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Description
The project aims to initiate establishment of the Platform for the improvement of Roma integration in the Plzen Region. The Platform will serve as a consultation body for development and evaluation of public policies in the Plzen Region. Activities of the Platform will be closely linked to key premise of successfull integration, which is ensuring standard housing.
The project will develop, monitor and evaluate a system of providing housing for disadvantaged people in housing need (Roma individuals and families) within the current real estate market, which together with the Platform''s own activities is the key building block of the project and its contribution to Roma integration.
An important part of the project are educational activities provided for representatives of public administration, educational institutions and providers of social and related services in the field of Roma integration, as well as the broad information campaign aimed to communicate project outcomes and address and involve key stakeholders.
The project is implemented in a broad partnership, both with non-profit organizations and with partners from the public administration (Pilsen Region and the Statutory City of Pilsen). Its implementation is also supported by other cities and organizations in the Pilsen Region and CR (see confirmation in the project appendices).
Summary of project results
The necessity of the project lies in supporting the process of creating and verifying the effectiveness of possible tools to improve the integration of the Roma minority in the Pilsen region, which is generally unfavorable, supported by persistent prejudices and stereotypical behavior of the majority society. The biggest challenge was the state of the private housing market associated with the arrival of war refugees from Ukraine and the subsequent legal support for their housing in Czechia.
As a part of the project, complex and connecting activities were implemented which adequately responded to the problem of supporting Roma integration. The project established the Platform for Roma Integration, which helped bring together organizations dealing with this topic. The also established Roma Council in Pilsen will partner with the local government in defining and applying integration measures. The position of Roma on the housing market was also strengthened when several Roma households were settled in cooperation with apartment owners. Educational events were also held, intended to help subjects working with the Roma to understand the differences based on their socio-cultural specifics. Publicity and enlightening activities were also carried out, e.g. a press conference, the publication of several reports, videos and reports intended to bring the meaning of integration activities closer to the public and support the groundlessness of stereotypes towards the Roma.
The main goal was strengthening the identity and position of Roma in the region and creating effective integration tools. Implementation of activities fulfilled the project''s purpose and all of its planned outputs. The positive impact of the project can be shown by the establishment of the Platform (14 members) and the Roma Council (17 members), through which the community gained its representation in dealing with integration issues. At last, the project ensured standard housing for 48 Roma. The long-term importance lies mainly in further activities of the Platform and the Roma Council in Pilsen. They will continue to cooperate within the created partnerships between organizations working with Roma, public administration representatives and Roma representatives involving political decision-making processes in the field of Roma integration. Another importance is in the established system of involving Roma in the regular housing market and combating discrimination against them.