Description
The project proposes a series of coherent measures intended to reduce the risk of exclusion and social marginalization of vulnerable groups from Buzau, Calarasi, Cluj, Dolj and Mures Counties. The target groups are decision makers and specialists from 20 local public authorities and from 5 NGOs with expertise in the field of social inclusion, representatives of vulnerable groups, with priority from the Roma communities, volunteers. Main activities: elaboration/improvement of 10 local action plans for social inclusion, through consultation and involvement of both specialists from public institutions, and citizens at risk of discrimination and social exclusion; the training of 125 decision makers and specialists from public institutions and NGOs and the setting up of 11 non-formal networks, the implementation of an anti-discrimination campaign. A toolkit that will include the 10 action plans, their implementation methodology and good practices examples of social inclusion will also be developed.
Summary of project results
The project implemented by an NGO (APSD -Agenda 21) in partnership with the National Agency of Civil Servants (NACS) offered coherent measures meant to contribute to reducing the risk of exclusion and social marginalization of vulnerable groups from Buzău, Călărași, Cluj, Dolj and Mureș counties. The target groups were decision makers and specialists from 20 local public institutions and authorities and from five NGOs with expertise in the area of fighting and preventing social exclusion, representatives of vulnerable groups, with priority given to Roma communities, volunteers. A study aimed to identify the need of vulnerable groups at risk of social exclusion and discrimination was elaborated. Through consultation and involvement of both specialists from public institutions and citizens at risk of discrimination and social inclusion, local action plans for social inclusion were developed. A toolkit including the action plans was elaborated and disseminated. A network of specialists in social inclusion was established. A campaign against discrimination was organized in the five counties included in the project. The campaign involved not only the target groups – citizens at risk of social exclusion, public servants and NGO`s representatives, but also the community at large. The project itself represented a model of holistic action in the field of social inclusion as it didn’t focus exclusively on the needs of the target group, but also on creating chances and equal opportunities for including these in the decision making processes. The social inclusion policies elaborated within the project contributed to applying a governance model meant to support reducing the economic and social differences that segregate the vulnerable groups from the rest of the society and to create equal opportunities for the participation of all citizens, including vulnerable groups, at the governance process and to ensure a non-discriminatory access to the public services.
Summary of bilateral results