Description
The project addresses the challenges faced by the Roma community in Varna and Kyustendil Municipalities (low education, illiteracy, lack of access to services).The project aims at training and using Roma Administrative Mediators (RAM) as a mechanism of efficient interaction between the Roma, the local administration and related NGOs. First, the methodology, training programme and work manual for RAM will be developed. Second, a 7-day training of 6 RAMs (2 from Kyustendil and 4 from Varna) will be held. Third, 10 Roma opinion leaders will be elected as members of the Roma Community Council set up in Varna to support RAM’s work. Next, online RAM network will be set up to enable experience sharing. Finally, the RAM practice will be presented at a round table attended by all the stakeholders. The project will benefit the Roma communities in the 2 municipalities, local authorities and the public. The 2 partners will help with establishing and testing of RAMs.
Summary of project results
The project helped overcome the lack of legal awareness, illiteracy, access to services in the course of the years and the consequent isolation of the Roma. The Roma communities considerably struggled in their communication with the administrative authorities and consequently the Roma citizens did not know and exercise their rights and obligations to a great extent. The main goal of the project was to support the process of social inclusion of vulnerable groups by empowering them and building the capacity of the community. A comprehensive methodology for the implementation of the programme for introduction of the Roma administrative mediator (RAM) in the municipalities was developed. Interaction between civil society organizations and vulnerable groups strengthened. The project was supported by the local authorities in the city of Varna and they assured in writing that they would do their best to involve regularly RAM at the municipality and the town councils. The project involved the drafting of a common methodology for the RAM programme, practical mediation, analysis of the results and programme promotion via the Network of Roma administrative Mediators. RAMs were very well represented and managed to win their place in the administration. The mayors of the two pilot neighbourhoods in Varna expressed their wish in a formal letter to the mayor and secretary of Varna Municipality to have RAM employed by the municipality. The mayors of other neighbourhoods in Varna Municipality also showed interest. The following project outputs were prepared to be used after the project end, i.e. training materials, i.e. a programme for RAM training, a guide titled Administrative Steps for exercising Civil Rights, a methodology for the introduction and application of the RAM programme in the municipalities, a monitoring report of the project titled Network of Roma Administrative Mediators, a project website with the Network of RAM. The main project beneficiaries were the representatives of Roma communities. 6 persons were trained as mediators. More than 20 persons became members of the Roma public councils. Members of the Roma communities, local administrations and NGOs joined the focus groups held under the project. The project was implemented with the active involvement of the Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives and the Liberal Alternative for Roma Civil Unity (LARGO).
Summary of bilateral results