Description
A gap between Roma inclusion national strategies’ expectations and realities at local level still exist, especially in securing basic citizenship rights and access to education, employment, social services, health and housing. The project objective is to contribute to a decreased social exclusion of Roma in the six Croatian Counties with the highest number of Roma. The project will support stakeholders to implement infrastructure, action groups at local levels, strengthen local institutions to address structural obstacles, and empower Roma grassroot and NGO capacities for service delivery. The expected project outputs are improved capacity of local/county institutions to respond to the diverse needs of Roma; improved access of Roma to public services; and improved Roma self-employment/employment opportunities. The project's targets groups are representatives of public administration on local level, representatives of public services (Croatian Employment Service, Centers for social welfare, educational institutions), Roma Minority Councils and civil society organizations representatives.
Summary of project results
The project was based on the premise that only support for processes leading to systemic and continuous collaborative actions of different local actors (local self-government, public institution, civil society and private sector) is the main vehicle to enable disadvantaged groups to meet their needs. The following results were achieved: Four county action plans for Roma inclusion and Atlas of Roma settlements for Sisak-Moslavina, Koprivnica-Križevci, Slavonski Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Baranja and Primorje–Gorski Kotar counties. The Atlases are available at
www.atlas-romskihnaselja.hr as basic tools for design and monitoring of Roma inclusion interventions; Facilitated local forums for information exchange and joint action planning open for participation to all key and interested actors; Implementation of seven small community actions to improve communal and social infrastructure in Sisak-Moslavina County; Preparation of project fiches of 10 project proposals to be submitted for EU funding, developed based on priorities established by communities; 300 Roma informed about their citizens, social, educational and cultural rights; Six different cultural manifestations contributing to breaking down prejudice about Roma; mini video dictionary of bojash language for everyday use; documentary about traditional trade.
Summary of bilateral results