RefAid, an app for refugees arriving in Europe

admin on 17 July 2018

Publications Bank of innovations

RefAid, an app for refugees arriving in Europe

Trellyz

Application aimed at migrants and refugees arriving in Europe every day so they can identify the services they can access

RefAid is a mobile application that shows migrants, refugees, and accompanying social workers which nearby services they can access, on a map with a simple interface.

The platform ensures that the information and location of the users is completely confidential, it is not stored, and it is not shared with any authority or police force.

The organizations that appear on the map are trustworthy and verified. The search includes filters for themes such as food, shelter, bathrooms, and information.

Characteristics of innovation

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Location

United States

Partners / Funders:

—

Genesis

RefAid was created in September 2015 by entrepreneur Shelley Taylor, after seeing the shocking image of the body of a three-year-old Syrian child drowned on the coast of Ali Hoca Buruna (Turkey). In this context, Taylor developed the application in just one weekend.

Implementation level

RefAid is being used in 50 countries by 8,000 non-profit organizations, aid organizations, and governmental entities. A large number of leading organizations in the care of migrants and refugees use the application. For example, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, Caritas, and the Red Cross.

Further information
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Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

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Noves Oportunitats, educational center for training and job placement for youth

admin on 17 July 2018

Publications Bank of innovations

Noves Oportunitats, educational center for training and job placement for youth

Fundació El Llindar

Model of accompaniment and guidance that combines quality and qualified training and work to combat educational dropout

The Educational Center Noves Oportunitats advocates for extended, comprehensive, and personalized training pathways. Thus, it guides and accompanies young people towards adulthood by promoting their return to the educational system and access to professional qualification. The program offers tailored itineraries for each individual. Youth can choose from various training offerings, ranging from a flexible adapted ESO (Obligatory Secondary Education) to a certified Level 2 Vocational Training.

The program consists of three phases. The first corresponds to Initial Qualified and Specialized Vocational Training (Levels 1 and 2). Secondly, young people have access to training grants for internships in different workplaces. Finally, the Noves Oportunitats Educational Center offers the Youth Services area. This last phase is designed to extend professional training while guaranteeing real work experience through companies with social economy models.

Beyond promoting education and work experience, the center guides and accompanies young people through personal meeting spaces where, jointly, their professional future is constructed. Students acquire transversal competencies such as learning ability, teamwork, and responsibility.

Characteristics of innovation

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Location

Counties of Baix Llobregat and Barcelonès, Catalonia

Partners / Funders

The Government of Catalonia, the City Councils of Cornellà del Llobregat and L’Hospitalet, the Barcelona Provincial Council, the Employment Service of Catalonia (SOC), and the European Union (UE).

Genesis

The organization El Llindar was established in December 2004 with the Aula Taller project, an alternative space to accommodate and educate adolescents and young people excluded from the formal education system. Later, in line with this initiative, it also created the Noves Oportunitats Educational Center.

Implementation level

Since 2004, it has supported more than 4,800 adolescents and young people from Baix Llobregat and Barcelonès Sud. In parallel, El Llindar contributes to fostering a continuous dialogue between public and private entities.

Further information
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Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

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Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

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Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

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Fuel Poverty Group, defending the right to energy

admin on 17 July 2018

Imatges Posts Web 21 min 2
Publications Bank of innovations

Fuel Poverty Group, defending the right to energy

ABD, EcoServeis

Imatges Posts Web 21 min 2

Network of individuals and entities from different fields to combat energy poverty

Fuel Poverty Group promotes tools to reduce the amount of the gas and electricity bill by understanding the concepts that appear on the bill, as well as practical advice in daily life to make rational and efficient use of energy.

On the other hand, they also organize preventive and empowerment actions such as workshops, personalized information points, assistance in procedures, and interventions to defend energy rights.

A person is in a situation of energy poverty when they have difficulty paying for electricity, water, or gas supplies, or when they are unable to afford the economic cost of maintaining adequate temperature and humidity conditions in their home. According to the organization, this poverty has effects and consequences on the health, economy, and well-being of people who are in situations of greater social vulnerability.

Characteristics of innovation

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Location

Barcelona and Madrid

Partners / Funders

Government of Catalonia, Barcelona Provincial Council, Barcelona City Council, Montemadrid Foundation, and Bankia

Genesis

The Welfare and Development Association (ABD) was founded in the 1980s and is a non-governmental organization declared of public utility. Its services and programs respond to situations that generate vulnerability and social exclusion.

Ecoserveis is a non-profit entity that works on the relationships between energy and society to promote a fair and sustainable energy model.

Fuel Poverty Group is born from the union of these two organizations.

Implementation level

In Catalonia, it is estimated that at least 10% of people suffer from energy poverty. Energia Justa provides a response to this problem.

