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PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE ENHANCING ROMA INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT CALL FOR PROPOSALS

“If we don’t change, we won’t grow. If we don’t grow, we don’t live “

Nelson Mandela

We can do more together!

Promoter: “Together” Community Development Agency Foundation

Partners: Romano-Kher National Roma Culture Center, “Amare Rromentza” Roma Center Association, Marginalized Communities Association, Roma from Făgăraș Association, DANROM Făurei Association, ”Buzău Community Development Agency” Association, Romi Ursari from Dagâța Association

Value of the funding: 897,454 euros

Implementation period: December 2020 – March 2023

Contact:https://www.agentiaimpreuna.ro/putem-mai-mult/; https://www.facebook.com/PutemMaiMultImpreuna/

 

The empowerment and inclusion of 2.200 Roma people  all over the country is a high priority for the „ We can do more together” project.  Using a “bottom-up” approach, the project will promote in the Roma communities the idea that every citizen can contribute to solving community problems and every voice is important. Also, the project contributes significantly to the promotion of Roma culture and identity by creating a virtual museum of Roma culture, which will become an effective tool in combating discrimination on ethnic criteria.

20 Roma communities from Botoșani, Brașov, Brăila, Buzău, Iași counties will receive support for its development through community facilitation and measures such as set-up and mobilization of local initiative groups, participatory identification of needs, realization of local action plans and promoting them in local councils and well as advocacy actions for the implementation of the measures in the plans. Also, the list of measures is fulfilled by training courses for members of these local initiative groups formed (community development, communication, fundraising and advocacy, writing and implementation of projects, policies public and local representation, identity education, development of contemporary Roma culture) and other information and promotion activities on the history, Roma culture, rights of this minority. In addition, 75 experts and local Roma leaders at the national level will have improved skills for participation in decision-making and representation of Roma communities.

The broad process of empowering the Roma minority will be achieved by several public campaigns which will promote Roma culture and identity addressed to both Roma (to better understand the elements of their identity and stimulate its assumption) and to the majority of the population, in order to reduce stereotypes and prejudices caused by ignorance about the Roma.

 

Interim results (30. 06.2021)

– 5 public events (offline) dedicated to the launch of the project in every county of implementation of the activities

  • Botoșani, 10.03.2021 – 23 participants
  • Iași, 11.03.2021 – 20 participants
  • Brăila, 12.03.2021 – 20 participants
  • Buzau, 16.03.2021 – 20 participants
  • Făgăraș, 17.03.2021 – 20 participants

– 5 social facilitators selected and familiarized with the communities were they will activate:

  • Botoșani County: Albești, Bălușeni, Săveni, Botoșani
  • Brăila County: Însurăței, Lacu Dulce (district of Muncipiului Brăila), Șuțești, Viziru
  • Brașov County: Cincu, Făgăraș, Rupea, Racoș
  • Buzau County: Calvini, Cilibia, Mihăilești, Viperești
  • Iași County: Motca, Crucea (Lungani commune), 10 Prăjini (Dăgata commune), Petriș (Dolhești commune)

– 20 local initiative groups created

– 102 members of local initiative groups benefited from training courses of “Community Development” and “Communication, Fundraising and Advocacy”

– 41 representatives of local authorities participated in the course on “Local administration focused on the needs of the citizen”.

 

Improving the quality of educational and health services for Roma in the city of Săcueni

Promoter: Săcueni city, Bihor county

Partner: “ERHANGJA” Egyesulet Association

Funding value: 496,532 euros

Implementation period: December 2020 – November 2023

Contact: https://www.sacueni.ro

In many localities, the Roma population does not have access to basic social and medical services, situations that lead and perpetuate social exclusion and discrimination. The project aims to improve the access and quality of educational and medical services for Roma in the city of Săcueni and to increase their inclusion.

 

The project includes a series of innovative educational measures by using the LEGO learning method addressed to a number of 475 school and preschool children (of whom, 425 are Roma) aged between 3-15 years from the “Petőfi Sándor” Theoretical High School (kindergarten, primary school, gymnasium and high school), in order to prevent school dropout and increase the attractiveness of the school. It is about a method that uses Lego toys, through which each student looks for his own way in solving different tasks. The application of the method creates a different working environment for both the student and the teacher, stimulating the creativity and increasing the efficiency. The project will organize a training program in Lego education for 20 teachers working with students belonging to disadvantaged categories.

 

Access to health services will be provided within the project by equipping a medical office and a dental office (inside the “Petőfi Sándor” Theoretical High School) with sanitary materials, furniture and medical instruments. The provision of medical and dental services will take place 5 times a week, the offices being open with an 8-hour program, the beneficiaries being the students of the school.

 

The project includes measures to combat discrimination against Roma, empower them and facilitate their inclusion by organizing a training course for trainers on anti-discrimination topics. 12 persons will be trained on these topics in working with Roma people. The persons who have benefited from the training course of trainers will transmit the learned methods to a number of 36 Roma volunteers. These Roma persons will organize a campaign to raise the awareness on anti-discrimination topics, which, by using social media communication tools, aims to reach 500 people with its messages. This campaign will target the majority population of Săcueni, promoting the identity, culture and history of Roma.

Be part of the community! Integrated services addressed to the local Roma community in Curcani and Românești

Promoter: Center for Education and Human Rights Association (ACEDO)

Partner: Curcani Municipality, Călărași County

Funding value: 772,740 euros

Implementation period: December 2020 – November 2023

Contact: https://partedincomunitate.ro

The project is carried out in The Curcani (Calarasi County) and Românești (Dâmbovița County) localities, places where Roma communities need support to reduce the inequalities that separate them from the majority population. The intervention aims to increase the inclusion of over 1,000 Roma, both preschool and school children, parents and grandparents, through integrated measures aimed at improving their education, health and housing conditions, as well as raising the community awareness regarding the non-discrimination of the Roma population.

The project found a way to improve the living conditions of 100 poor families in Curcani, households that cannot afford the cost of connecting to the public water and sewage network. The project will cover the cost of connection to the water network, a measure that will have a direct impact on the lives of more than 500 people, residents of the respective households. Just as important, connecting a household to the network also involves solving, in advance, legal issues related to property. Clarifying the legal status of the household and obtaining property documents, cadastre or tabulation of the property is another essential component of the project that will benefit all those who face such problems.

This is also the case of G.S., father of 8 children, for whom the project will solve two pressing problems at the same time: “I am very happy to receive this support, to have water in the yard. It is hard to raise 8 children, keep them healthy and dressed clean at school, if there is no running water. Every day I take several buckets of water out of the well, necessary for my wife to prepare food and wash the laundry, but also to bathe the children. We do not have the money to pay for the water connection, nor do we know how to legalize ourselves with the property deeds of the house. Through the project, I hope that we will solve these two important problems.”

