More information
Description
The Roma people are among the most marginalized groups in the educational system and labor market (Program for Roma Integration in Poland for 2014-2020. Best Practices, E. Mirga-Wójtowicz). Integration mechanisms are accessible in the Polish education system (Roma Education Assistant), but knowledge of these systems is not sufficiently disseminated within the Roma community or local government authorities. In most places, REAs are not employed at all or are insufficient in number (Kraków – three people per 180 children). Most Roma people do not speak Polish at a level enabling them to attend training involving specific, for example legal, terminology. This project aims to enhance awareness among the Roma community of their rights and their ability to enforce them, devise a training model suitable for their language level and Roma cultural norms, and create a support network around the Roma community. We will collect and produce materials on legal and administrative solutions and case studies (extensive interviews with Roma Education Assistants and local government officials in the school community). We will hold workshops to improve competencies of Roma leaders (legal solutions, promoting cooperation, building alliances and coalitions) and workshops (in six locations) on self-advocacy and coalition-building for those leaders and those around them. Two books on best practices will be produced, describing the available legal mechanisms and how they can be used to combat exclusion of Roma people, for the Roma community and local government authorities. Fourteen Roma community leaders from throughout Poland will improve their competences, 45 people will undergo self-advocacy training, and 90 (including 45 non-Roma people) will be trained on coalition-building and effective cooperation. The partner - Łaźnia Radomski Klub Środowisk Twórczych and Galeria - will participate in creating a book for local government authorities and assist with coalition-building workshops.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of Roma exclusion from various areas of social life, including the education system and the labour market. Long-term exclusion and stigmatisation results in alienation and helplessness, which affect not only adults but also children. Tools to support inclusion, such as Roma Teaching Assistants, are available in the Polish education system, but knowledge of them is not sufficiently widespread either among the Roma community or among local authorities (e.g. in Krakow alone, where 180 Roma children are educated, only three people are employed in this role). At the same time, the majority of Roma do not speak Polish to such an extent that they are able to use Polish-language materials on their rights and to make practical use of available legal solutions.
As part of the project, Roma leaders took part in workshops to improve their leadership competences. Then, together with representatives of local government and aid institutions, they participated in workshops on self-advocacy, coalition building and effective cooperation between the Roma community, local government administration and NGOs (6 workshops in Warsaw, Radom and Krakow). Two books of good practices were also produced describing the available legal mechanisms and how they can be used in counteracting Roma exclusion - one addressed to the Roma community and the other to local governments.
In total, 14 Roma community leaders from all over Poland have improved their leadership competences and 45 individuals have been prepared to work as self-advocates. These individuals are more familiar with their own rights and know how to effectively enforce them, how to build support networks and talk to representatives of various local government institutions. At the same time, 45 people working in local government increased their knowledge of the Roma community and of good practices to counteract Roma exclusion. As many as 90 people from different communities were trained in coalition building and effective cooperation. The project also enabled Roma from different parts of Poland to network and strengthen ties. Local Roma anti-exclusion coalitions made up of Roma and local allies have also been formed in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Kraków, Jasło, Elbląg and Mazovia.