGO
International Partnerships • 1993 – Int’l Federation of Red Cross & Motivation Charitable Trust • Wheelchair Production • 1995 – START Poznan, Poland • Wheelchair users – Peer Group Training • 1997 – Kerpape Rehabilitation Centre, France • Center for Active Rehab and Social Integration, Bucharest • 2001 – IMPACT Alliance (NGOs from USA, Norway, Germany, UK) • Community Services for children with severe disabilities • 2003 – International Tennis Federation & Special Olympics • Adapted Sports • 2005 – COMBER, Ireland • Service Development for people with disabilities from institutions • 2007 – SHAW TRUST, UK • Employment services
Opportunities for local partners (supported by examples from the list above) • Models to be locally replicated and adapted • Program initiation and development • Training resources • Strong allies in negotiations with local authorities • Fund raising, local and international • Financial support
Opportunities for international partners • Still huge need for: • community services • structural change of state strategy and service provision in the field of disability • Cost-share from EU programs (ESF & others) • Local expertise after 20 years of diverse international support • Key people
Challenges for both • Difficulties due to cultural differences • moral commitment versus seals/stamps • unacceptable high local bureaucracy • meeting deadlines • For many local decision makers “Foreign partners” = • “Give me the funds, I know better what to do with them” • high costs of service initiation • lack of local cost-share/long term commitment
Challenges for both (continued) • Attitude of state institutions • Strong resistance to change • Low budgets • Lack of understanding of community services • Little interest of cooperation with private service providers – no subcontracting • Fear of media exposure
Challenges for both (continued) • Low advocacy • Very few successful partnerships of local NGOs • Little entrepreneurial skills among NGOs • Reliance on external funding ONLY jeopardize sustainability • Key people