Increasing the chances of social inclusion of Roma deprived of their liberty in Aiud Penitentiary

Promoter: Pakiv Romania Association

Partner: Aiud Penitentiary

Funding value: 418,604 euros

Implementation period: December 2020 – December 2022

Contact: http://pn1013.pakiv.ro/; https://www.facebook.com/pn1013aiud

 

In order to reduce the risk of relapse and increase the chances for a normal life in the family and community after release, the initiative funded through the Local Development Programme aims to contribute to the social integration of 635 persons deprived of their liberty, mostly Roma, through personalized and integrated measures. In this respect, during the year 2021, socio-educational, pro-occupational and health activities were carried out, 200 persons deprived of their liberty being already included in the program, among them being Roma.

The 200 inmates were first evaluated and then received a personalised support programme according to their specific needs. The inmates also participated in personal development activities, such as creativity and cultural-artistic workshops and individual and group counselling and therapy programmes, respectively parental counselling, in the case of parent-inmates. In addition, the beneficiaries benefited from support services to improve their health condition (medical consultation, personal hygiene kit) and were able to take part in a pro-employment programme that also includes participation in a training course. Starting with November 2021, 12 inmates are already participating in an online qualification course for the occupation of “paver”. A football championship for inmates was also organized within the project, aiming to promote sports and health, and to develop pro-social attitudes such as collaboration, respect for rules, proper understanding and application of the notion of fair play.

“At another level, the project aims to have a real impact in the direction of reducing discrimination, of any kind, in the penitentiary. Within the project, four awareness campaigns were carried out on the phenomenon of discrimination, as well as training programmes addressed to the penitentiary staff, on the work with Roma and on issues of combating discrimination”, explained Mr. Gruia Bumbu, president of the Pakiv Association and coordinator of the project.

28 employees of the Aiud Maximum Security Penitentiary started the Social and Civic Competences course, which aims to improve their working skills with Roma.

Avdives, khetanes

Promoter: Amphiteatru Foundation

Partners: Belin Community Development Association for Belin commune; Bucharest Sector 5 City Hall

Funding value: 841,105 Euros

Implementation period: January 2021 – December 2022

Contact: https://www.avdiveskhetanes.ro

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/avdiveskhetanes

 

The project “Avdives, khetanes” / “Today, together” aims to increase the quality of life in the Roma communities in Belin commune and Ferentari district in sector 5, Bucharest, by consolidating and developing services addressed mainly to disadvantaged Roma children and adults, respectively, integrated services in the fields of education (remedial education, extracurricular activities, non-formal summer education), health (health education,  basic prophylactic medical services) and employment (professional information and counselling, qualification courses), training in Roma rights, advocacy and inclusion, and a cultural program of empowerment and anti-discrimination.

The initiative proposes to provide educational and health services for 300 children in vulnerable situations, services to increase the degree of professional training and improve the health condition (respectively maintaining a good health condition) for 350 vulnerable adults in Ferentari neighbourhood, Bucharest. These will be materialized in the provision of an employment service and a medical service, the support of a cultural program for 400 Roma people, the training of 20 teachers in experiential pedagogy and inclusion, the training of 10 specialists in Roma inclusion and 45 Roma specialists and leaders in advocacy.

Also, through the educational services proposed and through individualized actions aimed at functional illiteracy and the knowledge necessary to graduate from the eighth grade, as well as the motivation, self-esteem and encouragement of the pupils, the project aims to decrease school dropout and improve the school results of at least 100 pupils.

Equity for health, equity for a better life!

Promoter: Bacău branch of the Romanian National Red Cross Society AFJ

Partners: UAT Commune Blagești; UAT Comănesti City; European Roma Association for Intercultural Progress and Promotion – AFJ

Funding value: 588,467 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: February 2022 – September 2023

Contact: http://www.crucea-rosie.ro/echitate-pentru-sanatate-echitate-pentru-o-viata-mai-buna/

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/crucearosie.bacau

 

The project aims to contribute to increasing the social inclusion and empowerment of 1,400 Roma from Poiana Negustorului and Buda – Cătun Şipote villages from Blăgești commune, respectively from Şupan district of Comănești, by providing medical services and health education, while organizing joint actions to encourage the active participation of Roma in the decision-making process and to promote the fight against discrimination.

By the end of the project, 250 Roma people will benefit from free consultations at home and will receive packages with basic food and hygiene and cleaning products

In addition to the activities dedicated to improving the health condition, the team of the Bacau Branch of the Red Cross holds first aid and health education courses in two schools in Blăgești commune and in School nr. 4 in the Şupan district of Comănești. On this occasion, the pupils learn how to provide first aid through resuscitation, how to perform an intervention in case of hemorrhage and fractures, how to proceed and especially how not to proceed in case of an accident, notions of hygiene, as well as ways to prevent diseases communicable by air. In total, 865 pupils, out of which 440 are Roma, will be trained through the project in providing first aid measures.

The project activities also include the training of 40 young Roma men and women (of which at least 75% are women) into volunteers for the Red Cross Bacau, after obtaining certification by completing and graduating the first-aid course, conducting workshops and basic first-aid demonstrations, with the participation of 180 mothers, accompanied by young children; development of social-supportive  counselling and legal counselling, non-formal and cultural-artistic educational actions to promote the customs and traditions of the Roma ethnicity. All persons participating in the project activities will benefit from material support, as appropriate: food packages and packages with hygiene products, school bags equipped for pupils, oral hygiene kits.

Three basic first aid points, properly equipped, will also be established within the project, in the homes of three families, one in Buda village- Şipote hamlet, the second in Poiana Negustorului village in Blăgești commune and the third in Şupan district of Comănești city. The families of “community rescuers” will be trained by going through an intensive basic first aid course, and will have the role of solving minor emergencies in the community and preventing the aggravation of the situation in case of major emergencies.

CCSI – Model of intervention in the Roma inclusion and empowerment process

Promoter: Roma Center for Health Policies – SASTIPEN

Partners: Institute for Public Policies (IPP), ActiveWatch Association, Polovragi Town Hall (Gorj County), Hamcearca Town Hall and Ciucurova Town Hall (Tulcea County)

Amount of funding: 793,557 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: December 2020 – February 2023

Contact: http://www.servicii-integrate.ro/

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/centrecomunitaredeserviciiintegrate/

 

The project aims to support at least 900 members of Roma communities by facilitating their access to integrated services: educational, medical, mediation and employment. The members of the local communities from Polovragi (Gorj), Hamcearca and Ciucurova (Tulcea) who are facing economic and social difficulties have access, starting with June 2021, to educational, social and medical services provided within three new community centres, established through the project.

Within the 3 centres, the members of the local communities will benefit from assistance in order to stimulate school performance and prevent early school dropout, primary health services, monitoring and enrolling pregnant women and new-borns on the lists of family doctors, information, counselling and mediation activities on the labour market, but also legal assistance to obtain identity documents and clarify the housing situation. Through the three centres, over 120 people acquired or renewed their identity documents or were supported in the preparation of the necessary documents to obtain them, another 22 being helped to prepare the necessary documents for the legalization of the housing situation.

The initiative also includes the implementation of a program of local empowerment of Roma for a minimum number of 450 persons and the implementation of a program to combat discrimination and promote intercultural dialogue, addressed to a minimum of 900 persons. Through its long-term activities, the program will significantly contribute to reducing the economic and social disparities among the population at local level, as well as to empowering Roma to actively participate in the decision-making process.

