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Description
The project aims to ensure the inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable people from the ''La Capace'' community in Jilava Commune. The objectives of the project consist in the intercultural development of 40 specialists directly involved in working with the Roma, the decrease of the risk of abandonment for 300 vulnerable children and the improvement of their health status through integrated services, professional development and improvement of the health status for 400 vulnerable adults through integrated services, empowerment by accessing rights, culture and advocacy of adults, Roma children, activists and leaders, especially Roma women and young Roma. At the end of the project, 300 vulnerable children will have benefited from educational and health services, and 400 adults will have benefited from employment and health services, 40 experts will have benefited from intercultural training, 25 Roma activists and leaders will have benefited from advocacy training, 2 anti-discrimination tools will have been developed, and at least 800 Roma will have participated in empowerment workshops/events. The partnership formed by UAT Jilava Commune and Amfiteatru Foundation will ensure access to quality services and sustainable reduction of vulnerabilities of the Roma community in Jilava.
Summary of project results
The project was necessary to address the severe social exclusion, poverty, and discrimination faced by the Roma community in Jilava, particularly in the ‘La Capace’ area. This community struggled with low educational attainment, high school dropout rates, poor employment opportunities, and limited access to essential public services such as healthcare and social assistance. Structural discrimination further deepened their challenges, leaving them with little access to rights and opportunities for a better future.
Children in this community faced educational barriers from an early age. Despite formal school enrollment, many students lacked basic literacy and numeracy skills, leading to high absenteeism and dropout rates. In 2019, national evaluation results at the local school were 0%, highlighting the urgent need for remedial education. Parents, often unemployed or engaged in precarious jobs, lacked the financial resources and knowledge to support their children’s education.
Beyond education, health was another critical issue. Although most residents were officially insured, they rarely accessed medical services, with one-third never undergoing basic medical check-ups. Chronic illnesses and disabilities were widespread, yet healthcare access remained limited due to financial constraints and systemic neglect. Economic hardships also meant that many families could not afford basic necessities, further deepening the cycle of poverty and exclusion.
The project aimed to break this cycle through an integrated approach. It provided remedial education and extracurricular activities for children, parental education and professional development programs for adults, and basic material support linked to participation in project activities. Healthcare services targeted at least 1,000 community members, ensuring they accessed essential medical care.
To combat systemic discrimination, the project also launched awareness campaigns, cultural events, and anti-discrimination materials, while training 40 specialists in intercultural work with Roma communities. Additionally, 25 Roma activists and leaders were empowered to advocate for their rights and drive sustainable change.
The intervention had a long-term impact by focusing on empowerment and non-discrimination. It strengthened the community’s ability to access education, employment, and healthcare while building institutional capacity for inclusive policies. By addressing both immediate needs and systemic barriers, the project laid the foundation for lasting social change and improved quality of life for the Roma in Jilava.
The project implemented a series of integrated activities to improve education, social inclusion, and access to essential services for the Roma community in Jilava.
Educational programs provided essential support for children at risk of school dropout. A remedial education program was developed to help schoolchildren improve their literacy, numeracy, and personal development skills. Preschoolers participated in school readiness activities to prepare them for formal education. All children benefited from a hot meal, which significantly improved school attendance and engagement. Extracurricular and community activities played an important role in fostering social inclusion. These included reading circles, arts and crafts workshops, sports sessions, and civic education activities. A Student Council was formed to empower young Roma leaders and encourage their participation in school decision-making processes.
Parental education and community engagement activities strengthened the involvement of families in their children''s education. Parents participated in sessions that increased their awareness of child development and the importance of school participation. These meetings helped build stronger relationships between schools and families, leading to a more supportive learning environment.
Intercultural training for specialists improved the capacity of professionals working with Roma communities. Forty teachers, social workers, and local authorities received training on cultural diversity and inclusion. The program combined theoretical and practical sessions, including mentorship activities to help participants apply their knowledge in real-life situations.
Access to rights and health services was another key component of the project. More than 400 adults benefited from legal aid and guidance to access social benefits. Healthcare services were provided to adults in need, while support for housing improvements was also offered to vulnerable families.
Awareness and anti-discrimination measures addressed the stigma faced by the Roma community. Public campaigns, cultural events, and training materials helped raise awareness and promote positive narratives about Roma culture and contributions.
The project had immediate results by improving school attendance, reducing dropout rates, and increasing access to education, health, and social services. Education outcomes improved, with more students achieving higher scores in national exams. Parents became more engaged in their children’s education, while trained professionals adopted better approaches for Roma inclusion. By integrating education, empowerment, and social support, the project created sustainable change for the community.
The project significantly improved the lives of Roma people in Jilava by increasing access to education, healthcare, employment, and social inclusion. It helped children stay in school, empowered adults through skills development, and reduced discrimination against the Roma community.
Education outcomes improved for children at risk of school dropout. In 2019, national evaluation results at the local school were 0%. By the end of the project, more than half of eighth-grade students scored above 5 in national exam simulations, with some achieving grades of 8 and 9. School attendance increased due to remedial education programs and the provision of hot meals. Among the 270 schoolchildren and 30 preschoolers involved, absenteeism rates decreased, and fewer students dropped out.
Parents became more engaged in their children’s education. 200 parents participated in training sessions on child development and school involvement. This led to stronger family support for education and better communication with teachers.
Adults benefited from professional development and access to basic services. 400 vulnerable adults received support for employment and health. 80 participated in training programs, increasing their chances of finding stable jobs. Improved access to healthcare helped prevent chronic illnesses from worsening, with 1000 Roma adults benefiting from health services. Housing support improved living conditions for 20 Roma families.
The project strengthened community empowerment. A total of 841 Roma adults benefited from empowerment programs, and 873 Roma individuals received integrated services. 200 Roma adults received training in accessing their rights, and 270 children engaged in leadership activities through the Student Council. A group of 37 Roma activists and leaders, along with two community organizers, were trained in advocacy, ensuring long-term representation for Roma rights.
Anti-discrimination efforts changed public attitudes and increased awareness. 40 specialists, including teachers, social workers, and local authorities, received intercultural training, with 8 of them being Roma. Public events promoting Roma culture reached 1,200 people. The level of acceptance of Roma people by the majority population increased from a baseline score of 7.19 to 8.05..
The project created lasting change by addressing both immediate needs and structural barriers. Children have better chances of completing school, adults gained improved job opportunities, and the community has stronger tools to fight discrimination. By investing in education, health, and empowerment, the project helped Roma families in Jilava break the cycle of poverty and exclusion.