Description
For over 15 years, a group of about 100 migrants - Roma from Romania, has been living in Wrocław. They are at risk of exclusion because of the unregulated status, poor knowledge of the Polish language, difficult housing situation. The purpose of the initiative is to empower the Romanian Roma community in Wrocław by: helping to complete the registration process required for their stay in the territory of Poland; fostering competence building among Roma leaders by improving their literacy, computer skills, Internet use and access to free-of-charge services; and involving the leaders in a public debate on the community through joint development of a communication package focused on the recommended forms of assistance, organizing workshops for institutions, and dissemination of publications with recommendations. The project will help increase the level of general knowledge of the Roma, and the knowledge of the staff of institutions, aid organizations and NGOs about this community. Technical content will be influenced by the Partnership with Centre for Sustainable Development of Wrocław's Communities Locus, adding to project prestige building among authorities.
Summary of project results
"Romanian Roma have been living in Poland for more than 20 years with no access to basic public services such as health care, education, labour market, and housing. Around 100 Roma nationals inhabit an encampment in Wrocław, remaining exposed to social exclusion for reasons of irregular stay status, poor command of the Polish language, and strenuous living conditions. The purpose of the project was to provide Romanian Roma with access to rights guaranteed to any EU citizen resident in a host membership country, to strengthen their position by offering computer-and-language courses and assistant help, to draft recommendations concerning co-operation with the Roma community, and to duly train Wrocław-based institutions. As a result, 106 persons were assisted during formalities and issue handling, 6 persons attended computer-and-language courses, a brochure of instructions on working with the Romanian Roma in Poland was published, and 30 persons representing institutions based in Wrocław and Lower Silesia were trained. Five persons were identified as Roma community leaders. Activities comprised a language-and-computer course tailored to meet group needs and interests, assistance in handling formalities (26 persons), help in pursuing claims in court and/or before the police and city guard (34 persons), action to make children part of the formal education system (16 children), and support at health care facilities (54 persons). To improve competencies of the host society in relations with the Roma community, 30 public officials, police officers, social workers, and medical staff were duly trained; 'Romanian Roma in Poland. A Manual of Working with the Community' was published. Beneficiaries included 106 Roma representatives, and 44 children of Roma origin in Wrocław. The Centre for Sustainable Development of the Wrocław Community (project partner) supported all activities, specifically the computer-and-language course and introducing children to the formal education system."
Summary of bilateral results