Through the services offered within the community resource centers and through the activities of Roma empowerment and the implementation of activities in the field of combating discrimination and promoting intercultural dialogue, the project proposal respects and recognizes the basic values of the EU and is an integral part of the general policies, especially in the fields of education, health, employment, social affairs, housing, anti-discrimination and anti-gypsy-ism.

The activities of the project are aimed especially at Roma as a target group but do not exclude other persons living in similar economic conditions, considered vulnerable persons. The intercultural approach is a key element in the implementation of the project considering the intercultural environment existing at the level of the communities selected in the project, so that promoting mutual understanding will contribute to combating the prejudices on both sides.

Through the proposed intervention model, the project will generate a positive change in the long term, thus contributing to the promotion of social inclusion, combating poverty and any form of discrimination, as well as to increasing the access of Roma to integrated quality services as well as increasing the quality of these services.

At the same time, the project activities aim the mainstreaming approach, respectively the integration of Roma in society activities and to avoid measures that risk to deepen the segregation or to create new forms of segregation and will actively support desegregation measures.

Integrated services for Roma people from vulnerable communities

Promoter: Save the Children Romania Organization

Partners: E-Romnja Association (Association for the Promotion of Roma Women’s Rights) and Bahna City Hall, Neamț County

Funding value: 980,833 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: March 2021 – December 2023

Contact: https://www.salvaticopiii.ro/ce-facem/protectie/protectia-copiilor-de-etnie-roma

Social media: Save the Children Romania

 

The project aims to develop an integrated and innovative system of accessible and quality services that ensure the growth of Roma inclusion and empowerment in 4 localities in Neamt, Suceava, Timiș and Dolj counties.

The project aims to provide quality integrated sectoral services for 1310 persons in vulnerable situations, out of which 1275 are Roma, from marginalized communities in 4 counties in Romania: Neamt (Bahna, Izvoare village), Suceava (Ciprian Porumbescu, Ciprian Porumbescu village), Timiș (Checea, Checea village) and Dolj (Breasta, Breasta village). The project also provides for actions to empower Roma people, as well as measures to improve awareness to combat discrimination.

The 4 communities participating in the project will improve their status as marginalized communities by: the number of children participating in educational programs, increasing the number of persons employed on the formal labour market, as well as by reducing inequalities in coverage with social and medical services.

Through all these long-term positive effects, the project will contribute to the interruption of the cycle of socio-economic exclusion and of the vicious circle of poverty and implicitly to the “increase of Roma inclusion and empowerment”.

All for all – Integrated services for the inclusion of disadvantaged communities in Odorheiu Secuiesc

Promoter: ASSOCIATION “CARITAS – SOCIAL ASSISTANCE” BRANCH OF CARITAS ALBA IULIA ORGANIZATION

Partner: Odorheiu Secuiesc City Hall

Funding value: 416,158 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: January 2020 – March 2023

Contact: https://caritas-ab.ro/ro/project/toti-pentru-toti/

Social media: Caritas Alba Iulia

 

The project aims to combat discrimination, increase the inclusion of marginalized communities and empower Roma in the city of Odorheiu Secuiesc through an integrative approach and through a series of social, medical, educational and employment supportive services. An integrated community centre, established within the project, will provide basic social services: personal hygiene services, counselling and social assistance services, education and training services for young people and adults, early education services.

The initiative aims, on one hand, to establish an Integrated Community Centre by renovating and arranging some spaces owned by the city hall that will have a destination dedicated to long-term social services, and, on the other hand, a series of interventions whose beneficiaries are all families in vulnerable situations and live in the four distinct areas.

The interventions supported within the project will contribute to the participation of children in the educational process, to reducing the risk of school dropout, to increasing the chances of access to jobs. An integral part of the project is also the component of providing mobile medical services and arranging an accessible medical office for the marginalized community.

Thanks to the partnership with the local authority, the long-term sustainability of the established social services is ensured.

Iris – Integration of Roma through Innovative Skills

Promoter: Alba Iulia City Hall

Partners: GAL Alba Iulia Inclusive Association and Barnas Musikkteater Sono AS Association from Norway

Funding value: 403,399 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: December 2020 – September 2022

Contact: https://irisalbaiulia.ro/

Social media: Iris Alba Iulia

 

The local authorities in Alba Iulia are running an initiative to help improve the lives of members of the disadvantaged Roma community on the outskirts of the city, in Lumea Nouă neighbourhood.

This project aims to provide educational services for 156 Roma, to improve housing services (repairs, sanitization, painting, installation of tiles, faience and floors) for 300 Roma in 50 households. Also, 456 Roma benefit from integrated services, and 74 professionals will be trained in working with Roma people.

In order to achieve the proposed goal and objectives, actions for the recruitment of volunteers, press conferences and actions to promote the project and 3 local sensitisation and awareness initiatives regarding the observance of Roma rights, the fight against anti-gypsy-ism, stereotypes and harassment and a sensitisation and awareness-raising campaign on maintaining an optimal health condition will be carried-out during the implementation of the project activities.

At the same time, through the Norwegian partner, educational and artistic services were provided for 60 children and young people, respectively training activities for 60 adults and specialists and exchange of good practices and tools.

A message for the future

Promoter: Săsciori commune, Alba county

Partners: Răchita Non Profit Association, Răchita Association and the Association for the Promotion of Rural Potential Procivitas Alba

Funding value: 478,762 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: December 2020 – December 2023

Contact: http://unmesajpentruviitor.ro/

Social media: A Message for the Future – Project financed by Frds

 

The initiative aims to increase the level of education by providing educational services, increasing the level of information and training, the level of qualification and awareness on discriminatory attitudes and prejudices of the Roma minority in Răchita and Loman localities, in Săsciori commune, Alba County.

The arrangement of an educational centre for children is foreseen within the project, to offer educational services, the organization of professional training courses offered by the collaborating associations, as well as of courses and workshops aimed at combating discrimination and prejudices

The investment will lead to combating the discriminatory attitudes and prejudices of the Roma minority in the intervention communities, by increasing the level of education, information and qualification.

After the first year of implementation, the initiative carried out by the local authorities in Săsciori has registered a series of progresses aimed at increasing the degree of social inclusion of Roma children and adults in the villages of Loman and Răchita: 40 children benefit from after-school educational services, the rehabilitation of the educational centre for children in Loman is being carried out, 22 persons have obtained the qualification certificate in the profession of “paver” and steps have been taken to organize a  new qualification course in the profession “building and transportation means cleaner ” and empowerment activities were organized to facilitating the obtaining of identity documents and rehabilitation of housing, to improve the health condition and to combat discrimination and prejudices.

IncluziROMOltenia – Social inclusion and empowerment of Roma in Oltenia

Promoter: Romanita Humanitarian Association

Partners: “Luca Solomon” High School – Vaideeni, Valcea, Catane High School, Dolj, “SPERANTA PENTRU VALEA VERDE” Association, Polovragi, Margaritesti High School, Olt, Regional Association for Entrepreneurial Development Oltenia (ARDA Oltenia), Eurom Social Construct Association, Craiova

Funding value: 710,261 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: July 2021 – February 2023

Contact: https://incluziromoltenia.ro/

Social media: Incluzirom Oltenia

The project aims to increase the degree of social inclusion and empowerment of Roma by implementing integrated measures oriented to the needs of marginalized communities in the localities Vaideeni (Valcea), Polovragi (Gorj), Vânjuleț (Mehedinţi), Voineasa (Olt) and Catane (Dolj).

