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Description
The project focused on addressing outdated perceptions within Roma communities, particularly concerning the role of women and early marriage, while also challenging stereotypes held by the wider society. Its goal was to raise awareness, encourage reflection, and promote communication to foster mutual understanding and social progress. The project was implemented in the municipalities of Agia Varvara and Ilida, both of which have significant Roma populations and extensive experience working with this target group. The selection of these municipalities was intentional, as they are home to large Roma communities and possess significant expertise in addressing their needs. Roma ombudsmen from the Roma branches of the Community Centres in these municipalities served as mediators with the Roma community, while the municipalities acted as a bridge for communication with the local population. Additionally, the Municipal Equality Committees in both municipalities ensured the sustainability of the project and laid the groundwork for the creation of a network of inter-municipal cooperation in the regions of Attica and Western Greece.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key challenges faced by Roma women within their communities. One of the most pressing issues was the under-representation of Roma women in decision-making processes, both within their communities and in the wider societal context. This lack of representation often leads to the marginalisation of their voices and, as a result, the needs and perspectives of Roma women are often overlooked in policies and community development initiatives. In addition, Roma women face unique social and economic challenges, such as limited access to education, health care and employment opportunities. These inequalities are exacerbated by societal discrimination and traditional gender roles within many Roma communities, which can limit women''s autonomy and opportunities for empowerment. As a result, there was an urgent need to better understand these dynamics and to explore how Roma women perceive and experience their roles within their communities.
One of the main challenges during the implementation of the project was a delay in communication with the municipalities, which affected the organisation of the workshops. The Greek local elections on 8 October 2023, followed by by-elections on 15 October, created a period of uncertainty and transition within the local government structures. The main lesson from this experience is the importance of proactive communication and flexibility in project management, particularly in contexts affected by political change. Engaging with municipal officials early in the process and building strong relationships can help mitigate delays caused by external factors such as elections. To address the challenge of delays in communication with municipalities during the project implementation, we established relationships with multiple stakeholders within the municipalities. This included engaging with individuals in administrative roles who are less likely to be affected by electoral changes. By doing so, we ensured continuity of communication and project support, enabling us to navigate the complexities of the electoral period more effectively.
The rationale for the project was rooted in the belief that addressing these challenges could have a transformative impact not only on Roma women but on Roma communities as a whole. By creating a platform for Roma women to share their perspectives and experiences, the project sought to shed light on the unique challenges they face, while identifying opportunities for empowerment and leadership. The project also recognised the importance of gender equality as a driver of social change and community development. Engaging Roma women in meaningful dialogue about their roles within their communities had the potential to stimulate targeted interventions that could improve their access to resources and decision-making spaces. This, would help to foster more inclusive communities where Roma women are not only heard but actively shape their future.
The project is closely aligned with the objectives of the EEA Grants Programme, which aims to promote social inclusion, reduce economic disparities and strengthen cooperation between European countries. In particular, the programme emphasises the need to support vulnerable groups, such as ethnic minorities and women, and to promote gender equality and empowerment. By focusing on the empowerment of Roma women, the project directly addressed these objectives. It contributed to promoting social inclusion by amplifying the voices of Roma women and addressing the systemic barriers they face. In addition, the project''s emphasis on promoting dialogue and understanding between different stakeholders - Roma women, community leaders and policy-makers - was in line with EEA Grants'' commitment to strengthening civil society and fostering cooperation to create lasting social change.
EEA Grants funding was sought because the project''s objectives - promoting gender equality, empowering Roma women and supporting community development - were perfectly aligned with the programme''s overarching goals. The expected impact of the project included not only a better understanding of the roles and challenges faced by Roma women, but also the development of policies and interventions that could lead to long-term empowerment and social inclusion.
Work Package 1: Management, Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation.The period from May to August 2023 was devoted to preparing project partners for implementation and updating the Municipalities of Agia Varvara and Ilida. On June 29, 2023, the project’s kick-off meeting was held with participants from the project teams of the Centre for European Constitutional Law – Themistocles and Dimitris Tsatsos Foundation (CECL) and EETAA (Hellenic Agency for Local Development and Local Government). An informational event followed on July 14, 2023, at the Municipality of Agia Varvara, attended by representatives from the municipality and project partners.
Work Package 2: Organization of Practical Workshops in Local Roma Communities. During the reporting period, the project coordinator (KESC) organized practical workshops in both Attica (Municipality of Agia Varvara) and Western Greece (Municipality of Ilida). The workshops were successfully conducted, meeting the required participant numbers.
