Description
The project aims at reducing inequalities and improving measures to combat discrimination of vulnerable groups by developing and piloting an action plan at Dambovita County level for the period 2015 - 2017, with a view to combat/reduce discrimination/inequalities and promote social inclusion, diversity and intercultural understanding. The project will respond to a recent study on the situation of vulnerable persons in Dambovita County. The target group consists of 250 persons: 50 decision makers and specialists within public services, 15 policy makers and experts in non - governmental organizations, 20 members of professional associations working with vulnerable groups, 15 private sector representatives, who will participate in the seminars, interactive training sessions and testing action plan, and 150 persons belonging to vulnerable groups. The project contributes to increasing information and awareness about social inclusion, discrimination, inequality, diversity, also by means of the campaign “Equality in Diversity”.
Summary of project results
In Dambovita County, according to the 2011 census, there lived 5,27% Roma population, while in the entire Muntenia region lived 19,93% of the total Roma population of Romania. The Roma population was at high risk of poverty and social exclusion, facing a broad range of challenges. The employment rate among Roma population was of only 36%, while other 36% were looking for a job and 28% were inactive. In the context of high risk of poverty among the entire population of Romania, of 40, 3%, compared with 24% average rate at EU level, these vulnerabilities become even more urgent to address. Other issues that justified the need for this project were the professional segregation between men and women, with certain job areas being preponderently occupied by one or another, and the number of low skills young people (3899 persons) looking for a job and registered with the Dambovita employment agency. The project aimed to develop initiatives that would decrease the inequalities and improve the measures of combating discrimination of vulnerable groups, at risk of social and economic exclusion. A study on the situation of persons at risk of social exclusion in Dâmbovița County has been carried out, identifying and assessing the specific local needs, followed by drafting and testing a county level action plan 2015-2017, aiming to promote social inclusion, diversity and intercultural dialogue. A total number of 251 representatives of local authorities, out of which 147 from localities with a significant percentage of Roma population, 56 representatives of NGOs and private sector have been involved in various initiatives aiming to combat risk of social exclusion: local and county level networks of stakeholders that exchange good practices in social inclusion, information campaign - caravan „Equal in diversity”, interactive seminars on anti-discrimination, diversity, role of Roma women in society, intercultural understanding, 2 training sessions „Unity by diversity – me and the other”. A total of 386 persons from vulnerable groups, out of which 70 Roma, have been reached during the information campaigns and seminars. A best practice guide, outlining best social inclusion initiatives, has been drafted and tested in 3 locations: Târgoviște, Moreni, Gura Ocniței. The project contributed to fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders at the level of Dâmbovița County, promotion of social inclusion and anti-discrimination measures and facilitation of access of vulnerable groups to resources, rights and services.
Summary of bilateral results