The implementation of the initiative will increase the access to and quality of services for 950 Roma in vulnerable situations, at risk or facing various forms of social exclusion through integrated measures offered in the fields of social assistance, education, employment, health and housing.

Also, the activities carried out are aimed at increasing the capacity of 75 specialists and volunteers in the fields of education, health, employment in working with Roma people at the level of the intervention localities through a professional training program (social mediator course) and mentoring (development of intervention plans).

Last but not least, the project will generate the increase of the capacity of the members of the Roma community to mobilize in order to act jointly to solve the problems they are facing through a community facilitation process implemented at the level of the 5 localities targeted by the project (Vaideeni, Polovragi, Catane, Voineasa and Vânjuleț).

VIP PLUS Volunteering - Initiatives - Professionalism for quality in day care services for children from vulnerable communities

Promoter: General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) Ialomita

Partners: DGASPC Arad, DGASPC Buzău, DGASPC Mureș and the CRIPS Resource and Information Center Association for Social Professions.

Funding value: 954,209 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: January 2021 – January 2023

Contact: http://vip-plus.crips.ro/

Social media: VIP Plus

 

The project aims to contribute to increasing the chances of social inclusion and a better empowerment of Roma children and young people and their families from rural communities and disadvantaged urban neighborhoods in Ialomita, Arad, Buzau and Mures counties, ensuring the development of the quality of services provided to the Roma population by 9 day care centres that promote models of good empowerment practices,  awareness-raising and non-discrimination campaigns, networking, teamwork and social solidarity.

The project is addressed to a number of 527 children and young people from the 4 counties, beneficiaries of 9 day care centres:

Day care centre Slobozia – Ialomita County

The day care centre within the Local Assistance Centre Făcăeni – Ialomita County

Multifunctional Centre Bora neighbourhood – Ialomița county

Day care center for children Ineu – Arad County

Day care center for the prevention of separation of the child from his family Hasmas – Arad County

Day care center Pancota – Arad County

Day Care Center – Complex of Services for the Disabled Children no.14 Râmnicu Sărat – Buzau County

Day care center Glodeni – Mureş County

Day care center Bukner Târnăveni – Mureş County.

Through this approach, the initiators aimed to reduce school dropout among beneficiaries, both by increasing access to support services and by improving the quality of these services. It is about providing remedial education, recreational, skills development and personal development services from multidisciplinary teams. Also, the project activities are aimed at training / informing the staff of the day care centres, parents, Roma leaders and members of the communities where these centres operate.

IMPACT Ludești

Promoter: Association “FDP – Protagonists in education”

Partners: Ludești Town Hall, Dâmbovița County

Amount of funding: 440,661 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: January 2022 – December 2024

Contact: https://impact-ludesti.fdpsr.ro/

Social media: FDP – Protagonists in education

 

The general objective of the project is to improve the social inclusion of Roma in the commune of Ludesti, Dâmbovița through integrated education, health, employment, empowerment services, and also support for improving housing conditions. Particular attention is paid to Roma children and young people, especially Roma girls, and the project aims to create a strong local partnership between teachers, parents, pupils, public institutions and the community.

200 children from primary and secondary school will participate in remedial and non-formal education activities, and 120 young people will benefit from professional counselling services and will participate in qualification courses in relevant trades requested by employers in the area.

The project also provides health education services for a number of 350 children and young people, as well as programs to empower and increase the capacity of 25 young Roma and 15 Roma experts from the community.

The young people enrolled in the project activities:

  • Will get support from teachers for assisted schoolwork
  • Will participate in learning activities through play and exploration
  • Will participate in one of the 10 trips of 1 day (20 children / each trip)
  • Will be given health and nutritional supplements
  • Will be provided with material support consisting in school supplies and clothing
  • Education through sport
  • Arrangement of a playground in the schoolyard in Teleşti village, Ludesti commune
  • Sports activities based on the experience of the “sports social school”, a program developed in partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation

The values promoted through sports activities: respect, education, health, equality, self-esteem and autonomy.

Integrated services for Roma inclusion

Promoter: Health Action Overseas (HAO) Foundation

Partners: Curcubeul Cunoașterii Association (Medgidia), Social Integration Support Association (ASIS), Gălbinași City Hall (Călărași county)

Amount of funding: 822,018 euros (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: February 2022 – January 2024

Contact: https://www.proiect-sir.ro/

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/proiectulsir

 

The integrated approach of the problems in the Roma communities from Barăci-Medgidia and Gălbinași will lead to a better life for its beneficiaries by increasing the social cohesion, the economic development of the two marginalized areas where the project interventions are carried out. A minimum of 1100 people (children, young people, adults), families and Roma experts (main target group) will benefit from the opportunities offered by the project. The City Hall of Medgidia and the Secondary School nr. 1 of Gălbinaşi will collaborate to the proper development of this project.

Specifically, four categories of services will be provided within the project. First of all, we are talking about information, counselling and accompaniment services, including for acquiring identity documents and obtaining property documents (in Gălbinaşi).

A second category of services concerns the educational and personal development segment for children and adults, namely remedial education services and education through reading, learning and play, respectively parental education services, thematic courses and workshops for adults (first aid, anti-discrimination, community facilitation).

The project also provides employment services (vocational profiling, evaluation and certification of professional skills obtained through non-formal or informal ways, mediation for insertion into the labour market), as well as health services, including medical consultations and psychological counselling. It is important to underline that of the 1,100 people, 300 will benefit from integrated services: education, employment, housing, health.

A Guide for accessing goods, services and benefits in an easy-to-read and understandable format for the benefit of 300 Roma people will be also developed within the project. At the same time, a support group will be developed for young Roma women in each locality where our team intervenes.

Regarding the fight against discrimination, information visits will be organized to at least 150 institutions and organizations from Constanta and Calarasi counties, in order to identify good practices in terms of working with Roma people, as well as the training needs in the field. In addition, 230 specialists and volunteers from the fields of education, health, employment, social assistance working with Roma people will benefit from training sessions on the development of competences in recognizing and combating discrimination against Roma. At the same time, a documentary film and a Guide of good practices that will in the benefit of the employees in 300 mayoralties from Constanta and Calarasi Counties will be made within the project.

In order to increase the social cohesion, photo exhibitions, volunteering activities and events such as “treasure hunt”, with the participation of the Roma population, but also of the majority will be organized in the two communities during the project.

By educating the present, we are preparing the future

Promoter: BUCKNER FOUNDATION

Partners: Târnăveni City Hall (Murel County) and Zagăr Municipality Town Hall (Mureș County)

Funding value: 4,611,690.25 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: March 2022 – October 2023 (20 months)

Contact: https://pregatimviitorul.ro/

Social media: Educating the present prepares the future

 

In Mures County, with the financial support of the EEA Grants 2014-2021, the project proposes educational, social, health services, as well as legal and psychological counselling to 1,300 Roma children and adults from Târnăveni, Zagăr and Viișoara localities.

