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Description
The project aims to provide complex services: remedial and non-formal education for 200 children at risk of dropping out of school or in a situation of school failure, qualification courses and professional counseling for 120 young people, parental counseling for 100 parents, counseling for accessing social rights, including legal assistance for 335 people in vulnerable situation, empowerment sessions for 25 young Roma, training for 15 teachers and 15 Roma experts, support for improving the living conditions for 30 Roma families affected by severe poverty, as well as health education. The total size of the target group is 810 people, of which 640 are Roma (80%). The partnership includes a civil society NGO - Association "FDP – Protagonists in Education" - and a local public authority - UAT Ludesti Commune, formed for the successful implementation of the project, the parties being actively involved in these communities and during the sustainability period.
Summary of project results
The project was necessary to address the severe social exclusion and poverty affecting the Roma community in Ludesti, Dambovita. The community faced multiple vulnerabilities, including low education levels, high unemployment, poor living conditions, and limited access to healthcare and social services. Many families relied on seasonal or informal work, while social assistance was often the main source of income. School dropout rates were high, especially among girls, due to early marriages and a lack of role models in education and employment. The situation was further worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which deepened economic hardship and limited access to online education.
The project aimed to improve social inclusion through integrated services in education, healthcare, employment, and housing. A key focus was supporting Roma children and youth, particularly girls, by enhancing school participation and strengthening collaboration between teachers, parents, and local institutions. Teacher training and the involvement of Roma experts helped improve the quality of education and reduce dropout rates, leading to a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
The initiative also promoted community partnerships by engaging relevant actors in service delivery, ensuring that beneficiaries received comprehensive and sustainable support. The model developed through the project has high replicability, offering a framework for scaling up interventions in other marginalized communities. Additionally, Roma experts from other areas were trained to facilitate knowledge exchange and encourage similar initiatives across the county.
By providing skills development, career counseling, and access to vocational training, the project empowered young Roma to pursue stable employment and economic independence. Active participation of Roma beneficiaries was a core principle, ensuring that their voices were heard and that solutions were tailored to their needs.
In the long run, the project contributed to breaking the cycle of poverty and exclusion by increasing school attendance, improving job prospects, and fostering stronger community ties. Its impact extends beyond direct beneficiaries, creating a more inclusive and collaborative approach to addressing social inequalities in Ludesti.
The project focused on improving the social inclusion and opportunities of the Roma community in Ludesti, Dambovita, by providing services in key areas such as education, employment, social services, and healthcare. The project aimed to address several critical needs and achieve tangible results for its beneficiaries.
For education, the project provided remedial education and non-formal education activities for 200 children in primary and secondary school, helping prevent school dropout and academic failure. Additionally, parental education sessions were organized to engage parents and enhance their support for their children’s education. Teachers were trained in methods to work with students at risk of leaving school, improving the overall quality of education and fostering a more inclusive environment.
In terms of employment, the project trained 120 young people in skills that are highly demanded by employers in the region. These qualifications helped increase their employability and provided them with better opportunities to enter the labor market. The project also offered career counseling services, helping these young individuals navigate the job market and secure stable employment.
To improve access to rights and basic services, the project provided counseling and social assistance to 335 people, ensuring they were better informed about their rights to education, healthcare, social benefits, and employment. This increased their access to services and improved their ability to navigate public systems.
For health education, the project reached 350 children and young people through health awareness sessions, promoting healthy behaviors and giving them the tools to make better health choices, which is especially important in the context of a marginalized community.
Finally, the project aimed to empower the Roma community by training 25 young Roma and 15 Roma experts in community mobilization and advocacy, enabling them to take action on behalf of their community’s interests. This capacity-building effort aimed to increase the community’s ability to organize and advocate for their rights and needs.
In the short term, the project significantly improved access to education, vocational training, healthcare, and social services for the Roma in Ludesti. Over time, these activities are expected to lead to increased motivation, higher aspirations, and greater community engagement, as Roma individuals will have better access to the tools and opportunities necessary for personal and community development.
The project brought lasting change to the Roma community in Ludesti by addressing deep social and economic challenges. Through education, employment, healthcare, and social services, it helped remove barriers to inclusion and gave Roma individuals the tools to build a better future.
In education, more children stayed in school, and fewer dropped out. Teachers improved their ability to support students at risk, and parents became more engaged in their children’s learning. Over time, this will lead to a greater number of young people continuing their studies and gaining better opportunities for employment.
In employment, young people gained practical skills that made it easier for them to find stable jobs. By training in professions that employers needed, they had a stronger chance of securing formal work. As more members of the community will enter the job market, families will experience greater financial stability, and others will be encouraged to seek similar opportunities.
Access to essential services also improved. More families received social support, gained better knowledge of their rights, and accessed education, healthcare, and legal employment. Health education encouraged positive habits, helping to prevent illness and improve well-being in the community.
Beyond these individual changes, the project strengthened the Roma community as a whole. A group of young people and local experts were trained to take leadership roles, advocate for their rights, and organize initiatives to benefit their community. Their involvement ensures that the impact of the project continues beyond its initial implementation.
The approach used in Ludesti can be replicated in other communities facing similar challenges. Local institutions, schools, and community leaders now have a model for collaboration that can improve social inclusion in the long run. As a result, the project has created a foundation for ongoing development, encouraging more Roma individuals to actively participate in education, employment, and community life.