Description
Considering the insufficient cooperation and coordination among the Roma NGOs, and also their reduced experience in formulating and monitoring public policies, targeting Roma, Roma FORUM is more than necessary. Objectives: 1. To strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of 20 Roma NGOs in the area of monitoring public policies and advocacy for better public policies for Roma 2. To involve 20 Roma NGOs and activists in Roma FORUM network, for an efficient and qualitative process of monitoring public policies targeting Roma The target group includes Roma from the communities where the project will be implemented, and the public authorities that will benefit from the recommendations made by Roma FORUM. The beneficiaries are 20 Roma NGOs, which will benefit from the training courses and 20 NGOs, activists and researchers, members of the network. The expected result is to increase the involvement of Roma NGOs in public policies for improving the situation of Roma.
Summary of project results
The cooperation between the stakeholders within the Roma civic sector is scarce. Thus, the project has significantly contributed to improving the cooperation and coordination of Roma NGOs and their capacity of drafting and monitoring policies regarding the Roma community. More specifically, it improved the institutional and operational capacity of 20 NGOs in the field of public policy monitoring and advocacy. The project has been launched during a media event attended by 36 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of European Funds, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration and several NGOs. The Public Policy Institute has drafted a methodology for monitoring public policies for Roma, which represented the framework for the field research which was carried further on. The methodology emphasized the need for Roma NGOs involvement in the process of monitoring the implementation of public policies for Roma. A training program that increased the capacity of Roma NGOs to monitor public policies for Roma was organized, developing their watchdog capability and increasing their institutional capacity. Roma FORUM Network was initiated, consisting of 25 members of national and local Roma NGOs to work together for increasing Roma NGOs’ involvement in public policies and decision-making, and for improving their capacity. The project promoter issued 5 newsletters that presented the main activities and outcomes of the project. The Public Policy Institute drafted the alternative report with regard to the implementation of the Government’s Strategy for Roma Inclusion from 2011. The report has been sent for consultation to all the members of the Roma FORUM Network. At the same time, an online platform was created (
www.romaforum.eu) designed to foster the civic involvement of Roma people and to promote the results of policy monitoring. The project met the foreseen outcomes and led to a higher involvement of Roma NGOs in implementing and monitoring public policies for improving the situation of Roma.
Summary of bilateral results