Considering that in the areas of implementation of the project proposal there is a significant population belonging to the Roma minority, by approaching integrated support measures in the field of education aimed at informing and raising awareness of the local population about the importance of education, facilitating access to innovative educational methods, introducing non-formal education modules for nutrition and hygiene,  sustainable development and respect for the principle of equal opportunities, the project will generate a long-term positive effect, both for the project beneficiaries and for the respective communities.

In this respect, the activities and results will include both families and individuals, and will take into account that during the project implementation period we will support the project beneficiaries, on one hand to develop their skills for life, to develop their skills to access the different resources necessary for development and on the other hand to have access to a series of integrated and concrete services that will support them to be able to develop in vital and necessary areas such as access to jobs and education.

The integrated measures are strongly correlated with the needs of the community and ensure a better involvement of the local authorities in the effective work with the people from the marginalized communities from Tarnaveni, Zagar Commune and Viisoara Commune targeted in the project.

Ogra. Door - open doors for social inclusion

Promoter: Ogra Town Hall, Mureș County

Partners: Loc Foundation, Ogra Commune High School

Funding value: 1,905,130 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: March 2022 – October 2023 (20 months)

Contact: https://ogradoor.ro/

Social media: OgraDoor

 

The initiative aims to increase the inclusion and empowerment of 668 Roma from Ogra commune, Mures County, through the development and implementation of local and social development services in the housing, education, employment and health sectors.

The educational component aims at carrying out educational activities within a non-formal educational centre equipped within the project. The educational support process will be addressed to the children and young people from the target group through non-formal education and leisure activities, their parents following to participate in parental education sessions.

The added value of the project derives from remedying the very serious problem existing at local level related to the lack of property deeds, developing a strategy to combat discrimination at local level and improving the local action plan for Roma

The project also includes Roma Empowerment actions, in particular 20 Roma women, 10 young Roma women, 10 Roma experts and leaders, from Ogra.

In order to combat the discrimination of Roma in the locality, the initiators of the project have proposed to organize, over the course of 14 months, a public anti-discrimination campaign called “Ogra.Door – open doors for social inclusion”, which will address 400 Roma and non-Roma people. Actions that combat discrimination also include facilitating and social mediating to identify and strengthen partnerships to solve community problems through a participatory approach.

SMART Ghindari –integrated social actions for inclusive development

Promoter: Ghindari Town Hall, Mureș County

Partners: Cultural Association WESSELÉNYI – Ghindari; “Wesselenyi Miklos” Secondary School

Amount of funding: 1,850,030 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: March 2022 – October 2023

Contact: https://smartghindaripn1035.ro/

 

Estimatedly, in the locality of residence (Ghindari commune) and the 5 villages belonging to it, there are approximately 3,250 inhabitants, out of which 211 (6.49%) officially Roma and, unofficially, about 1,204 (37.04%) of Roma people. The project aims to increase the access of 693 Roma people from Ghindari commune in vulnerable situations to social inclusion services of housing, education, employment, health.

The most pressing problems of the Roma community in Ghindari are represented by the lack of property documents and the poor health condition.

During the process of elaborating the project, the local authorities identified in Ghindari commune that out of 395 Roma households, a number of 693 Roma people who are located in 231 households and who live in the Roma community from Ghindari commune do not have property documents. Also, it was found that these families from Ghindari village, cannot solve their situation related to property deeds due to the lack of financial resources, the complexity of legal problems that they do not fully understand, a situation existing for several generations. The project will facilitate the resolution of this problem for all identified households.

The 693 people benefiting from the project will also be provided with health service, 2 sequential health information campaigns in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic on topics related to environmental hygiene and home hygiene. In addition, basic health services will be provided within the project.

Basic community medical services offered by the health mediator are aimed at informing and advising  the beneficiaries on the basic notions of healthy eating, family planning, mobilization, accompanying, facilitation, enrolment of new-borns. Also, the project will boost the mobilization of the population for participation in vaccination programs, prophylactic medical check-ups and will promote reproductive health and family planning; medical care and assistance as well as palliative care at home, curative and recovery, in view of social reintegration and other basic health services requested by the beneficiaries.

The integrated services are accompanied by actions to empower Roma, especially 55 persons, out of which 35 Roma women, 10 young Roma women, 10 Roma experts and leaders from Ghindari Commune, as well as actions aimed at combating discrimination and changing the perception of the majority population about Roma people.

Gârceni: I decide!

Promoter: Gârceni Municipality Town Hall, Vaslui County

Partners: Om Bun Association and “PRO ROMA” Association Iași

Amount of funding: 2,774,424 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: January 2022 – January 2024

Contact: https://www.primariagirceni.ro

Social media: Gârceni: I decide PN 1040

 

Located in the north of Vaslui County, Gârceni commune is, according to the Atlas of Marginalized Rural Areas, a severely marginalized rural area. For many of the inhabitants, allowances and social benefits are the main sources of income. In an attempt to ensure a better future for community members, the local authorities decided to invest primarily in education. The initiative is part of a complex social inclusion program addressed to the Roma members of the community, which includes social, educational, employment, health and empowerment measures for a number of 840 persons belonging to vulnerable groups (of which 760 are Roma) from disadvantaged areas of Gârceni commune (Slobozia, Racovita, Trohan and Racova villages).

Noticing that the students who accumulate, in time, a large number of absences from classes gradually end up dropping out of school, the initiators of the project have started a “school after school” programme, through which over 100 students from Secondary School no. 1, Gârceni village, enrolled in the primary cycle, are helped, after classes, to do their homework. They are also provided with a hot meal every day, as well as school supplies and clothing. In addition, information sessions on the importance of schooling and parental education activities are organized for parents.

Also, since many members of the intervention community do not have a stable job, services are provided within the project to increase access to the labour market by organizing vocational qualification training programmes. Already, in February 2023, 20 people were certified for the occupation of “Elderly caregivers at home”, another 20 being certified for the occupation of “Plumber worker for constructions”.

In order to improve the health of the community, 431 vulnerable persons from the commune will benefit from dental services. Also, 370 children will receive hygiene packages in order to become aware of and comply with the elementary rules of hygiene.

In order to increase self-esteem and develop skills to actively participate in solving community problems, the project organizes personal development workshops, with targeted topics such as leadership, socio-emotional skills, communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, effective time management. In addition, several informative seminars will be organized on how to assert rights, effective ways to access public services and accountability of public and private entities, as well as training sessions on empowerment of 120 Roma women on topics such as local women entrepreneurship, family budget management, communication and negotiation, IT&C skills.

Facilitating access to integrated education, health, employment and empowerment for vulnerable persons in Sector 1

Promoter: UAT City Hall Sector 1

Partners: Viață si Lumină Foundation, E-Romnja Association and the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) Sector 1.

Amount of funding: 1,897,907.40 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: May 2022 – April 2024

Contact: https://www.primariasector1.ro/facilitarea-accesului-la-servicii-integrate-de-educatie.html

The project aims to develop an integrated and innovative system of quality services that ensure the increase of inclusion and empowerment of Roma people in the identified Roma communities in Sector 1 of Bucharest.

