Safeguarding Policy

Giffoni Macedonia Youth Film Festival and EDU CUTS Workshops as part of this year’s edition assures a safe space and respectful environment for all participants. The

festival doesn’t tolerate any harmful behavior or exploitation towards its participants, staff members and other representatives.

 Objectives:

• To provide safe space and safe environment for all participants
• To ensure that all participants are familiar with the safeguarding policy
• To prevent any kind of harm, abuse and acquire safeguarding practices
• To provide the welfare of all participants Goal

All employees, volunteers, contractors, and those who took part in the Giffoni Macedonia Youth Film Festival are required to adhere to this safeguarding policy.

Positions and Accountabilities

 Head of the EDU CUTS Program:

• Assure the safeguarding policy's implementation and ongoing review.
• Designated a Safeguarding Officer.
• Assist the Giffoni Macedonia Youth Film Festival's program coordinators in handling safeguarding issues by supervising and supporting them.
• Establish that sufficient resources have been provided to protect the release of information and protocols.

Coordinators of EDU CUTS program:

• Assure that volunteers and employees have received training on safe practices and are aware of their roles.
• Communicate as needed with outside organizations, including law enforcement and child protection services.
• Keep thorough records of all concerns raised and steps taken regarding safeguarding.
• Offer assistance and direction to volunteers and employees addressing safeguarding matters.

Volunteers and other team members:

• Throughout the whole event, they received training on safety procedures and frequent refreshers.
• Exercise caution and initiative when spotting any safeguarding problems.
• Quickly report any concerns about child safety to the safeguarding officer, Martin Despotovski.
• Encourage a secure atmosphere for attendees by following the code of conduct.

Procedures for Safeguarding

 Recruitment and Information:

• A comprehensive hiring process will be followed by all employees and volunteers, which will involve requesting references from past employers or volunteer coordinators as well as background checks (such as criminal record checks).
• Interviews will be part of the recruitment process to review candidates' commitment to and comprehension of safeguarding.
• All new hires will get thorough safeguarding training that covers the code of conduct, reporting procedures, and indicators of abuse.

Code of Conduct:

• In order to create a safe atmosphere, staff members and volunteers are required to abide by the program's code of conduct, which sets predicted behaviors and professional boundaries.
• The code of conduct contains rules for proper communication, physical interaction, as well as technology and social media use.
• Any inappropriate behavior will not be accepted and may result in disciplinary action, which may include suspension, losing one's job or volunteer position. This includes neglect as well as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
• It shall be explained to all participants, employees, and volunteers what the code of conduct is and how important it is that they follow it.

Reporting Concerns:

• Immediately report any worries you may have regarding a participant's welfare to the Safeguarding officer, Martin Despotovski by phone (also on the applications Viber or Whatsapp), email, or in person. You can find Martin’s contact below.
• Employees and volunteers who have concerns should write down what happened, who was involved, and what steps were taken. They should then send this report to the safeguarding officer.
• The Giffoni Macedonia Youth Film Festival and PLANET-M will evaluate the issue, choose the best course of action, and, if required, get in touch with outside organizations like the police or child protective services.
• Information will only be shared if the situation requires it, with the purpose of protecting the participant's wellbeing. Confidentiality will be upheld throughout the reporting process.

Martin Despotovski (Safeguarding officer):

Phone Number: +38970367858

Email: m.despotovski99@gmail.com

(also Viber/Whatsapp)

 Reacting to Disclosures:

• Staff members and volunteers are required to listen closely and without interrupting, to participant disclosures of abuse without passing judgment or

expressing disbelief.

• Make sure the participants feel supported and let them know about any actions that have been taken afterwards.
• Accurately document the disclosure, including the participant's exact words, and report it right away to the safeguarding officer.
• Assure the person that coming forward was the right thing to do and that you will support them.

Confidentiality:

• Participants will be given information about the confidentiality policy, as well as how their data will be handled with care.
• All disclosures and concerns about safeguarding will be treated in a confidential manner, with information shared only with those who require it in

order to take the necessary action.

• Documents pertaining to concerns about safeguarding will be safely kept and only authorized staff members from the Giffoni Macedonia Youth Film

Festival, or authorized PLANET-M personnel will have access to them.

Monitoring and Review:

• The assigned personnel from PLANET-M and the Gifffoni Macedonia Youth Film Festival will keep an eye on how the policy is being applied and make any

necessary changes in response to feedback and recent advancements in safeguarding techniques.

• The Safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually, following the response to major changes in program structure, laws, regulations, of if a big

safeguarding incident occurs.