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Description
"Together for an inclusive school" is an initiative of CENRES to address the problems of school segregation in Timpoceni village, Suceava county and to empower members of the interethnic community to be actively involved in the decision-making process regarding access of Roma children to inclusive, quality education. According to the needs analysis, Roma residents face social and economic marginalization - low employability, school and residential segregation, absenteeism, extremely low graduation rate in the eighth grade and low access to specialized medical services. One of the priority areas for civil and non-governmental initiatives is equitable education and access to inclusive, quality education for all children: according to MO no. 6134/2016 (shorturl.at/grH89), the school becomes an environment in which “all children are respected and integrated without discrimination and exclusion due to ethnic origin or mother tongue, socio-economic status of families, residency or school performance of the primary beneficiaries of education". The project coagulates, empowers and increases the capacity of a Local Initiative Group for an Inclusive School (LIGIS) as influencer in human education and health for children and women: remedial activities , intercultural events, medical services for members of the Roma community. All these LIGIS initiatives finally bring together the Timpoceni community and have essential contribution in braking the isolation of the Roma population, as well as in reducing differences between this vulnerable group and the majority.
Summary of project results
The intervention was crucial in Timpoceni, a sub-community in Suceava County, where 340 people, predominantly Roma, live in poverty. Over 80% of the Roma population lacks access to agricultural land, leaving seasonal agricultural work and migration as their primary sources of income. Young people in the community struggle to find employment due to insufficient education or professional qualifications. The situation for women, particularly young mothers, is even more dire. Early school dropout rates are high due to early pregnancies, with young mothers lacking material and moral support to care for their children and keep them in school.
The project implemented a multi-faceted approach to support inclusive education and community engagement. A Local Initiative Group for Inclusive Education (GILSI) was formed in Timpoceni, comprising 10 active members who played a central role in community mobilization. The group held eight community meetings and six technical assistance sessions to develop a Local Inclusive Education Strategy.
To directly support Roma students, weekly remedial education sessions were organized for 44 children as part of a “school after school” program. Cultural cohesion activities, including three “living library” events and three intercultural mentoring sessions, promoted understanding and collaboration among community members.
The project also addressed health and hygiene issues by organizing three awareness campaigns, distributing 15 kits for mothers and children, and 50 hygiene kits. Chronic health problems in the community were documented to guide targeted support
This project matters because it tackled systemic barriers to education, employment, and social inclusion in a vulnerable Roma community. By creating sustainable frameworks like the Local Inclusive Education Strategy and mobilizing local stakeholders, the project not only addressed immediate needs but also laid the groundwork for long-term progress.
The educational and health-related interventions have improved the well-being of children and families while fostering a sense of community resilience. The increased social cohesion and awareness will have lasting impacts, empowering marginalized groups to actively participate in their own development and creating a pathway to a more inclusive and equitable future.