600 persons in vulnerable situations, out of which at least 400 Roma, from three districts of Sector 1: Giulești Sârbi, Chitila/Chitila Triaj and Straulesti have access to sectoral and integrated education, health, employment and social assistance services.

Thus, among the expected results of the project, we mention that 8 persons will have new identity documents, 200 children will benefit from educational services to prevent early school dropout, 300 persons, of which 150 Roma will benefit from employment services, 11 specialists and volunteers working with Roma people will improve their skills, 30 Roma people will benefit from empowerment measures. Also, two campaigns on education and parenting topics will be organized to raise awareness of the Roma population.

An important component of this project is the educational one by identifying and reducing the risk of school dropout of preschool children who live in Sector 1 and are in a vulnerable situation, by creating a mechanism to prevent and combat absenteeism and school dropout.

Several partners are involved in this project: Life and Light Foundation, E-Romnja Association and the General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) Sector 1. Representatives of these entities have already formed a mobile team that visits the Roma communities to conduct social surveys, to identify the needs of each family member and to draw up a personalized intervention plan. As a result of these social surveys, 200 children were selected, out of which 150 Roma children and 50 Romanian children. They will benefit from school mediation, vocational counselling, school, psychological counselling, mentoring, material support (food packages, transport reimbursement to get children to school, clothing and shoes for the children enrolled in the education system).

Also, the parents of these children will be advised to support the educational path of the student and the family-school-DGASPC Sector 1 relationship will be mediated in order to strengthen the collaboration in the process of preventing school dropout. Students who will continue their education will enter a mentoring program provided by the volunteers of the Life and Light Foundation.

Good governance and equal opportunities in Iana

Promoter: Iana commune, Vaslui county

Partners: LOVE AND TRUST ASSOCIATION, PRO ROMA ASSOCIATION

Funding value: 3,212,466 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: January 2022 – September 2023

Contact: http://pn1049.primariaiana.ro/index.php/ro/

Social media: Good governance and equal opportunities in Iana PN 1049

In Iana commune, Vaslui County, the project “Good governance and equal opportunities in Iana” is being carried out, an initiative through which the local authorities aim at Roma inclusion in the locality by providing educational services, professional training programs and dental-type medical services. The activities are addressed to a total of 1190 persons belonging to disadvantaged groups, out of which 884 persons of Roma ethnicity)

In order to improve the educational performance of children from grades I-IV, an afterschool programme is organized within the projects, which includes 177 pupils who receive support for homework, and who also have a daily hot meal.

As many members of the community encounter difficulties in finding and keeping a job, the project provides training for 40 persons in the trades of home care-taker for the elderly and plumber worker in the constructions field.

The component of the project aimed at Roma empowerment includes 6 personal development workshops, addressed to 150 persons. In December 2021, following two sessions, 45 community members, experts and Roma leaders enriched their knowledge in areas such as leadership, socio-emotional skills, communication, teamwork, conflict resolution and time management.

The key to the future - Social inclusion in Budila commune

Promoter: Budila commune, Brașov county

Partners: Support and Development Association from Brașov

Funding value: 4,864,964.80 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: January 2021 – January 2024

Contact: www.cheia-viitorului-budila.ro

 

The specific problem approached by the project is the socio-economic exclusion of Roma from Budila locality, Brasov County, an initiative through which the local authorities aim to stimulate the involvement of the community members in making important decisions for them, through their personal development and empowerment, especially of the Roma women from Budila commune.

The project activities are addressed to a total of 1,335 vulnerable people through educational, health, employment and empowerment measures. The structure of the target group includes 95 preschool children, aged between 3-6 years, from Budila commune and 770 children and young people (children aged 6-12 years, and young people 13-17 years), brothers and / or siblings of preschool children and 470 vulnerable parents.

Through the project, the local authorities are considering to build and arrange a kindergarten with extended hours, in order to increase the access to early public education services. Also, through school and vocational counselling and guidance activities and sports dedicated to students, measures to combat school dropout.

At the same time, parents in the community will participate in workshops dedicated to the development of child-raising skills that will increase the awareness about the role of the family in the child’s education.

The poor health of the community members led to the need to include the construction and endowment of a dental office and a medical office, sanitary units that will be set up within the kindergarten, from these services follow to benefit all preschool children. Also, the children and young people in the project will benefit from health services, medical and dental assistance free of charge

The project activities are aimed both at reducing the differences between the vulnerable Roma population and the majority population through access to integrated services, as well as at reducing discrimination among the Roma community and at changing the majority population’s perception of Roma people. An instrument in this regard is represented by an anti-discrimination campaign that will address 500 people belonging to the non-Roma population.

Social Inclusion and Roma Empowerment in Satu Mare County

Promoter: Tașnad city, Satu Mare county

Partners: Satu Mare Intercommunity Development Association and the Romanian Red Cross Society, Satu Mare Branch

Funding value: 4,414,864.62 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: January 2022 – January 2024

Contact: https://inclusiuenoromi.ro/

Social media: Project – Social inclusion and empowerment of Roma from Satu Mare county

 

 

The project aims to contribute to the social inclusion of 1,300 vulnerable persons, of which 1,250 are Roma, through integrated social assistance, health, education and anti-discrimination measures. The interventions are concentrated in the town of Tășnad (Sărăuad and Cervechi districts), the town of Ardud and in 8 villages in Satu Mare County: Stâna (Socond commune), Pelisor (Lazuri commune), Hrip (Păuleşti commune), Irina (Andrid commune), Cidreag (Porumbeşti commune), Atea (Dorolţ commune), Santău (Santău commune), Turulung (Turulung commune).

Local authorities facilitate the access of the most vulnerable to the labour market and promote equal employment opportunities. The first steps taken within the project were dedicated to changing the mentalities regarding the access of Roma persons to the labour market. In this respect, an awareness campaign was organized regarding the promotion of the principle of equal opportunities on the labour market of the Roma in Satu Mare County. The campaign supported over 600 persons from the communities targeted by the project, being provided with information on the advantages of formal employment on the labour market, the importance of obtaining and maintaining a stable job. The phenomenon of discrimination and the forms it can take on the labour market have been presented and exemplified in order to help Roma people recognize and know how situations of violation of equal access to the labour market can be sanctioned.

In addition, during personal development workshops, 219 people were advised for employment, with meetings aimed at self-knowledge, promoting positive attitudes and self-confidence, and the importance of managing important decisions related to the workplace. The employment counsellor aimed to explore personal qualities, aspirations and professional interests identified in close connection with personal and professional experience and stress management for participation in the job interview. Practical aspects related to the difficulties faced by vulnerable people on the labour market were discussed, the beneficiaries being taught how to prepare a Curriculum Vitae and how to present themselves at an interview, etc.

Further, the project’s efforts will be focused on supporting at least 100 Roma people in employment. Also, the initiators aim to increase the capacity of the 10 communities targeted by the intervention, to manage the problems faced by the Roma, by training 15 health mediators and 15 community facilitators.

