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Description
The main goal of this project is to improve the quality of life of people living in marginalized Roma communities (MRC) by creating new inclusive functional neighbourhoods in the villages of Kecerovské Kostoľany, Vtáčkovce, Boliarov, Bačkov, and Bôrka. The project includes an implementation of inclusive measures in elementary areas of life such as housing, employment, and education for MRC.
The project directly focuses on the access of Roma people to decent housing in their own possession. Nowadays, in Slovakia, there is a large disproportion between the majority population and Roma people in ownership. In this respect, the project is directly addressing the cross-cutting issues of Roma inclusion and empowerment and the area of anti-discrimination by offering housing, employment, and education which are considered as the three key areas for breaking the vicious circle of social exclusion and poverty of Roma people. The methodology is focused on the empowering of individuals and communities through training and education of Roma leaders who later become holders of activities and inclusive ideas. The project is related also to other vulnerable groups of non-Roma people who live in concerned regions. These regions are generally suffering from poverty – there are many unemployed young people, often without a good education, with a tendency to pathological behaviour such as racism, violence, drug, and other kinds of abuse. The service centres are available for those as well.
A partnership with c.a Cesta von creates a necessary synergy of development activities and contributes to the effective and full integration of MRC families. C.a Cesta von has been already active in Kecerovce for 2 years. Thanks to this project, the clients of the housing programme will also become a part of the Omama programme. This model will be later transferred to other villages. The role of the Practical school is to educate Roma students coming from the Kecerovce-Olšava region in masonry.
Summary of project results
The main goal of the "Inclusive Neighborhoods" project was to improve the quality of life for residents of marginalized Roma communities (MRK) by creating functional new neighborhoods in the Košice region. To achieve this, the project focused on four key areas: housing, education, employment, and non-discrimination.
In the area of housing, the project primarily aimed to assist MRK residents in securing legal housing, thereby enhancing their living conditions and overall quality of life.
For education, the project concentrated on teaching participants in the self-help construction program about financial literacy, communication with institutions like banks and government offices, and also on educating local stakeholders and Roma leaders. The Omama program focused on educating parents about early childhood care, while also ensuring that the Omamas themselves stayed updated with current practices.
The employment area aimed to increase employability and employment among Roma interested in the self-help construction program. Participants were supported in saving money for purchasing land and building materials, as well as in taking out loans. Recognizing the importance of a stable and legal income, the project provided counseling to help them secure and maintain employment.
In the non-discrimination area, the project addressed the unequal access to housing rights, particularly for Roma. Support was provided to clients in negotiating processes to defend their housing rights, and the project engaged in activities to raise awareness of this ongoing issue in Slovakia. Through webinars and outreach activities, the project highlighted the persistent discrimination and explored ways to gradually change it through collective efforts.
The implementation of the "Inclusive Neighborhoods" project allowed for practical testing of collaboration between various organizations (Projekt DOM.ov, Spojená Škola Alejová, and Cesta von). Each organization focused on a specific area: Projekt DOM.ov on housing, employment, and education; Spojená Škola on linking students'' theoretical knowledge with practical construction; and Cesta von on educating parents in early childhood care through the Omama program. A common theme for all partners was to combat deeply rooted discrimination in society. To ease tensions between the majority and minority populations, five joint activities were conducted.
The self-help construction process involved 124 families, with 561 individuals receiving education, social, and employment counseling. Employability was increased for 132 clients, and 69 of them were employed. Services were provided through eight service centers in the Košice region, where eight Roma individuals were employed, and weekly service hours were increased to 45 hours per week. Despite bureaucratic challenges, authorization for providing social services through community centers was obtained by the end of the project.
Six marginalized Roma communities were involved in the project, regularly receiving services. The project also focused on educating 39 professionals, enhancing their expertise and professionalism in social work aimed at Roma inclusion. A methodology for the self-help housing program was developed, and partnerships were created or maintained with 11 entities in the Košice region to support successful implementation.
Activities and best practices from both the self-help construction and Omama programs were extended to five locations. Although the goal was to build new neighborhoods in five areas, this was achieved at 80%, with neighborhoods being established in four locations: Bačkov, Kecerovské Kostoľany, Kecerovské Pekľany, and Vtáčkovce. A total of 97 building plots were prepared, with 57 purchased and 38 receiving building permits. By the project''s end, 28 homes were either under construction or completed. A public space was developed in the new neighborhood in Kecerovské Kostoľany, where benches were installed, and fruit trees were planted.
The project partner Cesta von provided education and mentoring support to Omamas and parents of young children through the Omama program. Omamas worked with an average of 108 children aged 0-3 years, representing 93 families, with an average of 160 parents involved in the program’s activities. Information about the "Inclusive Neighborhoods" project was shared with the public through websites (inkluzivnesusedstva.sk, projektdomov.sk), Info Days, opening/closing conferences, and professional events. The project was also presented in media broadcasts and through information campaigns in online and traditional media. Two promotional videos were created, and brochures for clients and conference participants, as well as roll-up banners used during project-related activities, were distributed. At the project’s conclusion, the focus was on evaluating the outcomes and goals, resulting in a study summarizing these achievements. Public opinion was also mapped through a survey conducted at the beginning and end of the project.
The "Inclusive Neighborhoods" project achieved significant results in improving the quality of life for marginalized Roma communities (MRK) in the Košice region. The project had a wide-ranging impact on several key groups:
Residents of Marginalized Roma Communities (MRK):
- Housing: The project facilitated the acquisition of legal housing for MRK families. A total of 97 building plots were prepared, with 57 plots purchased and 38 construction permits issued. By the end of the project, 28 homes were either under construction or completed, significantly enhancing living conditions.
- Employment: Through various initiatives, the project helped increase employability and employment among Roma individuals interested in self-help construction. Employability was improved for 132 clients, and 69 clients were successfully employed.
Children and Families:
- Early Childhood Care: The Omama program, implemented by Cesta von, provided education and mentoring for parents and caregivers, positively impacting the care of children born into generational poverty. Approximately 108 children aged 0-3 years were involved, representing around 93 families, with about 160 parents participating in the program.
Students and Local Stakeholders:
- Education and Skills: Spojená Škola Alejová engaged students in practical construction projects, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on experience in trades like masonry. This contributed to building a skilled future workforce.
Roma Communities and Broader Society:
- Awareness and Advocacy: The project addressed issues of discrimination and unequal access to housing rights. Activities included supporting and representing clients in negotiations for housing rights and raising awareness through webinars and outreach about persistent discrimination. This work aimed to foster a more inclusive attitude towards Roma communities.
Professional Development:
- Training: The project enhanced the knowledge and professionalism of 39 social work professionals, focusing on Roma inclusion. This included developing a methodology for the self-help housing program, which contributed to improved social work practices.
Overall, the project made significant strides in creating new neighborhoods, providing legal housing, improving employability, and enhancing early childhood care. The collaborative efforts of the involved organizations demonstrated the potential for positive change through partnership and shared commitment.