Partners
The project builds on the cooperation of six partner organisations (beneficiaries) from three CEE countries with a proven track record of expertise. Every project partner has experience in working together at a European level and has been involved in past European projects and some have collaborated extensively on previous projects and activities. These project partners will collaborate closely to realise the project's overall goals and have specific responsibilities to carry out.
The participating partners are:
Společnost Podané ruce (SPR), Brno, Czech Republic (Overall Coordinator)
SPR, founded in 1991 in Brno, Czech Republic, is a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to mitigating the effects of addiction and preventing its onset. Over its 30-year history, it has become a significant player in public health and addiction services in the country, actively participating in national policy dialogues. With 250 staff across 50 centres, SPR was responsive during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing the country's largest testing centre and later vaccination sites with mobile units in partnership with Diocesan Caritas Brno. SPR also assisted Ukrainian refugees with health services, including GBV prevention advice.
Diocesan Caritas Brno (DHCB), Czech Republic
As a branch of Caritas CZ, which is a member of Caritas Internationalis, DHCB is committed to serving those in need. Founded in 1922 from an initiative started in 1921 by Catholic associations in Brno, its operations were halted in 1968 by a totalitarian regime but resumed in 1992. Today, DHCB has approximately 1,400 employees assisting over 58,000 individuals annually, including vulnerable groups like the homeless, disabled and terminally ill. DHCB's outreach extends internationally, having assisted in places like Kosovo, Romania and Zimbabwe and worked alongside UN agencies such as IOM. Most recently, DHCB has been proactive in supporting incoming refugees, especially women and children, offering essential services like employment assistance and educational resources.
Persefona, Czech Republic
Persefona was created in 2007 through the separation of the Anti-Domestic Violence Program of the Human Rights League, which had been providing assistance to victims of domestic violence since 1999. The main pillar of the organization's activities is long-term comprehensive assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape over the age of 16 from the South Moravian Region. The support continues to be directed to those who try to help the victims of the aforementioned harm. Thanks to its comprehensive approach to the issue of domestic and sexualised violence, Persefona also provides therapeutic support and counselling to people who have difficulties coping with their own aggression in relationships. In 2022, 647 clients contacted the organisation. Another pillar of the organisation is the education of the professional and general public; Persefona organises courses at, for example, the Faculty of Social Studies at Masaryk University in Brno, higher vocational schools and secondary schools, as well as courses for other organisations within social services. Last but not least, the organisation is also dedicated to developing cooperation between state and non-state institutions involved in addressing the issue of domestic and sexual violence by building partnerships, participating in interdisciplinary teams, bodies and committees, organising campaigns and information events.
SANANIM, Prague, Czech Republic
Established in 1990, SANANIM is the Czech Republic's pioneering NGO focusing on addictions. Over three decades, it has crafted a unique and comprehensive care system for substance users, encompassing 18 health facilities and programs ranging from low-threshold services and therapeutic communities to online treatments. Within the framework of foreign cooperation, it also participates in a number of mainly educational projects (e.g. Learn Addiction, Erasmus+), professional activities and internships for European and world organisations (IHRA, UNDOC, EMCDDA, NIDA, Group Pompidou of the Council of Europe). With a robust 150-member multidisciplinary team, many also teach at Charles University's Faculty of Medicine. SANANIM was instrumental in founding A.N.O. in 1995 alongside SPR and led it till 2018. Recently, they've extended their services to Ukrainian refugees, especially those with infectious diseases, vulnerabilities, histories of sexual abuse and addictions. SANANIM is also active at an international level being an active member of various expert networks and bodies e.g. Civil Society Forum on Drugs (expert group to the European Commission), Correlation-EHRN, EHRA, IDPC, DrugReporter among others.
PREKURSOR, Warsaw, Poland
Founded in 2011, the Prekursor Foundation for Social Policy is a non-governmental organisation committed to advancing human rights, public health and progressive drug policies. They have been conducting harm reduction activities since 1999, offering comprehensive help and support for people who use drugs, its projects span across the cities of Warsaw and Gdańsk.
The Foundation conducts research and educational activities and cooperates with foreign organisations, working in the field of drug policy and harm reduction. Also participates in initiatives engaging people who use drugs, supporting their communities and fighting for their rights.
Občianske združenie Prima, Bratislava, Slovakia
Founded in 1998 in response to the Pompidou Group's findings from the Council of Europe, Prima emerged to address drug users' challenges in Bratislava. Over the years, it has become a prominent entity, focusing on harm reduction especially in infectious disease and sexual abuse prevention. Prima actively participates in international events, notably the International Day Against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Women and Children and the Protest Stop Sexual Violence. Additionally, they routinely orchestrate campaigns educating clients about sexual abuse prevention and SGBV.