Community closer to school!

Project facts

Project promoter:
Association of the Social Democratic Union of Roma in Romania Informatii(RO)
Project Number:
RO-ACTIVECITIZENS-0232
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€138,199
Programme:

Description

The project is necessary for the improvement of the level of education of the Roma and Romanian students from 2 interethnic rural localities of the Prahova county and of the participation of the citizens in the life of the community and the educational act. The general objective of the project is to improve the level of education of the Roma and Romanian students from 2 interethnic rural localities of Prahova county. The specific objectives are: (1) Ensuring the participation in the remedial education activities of 150 Roma and Romanian students from 2 interethnic rural localities for a period of 6 months; (2) Improving the participation in the educational act of at least 150 Roma and Romanian parents of students from 2 rural interethnic localities over a period of 9 months; (3) Development of 2 local support groups for education in 2 interethnic rural localities over a period of 11 months; (4) Creating a network of 4 school mediators for 2 interethnic rural localities, within 9 months.

The results of the project are: 4 persons from rural area, Roma and Romanians trained as school mediators, of which 2 employees; 150 Roma and Romanian students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades participating in school remediation activities; At least 150 Roma and Romanian parents involved in school education activities; 20 representatives of the Romanians from the rural area participate in the decision making in the educational act; development of 2 local support groups for education in 2 interethnic rural localities;  1 network of school mediators activated.

Target groups of the project: Roma and Romanian students of the 7th and 8th grades from 2 interethnic rural localities; the members of the rural community from 2 interethnic rural localities.The project will also improve the skills of school participation and decision-making among the Roma, the level of education and active involvement in the life of the community.

Summary of project results

Project Overview

The project was initiated to enhance the educational attainment of both Roma and Romanian students in two interethnic rural communities in Prahova County. Additionally, it aimed to foster greater civic participation and engagement in the educational process within these communities.

General Objective

The overarching goal of the project was to improve the level of education among Roma and Romanian students from the targeted interethnic rural localities in Prahova County.

Specific Objectives

To achieve this general objective, the project set forth the following specific goals:

Enhanced Student Participation in Remedial Education:

The project provided 150 Roma and Romanian students from the two interethnic rural localities with access to remedial education programs for a period of six months.

Increased Parental Involvement in Education:

It engaged at least 150 parents of Roma and Romanian students in structured educational activities designed to support their children''s learning process, for a duration of nine months.

Development of Local Educational Support Structures:

The project established and sustained two local support groups focused on promoting education within the targeted interethnic rural localities over a period of eleven months.

Creation of a Network of School Mediators:

A structured network of four school mediators was created to facilitate communication and cooperation between schools, students, and parents in the two interethnic rural communities within a timeframe of nine months.

Implementation Strategy

To fulfill these objectives, the project implemented a series of seven structured activities, aligned with the planned schedule:

Project Management (A1): Ensured efficient coordination, monitoring, and implementation of project activities while managing resources and reporting progress.

Information and Communication (A2): Raised awareness about the project, its objectives, and its benefits through various communication channels to engage stakeholders.

Formation and Activation of the School Mediators’ Network (A3): Recruited, trained, and mobilized school mediators to bridge the gap between schools, students, and parents, fostering a more inclusive education system.

Local Support Group Activities (A4): Established and facilitated the activities of local educational support groups to address community-specific educational challenges and promote solutions.

Parents’ School (A5): Conducted training sessions and workshops to educate parents on their role in supporting their children''s education and encouraging active participation in the schooling process.

Remedial Education – After-School Program (A6): Provided additional academic support to students through structured after-school learning sessions, aimed at preventing school dropout and improving educational performance.

Organizational Development Activities (A7): Strengthened institutional capacity through training, procedural improvements, and fostering collaborations to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiatives.

By systematically implementing these activities, the project successfully created lasting improvements in the educational participation and achievement of Roma and Romanian students while fostering greater community engagement in the learning process.

To achieve the project’s objectives, seven key activities were implemented in alignment with the established activity schedule. These activities were designed to ensure effective project management, community engagement, educational support, and organizational development. The activities are as follows:

  1. Project Management (A1) – This activity focused on ensuring the smooth and efficient implementation of the project. It involved planning, monitoring, coordination, financial management, and reporting to ensure that all objectives were met on time and within budget.

  2. Information and Communication (A2) – This component aimed to disseminate relevant information about the project to stakeholders, including schools, parents, students, and local authorities. It involved awareness campaigns, public relations efforts, and the use of various communication channels to promote transparency and engagement.

  3. Training and Activation of the Network of School Mediators (A3) – This activity was dedicated to the recruitment, training, and mobilization of school mediators. These mediators played a crucial role in facilitating communication between schools, students, and parents, particularly in Roma communities, to reduce school dropout rates and promote inclusive education.

  4. Local Support Groups Activities (A4) – The establishment and operation of local support groups aimed to create a structured framework for addressing challenges faced by students and their families. These groups included teachers, school mediators, parents, and community representatives working together to develop and implement solutions for improving educational outcomes.

  5. Parents’ School (A5) – This initiative was designed to involve parents more actively in their children''s education. It provided training sessions, workshops, and counseling to help parents understand their role in supporting their children’s academic journey, improving school attendance, and fostering a positive learning environment at home.

  6. Remedial Activities – After-School Program (A6) – The after-school remedial program provided additional academic support to students who needed help catching up with their peers. It included tutoring, homework assistance, and personalized learning strategies to improve academic performance and prevent school dropout.

  7. Organizational Development Activities (A7) – This activity focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of organizations involved in the project. It included training for staff, improving internal procedures, and developing partnerships to ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the initiatives.

These activities, implemented systematically, played a crucial role in achieving the project’s objectives by fostering educational inclusion, strengthening community engagement, and enhancing the overall learning experience for students.

 

The implementation of the project led to significant achievements in fostering educational inclusion and community engagement. The key results include:

  1. Training and Activation of School Mediators:

    • One training course conducted for the school mediator occupation.
    • Five individuals successfully trained as school mediators.
    • Two school mediators actively integrated into schools within the two interethnic rural communities.
  2. Community Engagement and Local Support Groups:

    • 25 representatives of both Roma and Romanian communities from rural areas participated in discussions within the local support groups in Bucov and Drăgănești, Prahova County.
    • Two local support groups were established and became operational.
  3. Parental Involvement in Education:

    • 150 Roma and Romanian parents engaged in school-related educational activities.
    • 18 meetings were organized within educational institutions over a nine-month period to strengthen parental participation.
  4. Student Academic Support and School Participation:

    • 150 students participated in remedial education activities over a period of eight months.
    • 150 Roma and Romanian students improved their academic performance and school attendance as a result of project interventions.
  5. Community Development Training:

    • 26 individuals participated in a community development training program aimed at enhancing their ability to understand and manage interpersonal, professional, and personal relationships.

These results demonstrate the project’s effectiveness in improving educational opportunities, fostering stronger community participation, and enhancing the capacities of students, parents, and mediators in interethnic rural communities.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.