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Description
The project aims to increase the inclusion of Roma in two vulnerable communities from Constanta and Calarasi counties by providing integrated services, empowerment activities and actions against discrimination. The main component of the project aims to increase access to quality, integrated services of social assistance, education, employment, health and housing for 800 Roma people from municipality of Medgidia and from Galbinasi commune. The services provided will be: counselling and support for access to goods, services and benefits and for obtaining identity documents, remedial education, non-formal education, parental education, mediation for accessing the labour market etc. Roma children and parents will be provided with psychological counselling, while the communities themselves will be targeted by awareness raising campaigns on human rights.
The second component will foster the active participation of the Roma: 300 women, young people and experts and leaders will be encouraged to take part in the decision making process in the community that they live in. The empowerment activities will be based around developing a Guide for accessing goods, services and benefits, combating discrimination and community facilitation.
The third component of the project aims to promote respect for Roma rights among 230 specialists and volunteers in the fields of education, health, employment, social services, public administration, NGO sector and 1500 community members belonging to the majority population living in the project counties. To achieve this, the project will provide specific campaigns aimed at institutions and organizations which provide services to Roma people. Trainings on developing skills for specialists and volunteers in recognizing and combating discrimination against Roma will also be provided.
Summary of project results
The project addressed severe social and economic exclusion in the Roma communities of Gălbinași (Călărași) and Barăci Nord (Medgidia, Constanța). Many Roma families in these areas faced poverty, poor housing conditions, lack of education, high unemployment, and limited access to healthcare. Over 81% of households in Barăci were at risk of poverty, and in Gălbinași, around 600 Roma families lacked property documents, which prevented them from securing stable housing and services.
Education was a major issue. Many Roma children in both communities were at risk of dropping out, as their families could not afford school supplies or meals. In Barăci, 47.9% of households had adults who never attended school, while many children needed homework support, educational activities, and vocational guidance. Adults also struggled with low education levels, which limited their job opportunities.
Employment was another challenge. In Gălbinași, 70% of Roma men worked informally in Bucharest, without legal contracts or social benefits. In Barăci, 81.7% of working-age residents were inactive, and 29.6% of young people (16-24 years) were neither employed nor in education. There were no career counseling or job mediation services available in either community.
Healthcare access was also limited. In Gălbinași, there was only one family doctor and no dentist, and people visited the doctor only in emergencies. Some residents were still registered with doctors in Bucharest, limiting their access to healthcare. In Barăci, people had to walk 1.3 km to the nearest medical facility, and over 18% of households had a disabled person without access to medical treatment. There was also a high rate of unplanned pregnancies and low awareness of reproductive health.
The project implemented integrated interventions in education, employment, healthcare, and anti-discrimination. To improve education, children received homework support, school materials, and meals, while parents were guided on how to support their children’s education. These activities helped reduce dropout rates and increase school participation.
To increase employment opportunities, the project provided career counseling and vocational training for Roma adults. This helped many people understand the labor market and improve their chances of finding stable jobs.
Healthcare services were expanded, ensuring more children were registered with family doctors. The project also promoted preventive healthcare, including vaccination awareness and reproductive health education for Roma women, helping them make informed decisions about their health.
The project also worked to reduce discrimination. Awareness campaigns helped Roma individuals understand their rights, while training for public service professionals improved institutional support for Roma communities.
The project "Integrated Services for Roma Inclusion (SIR)" was implemented in Medgidia (Constanța County) and Gălbinași (Călărași County) to address the social exclusion, poverty, and lack of access to education, employment, and healthcare among Roma communities. The project provided integrated support services and successfully improved access to education, vocational training, healthcare, and social services for hundreds of beneficiaries.
The project identified and registered 1,384 Roma individuals in the target communities, ensuring their access to tailored support programs. Public awareness campaigns reached more than 1,000 people, informing them about available services. Printed materials, community meetings, and online campaigns helped engage local institutions and residents.
In education, the project provided remedial learning programs for 324 Roma children, helping them catch up on school subjects and improve their academic performance. These students received daily hot meals, which encouraged regular attendance. Club reading sessions and thematic excursions engaged over 250 children, making learning more interactive and enjoyable. Parental education programs benefited 281 parents, guiding them on child development, education, and positive parenting strategies.
In employment, the project provided career counseling and vocational training to 231 Roma individuals, developing professional skills in fields such as commerce and hairstyling. A total of 71 individuals successfully secured formal jobs, exceeding the initial target. Job mediation services connected beneficiaries with employers, and training programs improved their chances of securing stable employment.
In healthcare, the project helped 242 Roma individuals access medical evaluations, preventive healthcare programs, and counseling on healthy living. A dedicated campaign focused on vaccination, hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. The project also supported 57 Roma individuals with psychological counseling, helping children and parents deal with emotional and social challenges. Additionally, 25 Roma individuals received assistance in obtaining identity documents, ensuring access to social and health services.
The project successfully improved the inclusion of Roma communities in Medgidia and Gălbinași by increasing access to education, employment, healthcare, and social services. It directly benefited over 1,384 Roma individuals, empowering them to participate actively in social and economic life.
In education, 324 Roma children received remedial learning support, helping them improve school performance and reduce dropout rates. Daily hot meals and extracurricular activities, such as reading clubs and excursions, kept students engaged. Parental education programs benefited 281 parents, strengthening their role in their children''s education. Compared to the initial situation, where many children lacked educational support, school attendance and learning motivation increased significantly.
In employment, 231 Roma individuals participated in vocational training and career counseling. Many gained skills in fields like commerce and hairstyling, and 71 individuals secured formal jobs. Previously, most Roma men worked informally, without contracts or social benefits. The project helped beneficiaries transition to stable employment, reducing dependency on social assistance.
Healthcare services reached 242 Roma individuals, providing medical evaluations, preventive health education, and psychological counseling. Awareness campaigns improved vaccination rates, hygiene practices, and nutrition knowledge. Over 25 individuals received help in obtaining identity documents, enabling access to medical and social services. These interventions significantly improved healthcare access in communities where medical services were previously scarce.
The project also promoted anti-discrimination and civic participation. More than 230 professionals and volunteers were trained on Roma rights and social inclusion. Awareness campaigns reached 1,500 members of the majority population, improving attitudes toward Roma communities. Women and young people were empowered to take part in decision-making, increasing their ability to advocate for their rights.
The long-term impact of the project includes higher school retention, better job opportunities, improved health conditions, and greater social participation among Roma families. By providing integrated services and strengthening local institutions, the project contributed to breaking the cycle of poverty and exclusion.