Programs Implemented Through ÉTA Grants Submitted in Summer 2025
ÉTA/BM/Szakma/2025-1227 Use of the Professional Grant
For years, the Fogd a Kezem Foundation has organized camps for the youngsters enrolled in our day care centre and supported housing services. This initiative was launched in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown period, while earlier camps had mainly been organized through parental initiatives. Based on previous camp experiences, it became clear that there was a need for a larger shared experience that could help everyone become more active and make social connections easier. For this purpose, we once again organized a summer camp in Orfű between 04.07.2025 and 08.07.2025 for a 6-day (5-night) session, with a total of 15 participants.
This year, the organization process also began with a needs assessment, which showed that the greatest interest came from youngsters involved in supported housing. This was also practical, as it allowed us to temporarily close our 24-hour supervised residential home during this period, enabling shift workers to take their annual leave. The greatest challenges concerned accommodation and meal costs. We wanted to contribute as much as possible to the expenses of the camp; however, the Foundation’s financial situation had not improved during this period either. Therefore, we applied within this professional program framework so that, with the support of ÉTA amounting to HUF 320,000, the Foundation’s own contribution could be reduced. The remaining costs – meals, travel, entrance tickets, and tourist tax – were covered by the participants themselves.
A total of 15 youngsters and 4 assistants attended the camp. During the camp period, full board was provided (the assistants handled cooking in the camp’s own kitchen), transportation to and from the location was arranged (self-financed), and the program was enriched with experience-based activities. In previous years, we had not yet had the opportunity to organize a camp here. The accommodation provider was a private host who was very open and accommodating toward the target group. The site’s community room, dining area, and restrooms are partially accessible. The holiday resort is located near Lake Pécs in Orfű, within walking distance of a shallow and safe beach area suitable for swimming.
The grant amount compensated for the possibility of organizing more leisure activities. The youngsters, parents, and assistants all benefited from physical and mental recreation, receiving a meaningful shared experience package. Due to the temporary suspension of residential home services, staff members were also able to take leave.
Use of the Employment Grant ÉTA/BM/Foglalk/2025-1228
Production of Ceramic Products:
This year we expanded and renewed our product range by introducing new products such as refrigerator magnets and unique coasters. Their raw material requirements are similar to those of our traditional products, so we were able to purchase materials such as paints, glaze, and clay from our regular suppliers. Within the framework of the employment grant, we purchased high-quality ceramic paint worth HUF 54,675.
Development of Youth Employment:
The employability of our youngsters is assessed every year based on different criteria. In addition to health, physical, and psychological conditions, socialization aspects must also be considered. Our youngsters in the workshops are at different levels regarding work attitude and willingness to cooperate. Every year, several professionals are involved in addressing these issues, but workshop leaders are also able to improve attitudes using various developmental tools. Therefore, we purchased developmental cards that assistants and therapeutic staff use weekly with the young people as part of workshop activities. The cost of these cards was covered within the program.
Purchase of Materials for Printed Canvas Bags and T-Shirts
Last year there was increased interest in natural and colored canvas bags and T-shirts printed with illustrations created by the young people, so this year we ordered larger quantities of raw materials. After printing, we hope to sell most of these products at festivals, during the Advent season, and through our webshop.
Purchase of Paraffin for Candle Making
The Foundation’s best-selling product in 2025, as in previous years, was candles. Our products made from high-quality paraffin in various colors, sizes, and shapes attract significant interest every year, so this year we produced many colorful candles again. Due to high demand, additional paraffin had to be ordered in December. Part of this procurement cost was also accounted for within the grant.
Thanks to the support amount, we had sufficient resources, which greatly helped — and will continue to help in the future — with the production and sale of our products. Thank you for supporting our work again this year!
The Foundation Received HUF 746,440 Through ÉTA Grants Submitted in Summer 2024
Support for Employment Programs
Expansion of the Webshop
Kiln Repair and Control System Upgrade for Ceramic Production: Another product family includes decorative objects and jewelry made from fired clay, which are produced in our kiln. The kiln had operated flawlessly for more than 10 years, but after intensive use it began showing repeated errors. A specialist repaired the kiln and upgraded its control system, making it possible to fire multiple types of products simultaneously, which had not previously been possible.
Purchase of Materials for Printed Canvas Bags: Last year there was increased demand for natural and colored canvas bags printed with illustrations created by the youngsters, so this year we ordered a larger quantity of natural bags. After printing, we hope to sell most of them at festivals, during the Advent season, and through our webshop. Part of the procurement was financed through the ÉTA grant. The HUF 370,000 support significantly reduced our raw material expenses and represented major assistance for us.
Support for Professional Programs
For years, Hold My Hand Foundation has organized camps for the youngsters enrolled in the day care and supported housing services. This initiative emerged in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown period, while earlier camps had mainly been organized through parental initiatives. Based on previous camp experiences, it became clear that there was a need for a larger shared experience that could help everyone become more active and facilitate social connection. Therefore, we organized another summer camp in 2024.
This year as well, the organization process began with a needs assessment, which showed that the greatest interest came from young people involved in supported housing. This also allowed us to temporarily close our 24-hour supervised residential home and provide leave opportunities for shift workers. The greatest challenges concerned accommodation and meal costs. We wanted to contribute as much as possible to the expenses of the camp, therefore within this professional program we applied for support so that the Foundation’s own contribution could be reduced by HUF 376,440 through ÉTA funding. The remaining costs — meals, travel, entrance tickets, and tourist tax — were covered by the participants themselves.
Thank you for supporting our work again this year!
Our organization is a member of the ÉTA National Association.
Our project was implemented with the support of the Slachta Margit National Institute for Social Policy and the Ministry of Human Capacities.
EFOP-2.2.25-22-2022-00015 – Creation of New Supported Housing Places at the Hold MY Hand Foundation
The Hold My Hand Foundation has been providing services in the city of Pécs for 30 years.
The aim of our project is to develop the already existing social services maintained by the Foundation for adults with intellectual disabilities and people with psychosocial disabilities with dual diagnoses who are currently waiting for institutional placement and who are unable to maintain independent living in their own homes, even with basic services.
The project also aims to establish a new basic service (support service) and create additional supported housing places. All of this is implemented in an integrated community-based service format through expanding the service network surrounding supported housing.
Ability Café – “We Accepted You Here! Do You Accept Others?”
EMPLOYMENT 2019/E/13
The aim of our project is to continue and further develop a program that our organization previously launched using its own resources, while also summarizing earlier experiences. Ability Café is a labor market and social inclusion method developed by us that helps adults with intellectual disabilities become valuable members of society.
Watch our video about the project here, and view our methodological material here!
