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Description
The project focuses on several activities combating the major challenges of social integration in the Gemer region by creating a pair of Centres of Renewal, creating a tool rental system, investing in the quality of education in its preschool kindergarten and elementary school, reopening the community centre in Plešivec to help the local and neighbouring communities, providing professional training in activities and skills required for the labour market, career counselling for children, craft courses for the public. The project partners specialize in intercultural mediation and the involvement of local communities in the planning and implementation of small community improvement projects. They will bring their knowledge of local communities as well as methods of working with communities. The project fights against cross-cutting forms of discrimination that clients have to face. It combats discrimination in a fundamental way by providing access to new services and strengthening existing services. Thanks to the work of the organization, people of all nationalities understand each other better and are motivated to revise their prejudices. The Roma have key roles at all levels of the project, which in particular strengthens local empowerment.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address two main issues: the problem of unemployment and low social status among the marginalized Roma communities (MRC) of the Gemer region of Slovakia, as well as the dilapidated built infrastructure of the same region, including locations of cultural heritage. The project aimed to give a common response to these two problems by training unemployed people from MRCs to physically renew these locations.
The main component of the project were the two so-called Centres of Renewal in Bátka and Plešivec. These were the homes to our renewal teams staffed by people from MRCs. Apart from this main activity, the centres also hosted a free tool borrowing point, a tourist’s information centre and a workshop for wooden roof tiles. All of these were staffed by MRC members as well.
Beyond the centres, we had multiple regional partners. The Plešivec municipality renewed the functioning of its community centre aimed at MRCs. The Radnovce municipality introduced all-day learning schemes for its children in the kindergarten and elementary school. The PURT organization worked directly from the Centres of Renewal, running the tool rental component.
The main direct beneficiaries of the project were the employees of the partner organizations – 17 in total, mostly people from local MRCs. They were trained in new competences and could use those competences to improve the municipalities that they live in.
The indirect main beneficiary were the municipalities of the southern Gemer region. The teams created smaller and larger renewal interventions in the 20+ municipalities in the region, renewing public wells, parks, cultural centres, municipal offices, educational facilities, sacral monuments and so on. The results of the work will benefit the region in the long term.
Another indirect beneficiary were the MRCs of the region. The project helped them gain better living standards through the creation of several new services – community centre, all-day learning, tool rental. They also benefitted from the renewal of built sites in their municipalities. In some cases, these sites also created or renewed various services for them (i.e. provision of clean drinking water).
All in all, we achieved what we set out to do and proved that this model of regional renewal is workable and high yield.
Summary of bilateral results
Collaborating with the Norsk håndverksinstitutt (NH), which specializes in the preservation of cultural heritage and craftsmanship. Organizing three in-person seminars in Slovakia and Norway to facilitate the exchange of know-how and experiences. Drawing inspiration from NH’s different approach to addressing similar topics, which contributes to the further development of methods. Expanding the original concept of cultural heritage to include craftsmanship within the project scope. Developing a new research module focused on uncovering the lost craft heritage of MRCs in the region. Conducting field research based on NH’s methodology, adapted to local conditions, and organizing an exhibition of the items and crafts discovered through this research. Continuing the mutually beneficial cooperation and seeking financial and logistical support to sustain it.