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Description
The All Together Project strengthens the voice of the local Roma community and its responsibility to address current issues in the ORP Tábor. The capacity of the Roma advisers employed by the city council is increased dramatically. Our aim is 2 full-time positions divided best between representatives of the Roma minority and the Czech majority. Thus, enough elbow room is given for a more consistent solution to areas related to the burning issues of the minority, such as education, unemployment, housing, social exclusion or juvenile delinquency. The advisors collaborate not only with various departments of the municipal authority but also with NGOs, school facilities, the city police, the state police and especially the Roma community itself. They actively participate in group meetings concerning minorities in the framework of community planning. They join the network of other Roma advisers led by a regional Roma coordinator. If such a network does not emerge, they will commit to its creation. They are adequately trained in topics such as social exclusion, legislation related to discrimination and minorities, and the history and culture of the Roma people. They are continuously trained in other topics depending on their previous experience, knowledge and skills. According to the need, they create analysis and make recommendations on particular issues of minority, which they promote within the ORP. They regularly inform the public about the Roma issues in the ORP in cooperation with the city''s press office. They involve various actors from the municipality and also from other institutions or NGOs and the Roma community itself in all analytical or implementation activities. They are supported by the municipality itself and by the partner of this project - Cheiron T - the NGO which has long been active in the field of Roma issues in the city.
Summary of project results
In the Czech Republic, municipalities has Roma advisors who often have minimal hours for Roma community work due to other duties. In Tábor, a project funded two full-time Roma advisors, unique in the South Bohemian region, dedicating all their time to Roma issues. Integrating them into the office and convincing other stakeholders to collaborate was a challenge, successfully met with the help of the project''s partner, Cheiron T.
First, the selection of Roma advisors was crucial. In the activity "Preparation and Selection," the indicator was fulfilled by the hiring of two advisors. These advisors underwent 88 hours of training and three accredited courses during the activity "Education and Training." At the same time, the Roma advisors began meeting with other stakeholders in the city of Tábor and throughout the South Bohemian Region. In the "Networking" activity, the advisors met 10 times with colleagues from the South Bohemian Region and 16 times with colleagues from the Tábor municipality, thus meeting the indicators for this activity. In the subsequent activities, "Analysis, Plans, Concepts, Recommendations," and "Implementation of Measures," an analysis of five areas of life within the Roma community was conducted, and the measures proposed in the analysis were partially implemented. This fulfilled the indicators for the last two activities
Main outcome: two full-time Roma advisors for ORP Tábor, who continue their work even after the project ended. Another outcome: an analysis of the Roma minority situation in Tábor, covering five areas: education, employment, debt, safety and leisure, and housing, with actionable measures for the city to improve the Roma minority''s situation. The project benefits Roma residents, who now have dedicated contacts, and other stakeholders, for whom the advisors are partners.