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Description
The programme aims at the social and economic empowerment of Roma populations in Attica through intensive education and skills development.
Most Roma populations across the country remain excluded from the wider community, some without legal documents, living in inappropriate conditions, facing severe or extreme poverty, food insecurity, limited access to public services, low level of education, unemployment and under-representation in the public sphere. These problems reinforce a vicious circle of degradation and exclusion, which includes and sustains introversion, social inequalities and ultimately delinquency as a negative coping mechanism.
The project’s activities include intensive and targeted training of existing mediators and the wider community using the snowball method. The training consists of a basic, common core which includes preparation for the labor market and linking with potential employers and three (3) different directions, namely Health, Human Rights and Communications. These sessions will be accompanied by corresponding practical applications within the community, integrating the theoretical knowledge acquired during the training and turning it into practice.
Summary of project results
The project sought to address the significant social exclusion and barriers to education faced by Roma communities in Greece. With 28% of young Roma having never attended school, the project aimed to provide essential knowledge and skills to promote social inclusion. It also addressed long-standing issues such as early marriages, gender-based violence, child malnutrition, and school dropout, which are prevalent within these marginalized communities.
The project engaged 136 members of the Roma community, with 97 participating systematically in training seminars. Three distinct groups were formed: 11 trained mediators from across Greece, 37 women from the Gerakas camp, and 48 women from the Kiafas camp. The training covered 15 essential topics, including reproductive health, gender equality, human rights, and labor market orientation. Additionally, awareness activities on vaccination and oral hygiene were conducted, and participants were connected with the public health system. A team of 15 Roma representatives was established to advocate for the community, and a comprehensive Training Guide was developed and disseminated, alongside a modular audiobook in the Romani language to enhance accessibility.
The project empowered Roma women and community mediators by providing crucial education on health, human rights, and employment, fostering self-reliance and improved integration into society. The creation of a Roma spokesperson team strengthened community representation in advocacy efforts. The Training Guide and audiobook extended the impact, disseminating knowledge to a broader audience. Public health campaigns and access to medical services promoted health literacy, resulting in improved community well-being. Overall, the project created a replicable model for positive social change and empowerment in Roma communities across Greece.