DEMNI – Equitable, Non-Discriminating and Inclusive Measures

Promoter: Moreni Municipality, Dâmbovița county

Partners: Adjud Municipality, Vrancea County and the Dantes Entrepreneurship Development Association

Funding value: 3,741,000 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: December 2022 – April 2024

Contact: Moreni City Hall

 

In order to increase the use of public services for vulnerable people, the local authorities implement a complex programme of integrated social, educational, and medical services for 800 Roma people from Moreni and Adjud localities.

Thus, 130 parents / legal representatives / tutors and 400 Roma children from the two intervention localities will be included in information and counselling activities, material support and creative, motivational, recreational, occupational activities throughout the project.

In order to increase and diversify the chances on the labour market, a number of 355 Roma persons will benefit from information measures, professional counselling and mediation on the labour market, professional training.

As concerns the socio-medical intervention, a mobile team will provide medical tests and consultations, dental services, hygienic-sanitary kits, workshops on the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle will be organized.

AL-IN – Localized Actions and Inclusion in Roma Communities in Călăraşi County

Promoter: Calarasi County Council

Partner: Center for Education and Human Rights Association (ACEDO)

Funding value: 2,298,538.05 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: April 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023

Contact: www.calarasi.ro

 

The project aims to increase the inclusion and empowerment of about 630 Roma people from 3 communities in Calarasi County – Chirnogi, Soldanu, Mânăstirea, through an extensive program that includes education, health and employment measures appropriate to the needs of the beneficiaries, through a proactive social assistance, by empowering Roma youth and women.

The project focuses on 3 major areas, the education of children in primary and preschool cycles, combined with an effort of personal and professional development of mothers / legal tutors of children and on empowering them to support the child’s complete educational path; the employment of young people and women, in particular self-employment and empowerment for access to the labour market as an employee or entrepreneur; the health of communities, through health services and health education differentiated for children and adults, depending on the identified needs.

In addition to these services, an important aspect that will be pursued within the project is the stimulation of the dialogue between the community members, the awareness of the non-discriminatory attitudes towards the Roma community, and last but not least, the actions aimed at empowering the Roma community.

The long-term positive effect is given by the social and economic benefits that the proposed measures will bring to each area of intervention, as follows:

In the case of education services, which target a total of about 360 beneficiaries from the 3 communities, the benefits come from maintaining each child supported by the project in the educational system for as long as possible, namely:

  • increasing the chances of obtaining a professional qualification, which has a direct impact in employment on the labour market
  • increasing the chances of getting a job
  • reducing the burden on the social unemployment insurance system
  • reducing the level of crime associated with the lack of employment in disadvantaged areas

In the case of employment services, targeting 90 beneficiaries, the positive impact consists of:

  • access to better paid jobs and with subsequent specialization opportunities
  • the existence of secure incomes, which stimulate the financial stability of the family
  • the possibility of approaching entrepreneurship as an opportunity for future self-employment

In the case of health services, targeting a number of 450 people (270 beneficiaries of services integrated with the other two types of services mentioned above), the positive impact translates into:

  • raising awareness of own health and family health and of the measures that can be taken to promote health (nutrition, sports, avoiding self-medication, enrolling with a family doctor,)
  • identifying health problems that could become chronical intime, so they could be treated and reduced in intensity, thus relieving the medical system of costs and subsequent interventions
  • early identification and treatment of children’s dental problems
Increasing Roma Inclusion and Empowerment in Pecica

Promoter: Pecica city, Arad county

Partners: General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) Arad, Cultural Association of Minorities from Pecica

Amount of funding: 4,853,595.68 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: February 2022 – December 2023

Contact: https://www.incluziene-pecica.ro/

 

 

The local authorities in Pecica, the second most populated city in Arad County, are running a complex social program, through which they aim to meet and support the needs of 1906 members of the community, of which 1,335 are Roma people in the city. The Programme includes social, educational, employment, health measures and valorisation of Roma culture and traditions.

The initiative focuses on promoting the knowledge of the Roma culture at local level and on ensuring the respect of the rights of this community, in the spirit of the good cohabitation of all the inhabitants of the city, a multi-ethnic community in which the majority Romanian population lives in harmony with those of Hungarian and Roma ethnicity, but also with members of other ethnicities, less represented at local level – Serbs, Slovaks, Germans and Ukrainians.

The first steps taken within the project, with the support of the partners from DGASPC Arad, were dedicated to personal development and increasing self-esteem among representatives of the Roma community. The sessions organized in the first months of the project aimed at knowing and affirming the rights and responsibilities of community members in society, improving assertive communication skills, expressing opinions in various situations, accessing community resources. In addition, the beneficiaries participated in counselling and information sessions on the importance of managing personal resources and a harmonious family life, developing parental skills and managing crisis situations. At the same time, 15 children from the community were enrolled in music classes, where they learn to play various musical instruments with tradition at local level, such as accordion and violin.

In order to combat discriminatory behaviours that can manifest themselves at local level, against Roma people, the promoters of the project also carried out a campaign to raise awareness of the majority population about the phenomenon of discrimination against Roma, to combat anti-Roma attitudes, stereotypes and harassment. In this respect, meetings were organized with teachers, specialists in working with Roma, employers and other relevant actors working on the local labour market, members of the community and representatives of the Roma, an anti-discrimination guide was developed. This guide has become a useful tool for the categories of people working with Roma people: teachers, representatives of the authorities, employers, etc.

The promoters are considering to organize activities that focus on culture, traditions, customs and way of life, including the traditional occupations of the Roma community in the locality, by organizing an exhibition of traditional occupations and crafts, costumes and customs, a cultural festival and the production of a documentary material about the life of the Roma community in Pecica.

Integrated and social services for the development of disadvantaged persons

Promoter: Albesti commune, Botoșani county

Partners: Săveni City, Botoşani County, Love and Trust Association and Pro Roma Association

Funding value: 4,847,989.00 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: February 2022 – February 2024

Contact: https://centrulcomunitarbesti.ro/

Through this project, the local authorities in Albești aim to increase the degree of inclusion and empowerment of Roma in Albești commune and Săveni city by developing integrated packages adapted to the identified needs.

The project proposes a series of integrated approaches and methods, provided through multidisciplinary teams formed at partnership level, through the direct consultation of the beneficiaries, children at risk of early school dropout / leaving and vulnerable adults identified in the 2 communities, which would directly contribute to increasing the level of school participation, social inclusion and information for 1,340 people.

In order to improve school participation and reduce the risk of school dropout for 120 children at risk of school dropout in Albești and Săveni, they are included in an integrated socio-educational program of school after school type. At the same time, the project includes other integrated measures that will act congruently on the child and the family, with the aim of reducing the school dropout, respectively food for the beneficiaries and material support through packages with hygiene products and school supplies. In addition, the children will benefit from ophthalmic services, within the headquarters of the Cultural House in Albești, a space for the provision of services in Albești commune and the headquarters of the multifunctional Cultural centre, a space for providing services in the city of Săveni.

