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Description
The project’s team of experts organized discussions and awareness-raising activities on perinatal care and parenting. Counseling sessions addressed issues such as gender equality, gender-based violence, the importance of education for children and youth, early marriages, and school dropout prevention. Parents of babies and toddlers up to two years old received guidance on infant nutrition and parenting. Additionally, a creative play space for toddlers was established in Drosero, Xanthi. Youth groups were also formed to develop mentors from within the community who would work to address and resolve long-standing issues affecting the Roma population.Throughout the initiative, events and informational meetings were held with institutions, schools, universities, NGOs, and the non-Roma population. These efforts aimed to disseminate results and break down stereotypes, fostering interaction and collaboration within the communities and promoting smoother social inclusion.
Summary of project results
Main challenges in the implementation of these activities included:
A. Cultural Sensitivity and Trust: Engaging Roma communities, especially when addressing sensitive topics like gender-based violence or early marriage, initially met with resistance due to deep-rooted cultural norms. Building trust and ensuring culturally appropriate interventions proved challenging.
B. Participation and Engagement: Securing consistent participation in women’s and youth groups was difficult at first, particularly because of logistical barriers such as transportation and childcare.
The activities of the project are divided into those targeting Roma populations (within intervention settlements) and non-Roma populations (in neighboring areas), as well as based on age groups, with actions specifically targeting women, youth, and preschool children. Overall, 414 Roma individuals were empowered through the project''s actions, of whom 252 were women and adolescent girls. Specifically:
- Groups for Roma Women and Adolescents
Ten groups of Roma women and adolescents were formed, and 90 sessions were implemented in all intervention areas. These groups were based on the successful model of "women''s safe spaces" by SolidarityNow, which has been effectively applied in refugee reception centers and Roma settlements such as Pelekas and Dendropotamos. The aim was socialization, skill development, violence prevention, and psychosocial support through participatory and creative activities. A key role was played by the coordinator and the intercultural mediator, ensuring that sensitive issues such as marriage and gender-based violence were addressed.
- Creative Activities for Children
To enable women to participate in the groups, creative activities were organized for preschool children. These aimed both to provide access to the groups for mothers and to encourage child development in preparation for kindergarten.
- Mentorship Program for Roma Youth
A mentorship program for 63 Roma youth was implemented, coordinated by two mentors who acted as role models highlighting the value of education. The program included 42 experiential activities, workshops on human rights and leadership skills, storytelling, audiovisual content creation, and participation in conferences and study visits.
- Awareness-Raising Actions for Non-Roma Populations
Ten awareness-raising actions were conducted online and in person in areas near Roma settlements, aimed at combating exclusion. These included three large-scale public events, six stories/interviews/articles to raise public awareness, and one short video featuring stories of Roma youth.
Finally, two guidebooks were published: one on the Mentoring Program for Roma Youth and another for Roma Adolescent Girls and Women.
The Dendropotamos, Drosero, and Pelekas Roma communities in Greece face significant socio-economic challenges that necessitate immediate attention and financial intervention. These areas are characterized by extreme poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and limited access to basic public infrastructure such as schools, healthcare, and proper housing. High levels of marginalization, coupled with issues like domestic violence, teenage marriages, and dependency on social welfare, further deepen the cycle of exclusion. In Pelekas, isolation and the absence of infrastructure exacerbate these challenges, with children often dropping out of school early. Financing is critical to address these entrenched issues, promote education, improve living conditions, and break the cycle of poverty and social marginalization. Addressing these challenges will not only improve the quality of life for Roma communities but also foster social cohesion and inclusion within the broader society.
The proposed project aligns closely with the objectives of the EEA Grants programme, which aims to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthen bilateral relations between donor and beneficiary states. The initiative targets some of the most marginalized communities in Greece, addressing critical issues such as poverty, exclusion, and lack of access to education and essential services—key priorities for the EEA Grants. By focusing on improving living conditions, increasing educational participation, and fostering social inclusion for the Roma populations in Dendropotamos, Drosero, and Pelekas, the project directly contributes to the EEA Grants'' broader goal of fostering social cohesion and reducing inequalities. Additionally, it supports the programme''s commitment to promoting human rights, combating discrimination, and empowering vulnerable groups, ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities across society.
Specific, Measurable Results: Formation of 10 groups for Roma women and adolescents, leading to 90 structured sessions across intervention areas.
Participation of 414 Roma individuals, including 252 women and adolescent girls, in empowerment activities.
Implementation of 42 experiential activities and leadership workshops as part of the mentorship program for 63 Roma youth.
Organization of 10 awareness-raising actions targeting non-Roma populations, including 3 large-scale public events and 6 media stories to promote social inclusion.
Publication of 2 guidebooks: one for the Mentoring Program for Roma Youth and another for Roma Adolescent Girls and Women, used as educational resources.
Outcome-Level Results: Increased socialization, skill development, and psychosocial support for Roma women and adolescent girls, contributing to the prevention of gender-based violence and early marriages.
Enhanced educational awareness and leadership skills among Roma youth, fostering a culture of education and personal development within the community.
Improved service accessibility and social integration for Roma communities, particularly through creative child activities and support for mothers, which helped prepare preschool children for kindergarten.
Increased awareness and understanding among non-Roma populations about Roma culture, rights, and challenges, leading to reduced discrimination and social exclusion.