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Description
The project "We can do more together" aims to support the empowerment of 2200 Roma at the national level, using a "bottom up" approach in which Roma citizens are at the center, learning to actively contribute to solving community problems and make their voice heard. The approach of this project is innovative, changing the social perspective frequently used in public policies and portraying the group''s media in an ethnic perspective of the Roma as a resource for Romania''s development. The general objective of the proposed project is to: Increase the inclusion and empowerment of 2200 Roma in Romania. At the end of the project, 20 Roma communities from Botoșani, Brașov, Brăila, Buzău, Iași counties will be empowered with at least 1 level (on the scale of empowerment from 1 to 3), 75 Roma local experts and leaders from the national level will have improved abilities to participate in decision making and representation of Roma communities, 2000 people will have developed knowledge about the history and culture of 2000 people (1500 Roma, 500 non-Roma). The partnership is broad and includes as an applicant 1 Roma organization with development of Roma communities programs for over 20 years, and as partners: 1 Roma organization promoting Roma culture and identity, 1 public institution aimed at preserving, promoting and developing ethno-cultural values of the Roma community and 5 Roma NGOs at local / county level.
Summary of project results
Romania is still facing discrimination of Roma communities: 41% of them are marginalised, and 89% of Roma people declared that they never been consulted on local development strategies. Almost 90% or Roma never participated to the local council meetings.
The project addressed the need to reduce prejudices and stereotypes about Roma at national level by carrying out campaigns to raise awareness/ sensitize the majority and change the discourse about Roma.
The project "We can do more together" used a "bottom up" approach in which Roma citizens are at the centre, learning to actively contribute to solving community problems and make their voice heard. The project was implemented in 20 Roma communities from 5 counties: Botoșani, Brașov, Brăila, Buzău, and Iași.
For all communities involved in the project, an Action plan for Roma was developed by the Local Action Group and presented to the local authorities.
As a result, 4 of the local strategies includes actions for Roma communities and for promoting interculturality.
The members of the Local Action Groups were trained in public policies for Roma and local representation. Also, the local public authorities’ staff was trained for working with Roma communities.
The Roma students and parents were trained and counselled for a better self-esteem.
In all the 20 communities were organised public debates for influencing the public policies regarding Roma, at the local, regional and national level.
The project empowered 2335 Roma citizens from 20 communities and 5 counties. At the local level, 321 experts were trained for working with Roma communities, and 75 Roma leaders and experts were trained for defending the rights of Roma members of the communities.
1853 people, of which 1128 are of Roma ethnicity participated to awareness campaigns for Roma rights.