Description
The project is aimed at monitoring, analysis and evaluation of the work of the authorities of Banská Bystrica region. The project intends to promote civic interest in public affairs and engage citizens to improve the governance at the level of the region. The media campaign will be conducted to promote best practices in the area of Roma inclusion at the regional level, and suggest how these successful practices could be translated into concrete measures at the level of higher territorial units. Additional activities of the project include networking of institutions and organizations to improve coordination of efforts against xenophobia, racism and extremism, as well as educational activities for primary and secondary schools.
Summary of project results
Election of new governor of the Banska Bystrica region who represents extremist and neo-nacist party was consequence of "protest" voting of large part of voters who didn't vote for established politicians. However, his election de-facto legitimized and increased seriousness of his long-term acting and speaking against Roma communities (often it was hate speech). That is why project WatchBBSK focused on monitoring and evaluation of governor's activities and expressions (adding also transparency and coruption in a focus) in order to prevent public against governor's hate speech. Project reached its outcomes which were either to increase sensistivity of public to and to subdue of hate speech and corruption of the regional governer and his office. Project consisted of several components: watchdog of work and communication of the regional administration and its representatives, collecting of experience and opinion of public representatives (mostly mayors) on regional governor, proposing of measures to improve position of Roma communities, networking, awareness raising and campaign targeted to public and to schools. Many outputs were delivered: 3 reports of regional office monitoring, set of 24 events to increase awareness of public, comprehensive network of 22 collaborating organisations and 53 active individuals active in eliminating of hate speech, set of 5 proposals of measures to improve position of Roma, set of educational activities on 7 schools and others. The partner was responsible mostly for education and awareness raising in schools.
Summary of bilateral results