The realization of the project responded to the main objective of bridging the existing barriers to effective communication and cooperation between ex-convicts and adult educators from Poland and Germany (including people working in NGOs supporting social reintegration but also probation officers, rehabilitation specialists, prison service, etc.) by developing a comprehensive educational program, strengthening the competence and knowledge of educators in the context of working with ex-convicts and their families during the project period.An additional but equally important aspect of the project was to lay the groundwork for a lasting partnership to jointly counter crime on an international scale.A key premise of the project was based on the belief that increasing competence and knowledge in educators would contribute to more effective support for the reintegration of ex-convicts and their families into society.The program of the working model was designed to provide educators with a comprehensive theoretical but, above all, practical base, motivating them to engage in work with a group that requires a special approach and understanding.
The project Together We Can Do More! was initiated in response to existing social and professional needs related to deficits in effective interaction between ex-convicts and adult educators. The essence of the problem we focused on during the implementation of the project was the lack of knowledge and skills in communication, which leads to an increase in prejudice, social marginalization of ex-convicts, deepening of antagonism and reduced effectiveness in social readaptation and professional activation. The project addressed these needs by providing adult educators with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with ex-convicts and their families. Existing solutions were mainly based on theoretical training, which was not sufficient because it was not based on professional practice. Existing trainings also often neglected specific aspects of working with ex-convicts. Therefore, the project focused on practical communication skills and working with this specific target group, which contributed to increased job satisfaction, reduced anxiety and improved effectiveness in social readaptation of ex-convicts.