Further information
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Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

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Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

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Housing and accompaniment services for people with intellectual disabilities

admin on 17 July 2018

Publications Bank of innovations

Housing and accompaniment services for people with intellectual disabilities

Fundació Esment

Individual housing and support for people with intellectual disabilities

The Esment Foundation promotes individual housing for people with intellectual disabilities, for which a common support program is established. This program is adapted to their needs, preferences, and life stage, while also being coordinated with the person’s personal network and various professional services. Each case is supervised by a designated technician.

Furthermore, to promote autonomy, support is provided to the individual in daily life activities such as personal hygiene, housing, nutrition, shopping, and financial management. The spaces are calm and pleasant, and the specialized team ensures the person’s well-being.

Characteristics of innovation

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Location

Catalonia

Partners / Funders

—

Genesis

The Esment Foundation was founded in 1962 and aims for people with intellectual disabilities and their families to enjoy their lives, advocating for the protection and rights of individuals, such as the right to a dignified image, employment, housing, among others.

Implementation level

—

Further information
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Banc d’innovacions

Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

Afrolab, Afro-entrepreneurship support programme

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Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

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IPS Methodology for the employment insertion of young people with mental disorders

admin on 17 July 2018

Publications Bank of innovations

IPS Methodology for the employment insertion of young people with mental disorders

Fundació Joia

Pioneering methodology for employment insertion specialized in intervention with the mental health collective

The IPS methodology considers both training and job placement as part of the person’s recovery process from the very beginning. The traditional approach introduced this aspect at the end of clinical intervention with the youth. The new system prevents chronicity, facilitates recovery, and increases work motivation.

Weekly face-to-face contact between clinical professionals and job placement professionals allows for the creation of a climate of trust. In this way, workers from different fields work towards the same goal for the youth.

Characteristics of innovation

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Location

Catalonia

Partners / Funders

Salut Mental 9 Barris Association, 9 Barris Foundation, Civic Center Espai Jove Les Basses

Genesis

The IPS methodology was created in the United States. In 2014, it arrived in Catalonia to be applied to adults with mental health disorders. In 2015, the Joia Foundation decided to transfer the methodology to the youth population, which was heavily affected by the economic crisis that began in 2008. The pilot test in Catalonia lasted two years and was implemented in Nou Barris, the district with the highest unemployment and poverty rates in Barcelona. It had the support of the Mental Health Association 9 Barris and the 9 Barris Foundation. The location was the Civic Center Espai Jove Les Basses, a community space with extensive experience in job placement and mental health.

Implementation level

During the two years of the pilot test, 120 young people between the ages of 16 and 35 with various mental disorders were attended to. 54% successfully completed the process with quality employment contracts (lasting more than six months or indefinite). Additionally, 30% decided to pursue further education or training. The successes of the trial allowed the project to be consolidated into the Itínere Joves service, which is included among the six types of programs offered by the Joia Foundation in Barcelona and its metropolitan area.

Further information

Fundació Joia IPS Methodology

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Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

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Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

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Èpica i Singular, a new employment experience for at-risk youth

admin on 16 July 2018

Publications Bank of innovations

Èpica i Singular, a new employment experience for at-risk youth

La Fura dels Baus, City Council of Badalona, FLC

Program for accompanying young people seeking employment through scenic creation

The Épica y Singular initiative is aimed at individuals aged 18 to 29 enrolled in the Youth Guarantee Program. The program provides young people with professional skills and competencies through the creation of a scenic and artistic project, led by the theater company La Fura dels Baus and other professionals.

In this way, in a more attractive and different manner, they can acquire knowledge of audiovisual and construction techniques related to the show (vertical work, assembly of structures and scaffolding, etc.). Through this program, young people can obtain professional certificates and licenses.

The project also includes guidance and counseling in job search and agreements with companies for internships and hiring. Practical training is paid at €300. Additionally, it offers a range of resources to facilitate the launch of entrepreneurial projects and self-employment in various sectors.

Characteristics of innovation

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Location

Badalona, Catalonia

Partners / Funders

Government of Catalonia, European Community

Genesis

Épica y Singular was born between the years 2016 and 2017 through an agreement between the theatrical company La Fura dels Baus, the City Council of Badalona, and the Labor Foundation of Construction (FLC).

Implementation level

After the first edition, in 2019, the Èpica i Singular 2.0 program was created, which concluded with a final scenic display focused on transhumanism.

Further information
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Banc d’innovacions

Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

Simulateur Aides Sociales, a tool that informs citizens of the social aids

Afrolab, Afro-entrepreneurship support programme

Afrolab, Afro-entrepreneurship support programme

Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Startblok, self-managed housing for local youth and young refugees

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

Persianes amb ànima, an art project that empowers women and neighbourhoods

Newsletter

Subscribe if you want to be informed about all the trends in innovation in social services.