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Description
Main problem: 1.178 Roma live in the Brod-Posavina County. This number is higher because Roma often identify themselves as Croats or Serbs for fear of discrimination. They are spatially, economically and politically marginalized and underrepresented in public life. Prejudices against the Roma and stereotypes are rooted in the local community due to their lack of knowledge of Roma culture.
Main goal: To promote and protect the rights of Roma victims of human rights violations and discrimination by raising awareness of society and stakeholders, strengthening the implementation of non-discriminatory legislation and empowering Roma to seek legal protection.
Spec. goals:
1. Strengthen the capacity of Roma mediators to identify and report discrimination, participate in decision-making processes, advocate and mediate in conflicts.
2. Promote better protection and access to justice for Roma victims of discrimination.
3. Establish inter-sectoral cooperation for integration of Roma in the local community, increase public awareness of the practical steps of Roma integration and promote intercultural dialogue.
Key activities: Education for Roma mediators-IPC, DKolektiv; legal assistance to Roma victims of discrimination-IPC; representation of victims of discrimination before the Ombudswoman-IPC; research on the implementation of the CLNM and ADL-IPC; Local Platform for Roma Inclusion-IPC; Photovoice exhibition-IPC; media campaign-IPC.
The multiplier effect will be achieved by empowering Roma to seek legal protection in the Osijek-Baranja County. Capacity building of individuals and communities and support for significant levels of Roma participation in the project are essential elements of its sustainable impact.
Summary of project results
The project "Equality for Roma through combating discrimination" aimed to address the everyday discrimination and prejudice that Roma people in Croatia face, which affects their access to education, employment, housing, and other essential services. Many Roma lack awareness of their minority rights and are socially excluded from public and political life. Their lower educational levels and the persistent discrimination they encounter from employers create barriers to finding jobs. Additionally, many Roma live in poor conditions with limited access to basic infrastructure and healthcare services. Stereotypes about Roma culture further contribute to their social isolation.
Discrimination begins early for Roma children, who often face segregation and bias in the education system. This leads to many dropping out of school, which in turn hinders their opportunities in the job market. When they try to find employment, they often face stigmatization, forcing many into unemployment or illegal work. This results in a cycle of poverty, social exclusion, lack of healthcare, and poor living conditions. Everyday discrimination is especially prevalent in areas such as employment, education, healthcare access, social welfare, and interactions with law enforcement.
Despite these challenges, Roma rarely report instances of discrimination due to a lack of knowledge, fear, or distrust in institutions. Many do not recognize when they are being discriminated against, and even those who do are unsure how to report it.
The project sought to promote and protect the rights of Roma who are victims of discrimination and human rights violations. It aimed to raise awareness among society and key stakeholders, strengthen the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, and empower Roma to seek legal protection. Another key focus was building the capacity of Roma mediators to recognize and report discrimination, participate in decision-making processes, and advocate for their community.
The project also aimed to improve legal protection for Roma victims of discrimination, foster cross-sectoral cooperation for better Roma integration, raise public awareness about Roma inclusion, and promote intercultural dialogue. Ultimately, the project sought to create an environment where discrimination against Roma is recognized and condemned, while Roma victims receive support in legal proceedings. By strengthening the capacities of both Roma mediators and legal professionals, the project aimed to reduce discrimination and improve living conditions for the Roma community, ensuring they are seen as equal members of society.
The project included several activities aimed at enhancing the capacities of Roma mediators and actively involving Roma community as the target group.
At the beginning, training sessions were conducted for potential Roma mediators - three in Slavonski Brod and three in Beli Manastir. These sessions covered recognizing discrimination, available legal remedies, the role of the Ombudsman, involvement in decision-making processes, mediation methods, and advocacy techniques. The training strengthened the participants'' skills in identifying discrimination, informing victims about legal options, engaging in advocacy, and participating in decision-making processes related to Roma integration. The sessions also improved their ability to access judicial mechanisms for discrimination cases in Brodsko-posavska and Osječko-baranjska counties.
