Asociatia Lumea lui Pinocchio

Asociatia Lumea lui Pinocchio is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 in Panciu, Vrancea, Romania. In 2002, Association Lumea lui Pinocchio (ex Rom pentru Rom) began its activity in Panciu in order to support a sustainable local development. First of all, the association developed projects dealing with the building of houses of some of the poorest Roma families of Panciu and also proposing training opportunities about IT, carpentry and non-formal education. Deepening its knowledge of the territory and observing the local socio-educational problems, in 2006, the Association changed its vision starting to operate directly with children and youngsters. Thus, it has been founded the Educational Daily Centre “Pinocchio” in order to work on social integration starting from an early age. At the moment the association focuses its activities on two main cores: - Daily Socio-Educational Centre Pinocchio (accredited as social services provider), for disadvanteged chidlren, youngsters and families of Panciu, in particular those who belong to the local Roma minority; - Centre for the Promotion of voluntarism Since 2003 the association is accredited for the hosting, sending and coordination of volunteers under the European Voluntary Service and has a multi-year experience in managing youth exchanges projects, both actions being included in the Youth in Action program (now Erasmus+). Since its foundation the association also hosts solidarity workcamps and other groups of short-term volunteers (e.g. scouts, clowns' association, etc.) that usually help both with the educational activities and also with manual activities for the maintenance of the association's buildings.