The programme was aimed at development of good practices for working with children and families in the community, early identification and intervention in case of risk, increase in the number and the variety of services and programme for children at risk of institutionalisation because of different reasons: poverty, difficulties of the parents to take care of them; violence in the family; dropping out or difficulties at school; behavioral problems; disabilities etc. For almost three years the programme ensured funding for the activities run by 13 organsiations in the community, series of trainings for the teams of the supported organisations and opportunities for exchange of experience.

The programme is realized in a partnership as an example of cooperation of resources and efforts for reaching a bigger effectiveness and sustainability over time.

At the end of the programme Tulip Foundation organized a closing conference on 8 - 9 May 2012 in Sofia. The main conclusions and results of the realization of the programme have been presented. A publication with the practical models of work  (in Bulgarian language) for support for children and families, which have been described by the implementing organisations and have proved their effectiveness in Bulgaria, was presented. The publication is available in Bulgarian.

Representatives of all funded organisations, Ministry of labour and social policy, State agency for child protection, Agency for social assistance and others participated in the meeting.

Before entering the conference hall each participant received an old Bulgarian wisdom about home, family, children, parents, wellbeing. This way the organizers of the conference wanted to remind that caring about children and families has been a mater of concern for Bulgarian people from old times. The conference was opened by Tanya Kovacheva, programme officer of Oak Foundation and Maria Petkova, director of Tulip Foundation who greeted the participants and the guests.

Valentina Simeonova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social policy spoke about the necessity of services in the community as a support for families and a condition for successful deinstitutionalization. She stated that the presented models for work for support for children and families in the community are a good opportunity for collaboration between the state and the nongovernmental organisations. Deputy Minister Simeonova answered a number of questions from participants and wished success to the forum.

Kalin Kamenov, Chair of the State agency for child protection underlined how important it is that various services for children and families exist. He shared that he is sure that state, donor organisations and civil organisations have a shared interest in providing quality care for children in Bulgaria.

The teams of the organisations supported in the frame of the programme for as period of 20 to 27 months presented their conclusions from a long term targeted activities.

During the second day Georgy Genchev, consultant and trainer in the programme presented a short summary of the feedback from participants in the programme, the aims and the development as well as their cooperation and the joint work with the team of Tulip Foundation.

Georgy Bogdanov, director of the National network for children acquainted the participants with the position of the network on main issues related with the activities of the members with children and families – legislation, trends, practices, cooperation with government.

Malina Slavova from Opportunity and Protection Association from Haskovo presented the development of Trust in the family Project for introduction of the Family Group conferences model, which has been made familiar to most of the participants during a study visit to Ireland and a introduction seminar in Sofia.

Galina Markova from the Know How centre for alternative care for children spoke about the necessity and the importance of collecting information and evidence for good practices aimed at change of social policies. She underlined that the change doesn’t happen – it has to be provoked and realized in a process of interaction.

Nikolina Ivanova presented the programmes of the Agency for Social Protection in the sphere of services and care for children and families. She answered the numerous different questions about the application of the policies of the state at local level and future plans for development of services.