More information
Description
There are currently 239 Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Romania, covering over 95% of Romania''s rural areas and towns with up to 20,000 inhabitants. They implement Local Development Strategies (LDS) throughout Romania worth around €635 million, some 8000 projects. According to World Bank data, most people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Romania live in rural areas. Following a collaboration that started in 2014, FNGAL together with Nevo Parudimos Association and CRPE have developed several initiatives aimed at increasing the inclusion of Roma in rural areas and improving their living conditions.
The project aims to involve the Roma population in the life of the community in order to improve together those aspects that need to perform also for the Roma population.
In this way, Roma communities are seen as equal partners in the planning, implementation and evaluation of LDSs to improve the living conditions of Roma living in rural areas. Through this project we want to train representatives of Roma communities and Roma civil society to become active actors and able to contribute to the realization and implementation of LDS implemented by LAGs. At the same time, we will train the LAG teams to be able to work better with Roma and we will lobby and advocate for the inclusion of Roma-friendly measures in future strategies.
The target group of the project is the Roma communities, as well as non-governmental organisations representing the interests of Roma people in Romania (the project is implemented at national level).
Summary of project results
The project addressed the limited involvement and capacity of Roma civil society in rural Romania to participate as equal partners in decision-making processes within Local Action Groups (GALs). Although GALs have the potential to play a significant role in improving the quality of life for Roma communities through inclusion in Local Development Strategies (SDL), the participation of Roma NGOs and community representatives has been superficial. This is primarily due to a lack of understanding of their role, insufficient capacity, and a lack of clear strategies targeting Roma inclusion at the national level.
To address these challenges, the project delivered targeted capacity-building activities for both Roma representatives and GAL teams. Seven regional training sessions were conducted, involving 420 Roma community and NGO representatives as well as 420 GAL members, with topics such as community development, strategic planning, and advocacy. An impact study analyzing the Local Development Strategies (SDL) from 2014-2020 was produced, alongside a brochure of good practices for promoting inclusion in the LEADER program. Lobby and advocacy efforts included meetings with key stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of European Funds, and a national advocacy event to showcase best practices for Roma inclusion.
As a result of the project, 28 Roma NGOs became members of rural GALs and received guidance on forming a network to amplify their participation. Additionally, 20 targeted measures promoting Roma inclusion were developed for GALs to incorporate into their 2023-2027 strategies. The Federation (FNGAL) established a dedicated Department for Roma Communities, Social Inclusion, and Minorities and adopted a strategy to support the inclusion of Roma and other vulnerable groups.