Description
The project addresses discrimination and hate speech targeted at the Roma that prevent successful Roma integration. The project aims at raising public awareness about discrimination and registering and reporting violations of the civil rights of the Roma. First, a large-scale information campaign will be launched in Ruse District including 32 workshops on labour, health and education discrimination and Tolerance Week. Second, Mobile Legal will be set up to provide legal aid to victims of discrimination in small communities. 120 people will be trained to recognize and report discrimination. Third, Civil Resource Centre will be set up and 60 civil observers will be trained to monitor and report violations of Roma’s civil rights by institutions and organizations. The project will benefit the Roma community in Ruse District as well as Roma activists, the local administration, NGOs and the public in general. The partner will support the project at all stages with its expertise.
Summary of project results
The integration of the Roma is challenged by the growing anti-Roma speech and language of discrimination. The institutional environment related to protection against discrimination has been well developed but it can be further improved by means of more active NGO involvement. Therefore, the main project goal was to help strengthen the role of the civil society in the fight against all forms of discrimination. The following outcomes helped achieve that goal: (1) an awareness raising campaign about the citizens’ rights in Rousse District; (2) Mobile Legal Clinic (MLC) for legal counselling and protection to victims of discrimination in small localities in Rousse District (160 counselling sessions); (3) Civil Resource Centre for Protection against Discrimination (CRCPD) which registers and reports violations of citizens’ rights. The main target group covered by project activities includes people of Roma origin, and indirectly volunteers, Roma activists, the local administration, NGOs, etc. During the project implementation The Guide on Seven Steps to Protect my Rights was published and disseminated, 60 civil observers – volunteers were trained to help the work of the MLC and CRCPD during and after the project end and 120 representatives of the municipal administration, local Roma NGOs and informal leaders were trained to recognize and report discrimination. For more information:
https://ero.alle.bg/
Summary of bilateral results