Pasi Spre Viitor - Steps To The Future

Formally known as The Filatura Project

Pasi Spre Viitor or Steps to the Future is by far the largest project undertaken by ROAD.  It is a four storey apartment block which was ‘donated’ rent free to ROAD for a minimum period of ten years.  Our partners in this project are the Rotary Club of Woodhall Spa, Zalau City Council, Rotary Club of Zalau, Association Prader Willi of Romania (APWR) and the Acasa Foundation.  The building was derelict apart from the ground floor, which had been converted into a night shelter.  ROAD had agreed to renovate the remaining three floors in order for it to be used as an Emergency Social Centre.

Floors one and two were to be for emergency temporary accommodation, counselling and advice plus a drop in centre for the elderly and the third floor was to be accommodation for formerly institutionalised young people with a view to training them in life skills and a trade, which would hopefully enable them to gain future employment.

In 2008 through successful funding bids and match funding all finances were in place and renovation work was at an advanced stage.  The renovation work was completed in the autumn of 2008 and the building was then furnished and equipped. 

In November 2008 a group from ROAD had the honour of attending the opening ceremony in Zalau.  The event was well attended with the Mayor of Zalau along with many local dignitaries and the ceremony was also on local television.  The press was out in force to record this major event.  The project is the first of its kind in Romania so attracted wide coverage.  Following the opening a reception was held in the newly opened Hotel Brilliant in the centre of Zalau.  The centre has now been running for just over a year and a number of young people have now passed through its doors and been supported by the training and support.