After the training, three mediators were selected to regularly visit Roma settlements and families in Brodsko-posavska County. Later on, three more mediators were engaged for similar activities in Osječko-baranjska County. By the end of the project, the six mediators, out of which two women, had made 102 field visits to detect unreported discrimination cases, producing reports on their findings. The mediators worked to build trust and open communication with victims of discrimination. They used their networks and previous contacts to find and support individuals who felt discriminated against. They provided expert support and referred victims to IPC''s lawyers for legal advice. IPC lawyers also occasionally visited the field to assist those unable to visit the office, such as people with disabilities, the elderly, and mothers with young children.
During the project, three handbooks on anti-discrimination legislation, minority rights, mediation, and advocacy methods were created and distributed to all training participants. Evaluations showed that 70% of participants felt more capable of supporting discrimination victims after the training.
Two public forums were held to raise awareness about discrimination among the Roma community. These forums presented positive examples of IPC''s previous complaints and provided practical advice on reporting discrimination. The forums were led by legal advisors and Roma mediators.
Throughout the project, the project promoter Information Legal Centre''s (IPC) lawyers provided legal assistance to 47 victims of discrimination, covering various areas like employment, education, police treatment, access to healthcare, and social services. They also selected eight strategic cases to pursue with the Ombudsman’s Office, aiming to set legal precedents and draw public attention to discrimination issues.
Additionally, the project included a research study on the implementation of the Constitutional Act on the Rights of National Minorities and the Anti-Discrimination Act. This research involved surveys, fieldwork by Roma mediators, focus groups, and document analysis. It aimed to explore the experiences and attitudes of Roma individuals regarding discrimination and their engagement with state institutions.
Regular meetings of the Local Roma Inclusion Platform continued during the project, fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, including Roma activists, local authorities, and civil society organizations. The meetings addressed various issues such as media roles, examples of successful collaborations, and the position of Roma women.
From June 19 to July 9, 2023, a Photovoice exhibition was held in Slavonski Brod, showcasing 70 photographs taken by Roma mediators, volunteers, and schoolchildren, which highlighted the daily lives and challenges faced by the Roma community. The project also included a media campaign called "Equal Opportunities for All," featuring radio spots and interviews to raise awareness about discrimination and the project''s findings.
Lastly, the partner organization DKolektiv supported the project with tools for measuring impact and evaluating activities. Workshops and consultations were conducted to enhance IPC''s ability to monitor and assess the effectiveness of their work.
The project has contributed to greater access to rights, reduced discrimination, and increased participation of Roma in societal activities, benefiting both the Roma community and the broader public.
The project made significant strides in improving legal protection and access to justice for Roma victims of discrimination by actively involving trained Roma mediators. These mediators underwent specialized training to enhance their skills in identifying and reporting discrimination, participating in decision-making processes, and advocating for victims. Their work in Roma communities, which are traditionally close-knit and insular, enabled direct communication with Roma individuals, educating them about their rights and available legal resources. This facilitated the swift identification of discrimination cases and more effective legal support. All engaged mediators are Roma activists who will continue to use their newly acquired knowledge and skills in their ongoing activism. They will also direct discrimination victims to the Information Legal Centre (IPC), whose legal staff gained valuable experience from this project.
The Roma community, including both men and women, has become more aware of their rights and better equipped to confront discrimination and recognize human rights violations. Increased participation and engagement in the project''s activities suggest a heightened awareness and motivation for change. Notably, there has been a significant increase in reporting discrimination, with trained mediators mapping and identifying cases in the Brodsko-posavska and Osječko-baranjska counties. The project also collected valuable data on minority rights and discrimination, which will aid advocacy efforts.
Through field visits, legal counseling, representation of victims, public forums, and a media campaign, Roma community members were informed and their awareness of discrimination issues was raised. Submissions to various institutions addressed specific problems, such as inconsistencies in social welfare practices and issues in local schools, contributing to improvements in the Roma community’s position and quality of life.
The project fostered long-term intersectoral cooperation through the establishment of a Local Roma Inclusion Platform. This platform facilitated constructive dialogue and collaboration on issues facing the Roma community, improving the quality of public policy and promoting non-discrimination principles.
The Photovoice exhibition, featuring 60 photographs by Roma mediators and volunteers, and the media campaign "Equal Opportunities for All" significantly raised public awareness in the Brodsko-posavska and Osječko-baranjska counties. This campaign included radio spots and local news articles, which enhanced community understanding of coexistence, tolerance, and multicultural dialogue.