Inclusion through ethnic diversity

Description

The project "Inclusion through ethnic diversity" aims to increase the level of social justice and social inclusion for vulnerable people in rural interethnic communities, especially the Roma minority. In order to increase their ability to know and demand their rights, promote equal access and improve the situation of the Roma community in Romania, it is necessary to develop improved models of social services to cover the existing discrepancies and to respond to the specific needs identified in the community. For achieving this goal, a complex and integrated approach to the identified problems is needed. In this way, the project aims to provide social services such as counseling children, young people and families, educational support for children and young people, elementary and hygienic health, learning through non-formal and extracurricular activities. One of the most important elements in fulfilling the scope of the project is informing the beneficiaries about their rights, encouraging them to be an active actor when it comes to the participatory involvement of vulnerable communities in the consultation and in the decision making process, making authorities consider their opinions on policies that directly concern the Roma community and not only.

Summary of project results

The project "Inclusion through ethnic diversity" aims to increase the level of social justice and social inclusion for vulnerable people in rural interethnic communities, especially the Roma minority. In order to increase their ability to know and demand their rights, promote equal access and improve the situation of the Roma community in Romania, it is necessary to develop improved models of social services to cover the existing discrepancies and to respond to the specific needs identified in the community. For achieving this goal, a complex and integrated approach to the identified problems is needed. In this way, the project aims to provide social services such as counselling children, young people and families, educational support for children and young people, elementary and hygienic health, learning through non-formal and extracurricular activities. One of the most important elements in fulfilling the scope of the project is informing the beneficiaries about their rights, encouraging them to be an active actor when it comes to the participatory involvement of vulnerable communities in the consultation and in the decision making process, making authorities consider their opinions on policies that directly concern the Roma community and not only.

Between March 2022 and February 2024 the activities of the project "Inclusion through ethnic diversity" were implemented, involving the beneficiaries in education, information, advocacy, health and hygiene, counselling and psycho-pedagogical activities. Educational, psycho-pedagogical and counselling activities continued daily in a safe environment and in an organized manner, established in advance. Hygiene and sanitary activities proved to be basic, supported by information and prevention activities. An important objective was the advocacy campaign, carried out in partnership with the community and 10 other civil society representatives, which led to the establishment of the Tufanu School. The particular importance of this initiative is that 45 children no longer have to cross 12 km of forest to go to school. The health and disease prevention campaigns in the two communities are also worth mentioning and have changed the attitude of the community towards health services. As far as education is concerned, there has been a reduction in school drop-out and absenteeism, so we have had no cases of school drop-out and absenteeism has been reduced by 74% among children in the two centres. The sustainability of the project was approached through two aspects, namely qualitative and quantitative-financial. Regarding the first aspect, we have created methodologies for each activity. The results of the final evaluation showed the impact of the project during these two years on the issues addressed: -reduction of school drop-out and absenteeism -increased knowledge of the population on human rights, child protection -increasing knowledge on prevention of bullying -involvement in children''s education and support for formal and non-formal education -increasing community capacity to assess and address community issue

Regarding progress, the final evaluation has obvious conclusions: . The analysis of the results shows an increase of almost 80% in knowledge and the formation of positive perceptions towards the educational, community and participation aspects inserted in the questionnaire for adults. Even if we are not talking about a total change in perception, we can undoubtedly observe a beginning of change, but which must be continued through information, counseling and community involvement activities. In many aspects such as human rights, social and community responsibility, there have been practically reversals of the percentages after two years of information sessions, counseling, support groups and community involvement. Adherence to fundamental human rights is evident among adults and we have a jump from 29% to almost 80%. We also find similar percentages in social responsibility or participation. Attitude towards education - 76% of respondents have a positive attitude and consider school important compared to the answers of 2 years ago when 36% had such an attitude, knowledge about child/human rights - the percentage increased and was nominated in the questionnaire by 75% of respondents at least one right, compared to 12% two years ago, trust in social services increased, thus over 70% would call on social services in case of need, compared to 12% two years ago. It is worth noting in the final evaluation the decrease in responses marked with 9 (I don''t know) by more than 50% compared to the initial evaluation. In the evaluation carried out by adults, some concerns remain, mentioned above and which must be addressed in the future. For 91% of the children participating in the activities, an educational improvement was found according to the tests applied at the beginning and end of the project, an improvement that resulted from the achievement of the objectives was achieved