At the same time, the project provides parenting education and social counselling sessions for 120 parents. Within the groups of parental education, the following topics will be addressed: “What does it mean to be an efficient parent?”, “Communication”, “Stress and anger management”, “Stages of child development”, “Education for health: sexual education, consumption of harmful substances”, “Entourage and leisure time for children and adolescents”, “How to be a reliable partner of your child”, “Effective ways of disciplining the child”, “The involvement of the parent in the child’s school achievements”, “We say goodbye!”. Individual counselling sessions for parents according to the needs identified during the parenting education sessions.

Two campaigns to combat all forms of discrimination against Roma and to empower Roma complete the range of activities of the project. The 800 participants in the campaigns will be selected from the vulnerable population from the 2 communities, 70% will be Roma people and 30% will be people belonging to the majority population. The campaigns include several information events dedicated to the promotion of Roma rights, the importance of participation in the education process, the opportunities existing on the labour market, topics with a focus on health and healthy lifestyle, access to social and

Increasing Roma inclusion and empowerment in Slobozia Bradului Commune, Vrancea County and Grebănu Commune, Buzău County

Promoter: Slobozia Bradului commune, Vrancea county

Partner: Free Attitude Association

Funding value: 4,109,182 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: March 2022 – February 2024

Contact: https://www.slobozia-bradului.primarievrancea.ro/

 

The local authorities have proposed that, through a complex program of social assistance, education, employment, health and housing measures, to improve the lives of 1,200 Roma and 200 non-Roma persons from the communes of Slobozia Bradului (Vrancea County) and Grebănu (Buzau County).

One of the main needs of community members is access to education so that children do not drop out of school anymore. The promoters of the project aimed to combat early school dropout by stimulating creativity, thus organizing cultural and sports activities for 140 children from grades I-VIII from Slobozia Bradului commune and 60 children from grades I-VIII from Grebănu commune. The 200 children will be stimulated by providing packages consisting of hot meals and sports equipment. The educational component of the project includes measures dedicated to the continuation of the school path of the pupils in the eighth grade.

Through counselling the pupils who are in the eighth grade in problems related to: self-knowledge, self-image, social adaptation and integration, school success, development crises, crisis situations, solving and overcoming a conflict, efficient learning techniques, career guidance. Educational counselling, targeting a total of 30 eighth grade Roma pupils from Slobozia Bradului commune and 20 eighth grade Roma pupils from Grebănu commune, involves at least two meetings of the pupils with a vocational counsellor and developing a career plan. They will be stimulated by providing hot meal packages and packs of books in the field in which each of them shows interest in further studies.

The commune of Slobozia Bradului has one of the highest birth rates at national level. Thus, 305 children were born here in 2020, 42 more than in the county capital municipality, Focsani, which has a population of about. 10 times more numerous. In order to carry out parental education programs, we are considering the realization of a support group for 230 young mothers from Slobozia Bradului commune and 70 young mothers from Grebănu commune.

In addition, the project activities provide support for 100 people to acquire identity cards and birth certificates.

The project also aims to improve the health of Roma people by accessing health services in the village dispensary. Thus, 500 people will be enrolled in a family doctor office, and will benefit from his services after the end of the project. At the same time, the endowment of a dental office with modern equipment will provide the members of the community with dental assistance.

The component of empowering and improving the knowledge of Roma includes the establishment of a citizens’ initiative group dedicated to Roma women and mothers, which will also act after finalizing the project and within which Roma women will know first of all their rights, but will also receive moral and legal support for inclusion in society, for finding a job, participation in professional improvement courses, etc. A number of 300 Roma women will benefit from educational services and the support of the citizens’ initiative group developed within the project.

Inclusion and health in the PORT (Hârșova) through education, arts and sports

Promoter: Hârșova city, Constanța county

Partner: Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation

Funding value: 2,882,571 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: March 2022 – February 2024

Contact: https://sanatateharsova.ro/

 

The project aims to increase the social inclusion and empowerment for the Roma community in Hârșova, through interventions that encourage increasing children’s access to quality medical services, through non-formal activities that lead to the reduction of absenteeism and school dropout, combating ethnic discrimination and increasing the active participation of Roma people in community decisions, proposes health interventions and non-formal education, dedicated in particular to disadvantaged children and parents or at risk of social exclusion.

During the first year of the project, members of the Roma community, but not only, from Hârșova city had the opportunity to participate in activities meant to actively contribute to the increase of economic and social cohesion at local level, by promoting an intercultural and integrative approach.

Addressed to either children or adults, the activities carried out aimed at increasing tolerance and acceptance towards the Roma community from the general population. At the same time, through the participation of representatives of the Roma community in the training activities, it is desired to promote messages of social responsibility, respect for the rights, but also for the civic obligations.

Thus, as a result of the activities carried out within the first year of the project, the following milestones were reached:

– over 180 children involved in sessions of non-formal activities that encouraged the expression of children, facilitating new learning experiences through which students learn how to take care of themselves, training independent living skills, forming daily healthy living habits;
– over 40 Roma women participating in the parenting education sessions aimed at familiarizing the participants with notions and practices of caretaking for the infant, young child, pre-schooler, pupil and adolescent, as well as increasing their capacity to represent themselves in society;
– 2 containers purchased and converted into school medical offices, in order to increase access to quality health services for at least 400 pupils, of which min 75% of Roma ethnicity;
– purchase of clothing for 180 children;
– purchase of sets of school supplies and hygiene items for 180 children.

Intercultural Development in Jilava Commune

Promoter: Jilava commune, Ilfov county

Partner: Amphiteatru Foundation

Amount of funding: 4,680,362 lei (EEA Grants)

Implementation period: July 2022 – April 2024

Contact: Jilava City Hall

 

Jilava City Hall has started a project that aims to sustainably increase the quality of life of the Roma community, contributing to increasing the inclusion and empowerment of Roma in Jilava commune, Ilfov County. The project responds to some needs that the local authorities have identified in the field: multiple discrimination, low socio-economic status, high risk of school dropout, lack of access to information, material deprivation and lack of future prospects are just some of the problems that characterize the Roma community in Jilava commune, Ilfov County.

In order to meet these needs, local authorities develop a programme that provides integrated services in the fields of education, health and employment, training in Roma rights, advocacy and inclusion, along with a cultural programme of empowerment and anti-discrimination.

The project includes the provision of educational and health services for 300 children in vulnerable situations, services for increasing the degree of professional training and improving the state of health (respectively maintaining a good health status) for 1,400 vulnerable people in Jilava commune, Ilfov county, by providing an employment service and a medical service, supporting an empowerment programme for 837 Roma people, intercultural training of 40 specialists and training of 37 Roma specialists and leaders in advocacy and human rights. Also, through the proposed educational services and through individualized actions aimed at functional illiteracy and the knowledge necessary for graduating from the eighth grade, as well as motivation, self-esteem, encouraging students, but also through the education of parents (200 adults will benefit from parental education), the project aims to decrease school dropout and improve the school situation of at least 100 students.

The actions started in Jilava commune, Ilfov county, by the Jilava City Hall (empowerment programme, non-formal education programme and training of specialists) carried out in partnership with the Amphitheatre Foundation (health services, training and maintenance of target group and contribution to activities) are aimed at increasing the inclusion and developing premises for a better quality of life for the Roma community.