Work Package 3: EETAA, as a project partner, organized practical workshops in Attica and Western Greece during the reporting period, all of which successfully met participant expectations.
Work Package 4: Awareness and Sensitization Campaign. Under Work Package 4, the project logo, D4.3: Poster, and D4.4: Leaflet were developed. EETAA completed d4.5: Public Discourse Workshop Toolkit, and 500 copies of the brochure were produced as per contract specifications.
The project aimed to address several critical challenges affecting Roma communities, in particular the marginalised status of Roma women. According to the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Social Integration of Roma 2021-2030, Roma communities in Greece are often isolated, living in areas of severe deprivation and with limited access to basic services. This isolation leads to marginalisation, prejudice and discrimination, which has a significant impact on their ability to integrate into wider society. Roma women in particular face additional barriers due to entrenched gender norms and traditions, such as early marriage, which limit their freedom of choice and opportunities for education, employment and social participation. The double discrimination faced by Roma women, based on both their gender and ethnic identity, exacerbates their social exclusion. Not only are these women marginalised in the wider society, but they also experience internal discrimination within their own communities due to traditional views on gender roles. These challenges contribute to a cycle of poverty and exclusion that is exacerbated by limited access to public services and support systems that could help empower them. The project also emphasised the importance of involving non-Roma women in local communities. By promoting dialogue and cooperation between Roma and non-Roma women, the initiative sought to build solidarity and challenge stereotypes that perpetuate social exclusion. The workshops organised as part of the project aimed to create a safe space for discussions on gender equality, with a view to raising awareness and promoting inclusive communities. In addition, local municipalities played a key role in the project, using their proximity to the communities they serve. Through continuous monitoring and coordination, they were able to tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of their local populations. The role of local authorities in the project was crucial as they were best placed to understand and respond to the needs of Roma communities within their jurisdictions. By addressing the intersection of ethnicity and gender-based discrimination, the project supports the programme’s objectives of fostering social inclusion and empowerment of marginalized groups. It also contributes to the National Action Plan for Gender Equality 2021-2025, which calls for the elimination of gender-based inequalities and the promotion of equal opportunities in all areas of life.
The project delivered a range of specific, measurable outputs, focusing on empowering Roma women and raising public awareness about anti-Roma discrimination. These outputs were achieved through a combination of workshops, media campaigns, and community outreach activities, leading to broad engagement both online and offline. Through an outreach strategy and on-the-ground activities, the project reached 2,837 Roma women, primarily via social media platforms. This figure reflects engagement metrics, where project-related content was disseminated. In-person workshops held in Agia Varvara and Ilida complemented this online presence by facilitating deeper engagement and discussion around gender roles, social inclusion, and the rights of Roma women. The project successfully organized 12 awareness-raising campaigns to challenge anti-Roma stereotypes and foster inclusion. These campaigns involved a combination of in-person workshops, media outreach, and digital content distributed through press releases, newsletters, and social media posts. Each campaign was designed to target both Roma and non-Roma communities, highlighting the importance of gender equality, solidarity, and mutual respect. Additionally, public discourse workshops engaged local media, amplifying the campaign’s messages to a wider audience.
As part of the project''s awareness-raising campaign, three short one-minute videos were produced to showcase the diverse roles that Roma and non-Roma women play in their communities. By highlighting success stories, these videos illustrated how women juggle family responsibilities, careers and social engagement, effectively breaking down stereotypes and presenting them as integral members of society. Designed for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, the videos reached a wide audience, particularly among young people, and stimulated discussions about gender equality and the empowerment of Roma women. This digital strategy increased the visibility of the project, engaging thousands of people and extending its impact beyond the initial participants. A 20-second TV spot was also produced to challenge stereotypes about Roma women. Featuring community members and role models, the spot aimed to change perceptions and was broadcast as a public service message on national and regional television networks in Attica and Western Greece. This strategic use of television, along with positive portrayals of Roma women, increased public understanding of their diverse contributions and highlighted their potential for active social and economic participation. To further extend the reach of the campaign, two public discourse workshops were organised for media professionals in Attica and Western Greece. These workshops, led by social workers, lawyers and educators, equipped journalists with the knowledge to promote the inclusion and empowerment of Roma women in their reporting. Participants became multipliers of the project''s messages, ensuring that Roma women''s voices were heard and their stories widely disseminated. This collaboration fostered a network of informed media professionals, helping to shift the narrative around Roma women from negative stereotypes to a more inclusive and empowering portrayal. By sharing the lessons learned from the workshops, journalists contributed to the sustained impact of the campaign across different media platforms.