Description
The project addresses the challenges faced by the Roma community in Sliven related to unemployment, poverty, low education, poor infrastructure, discrimination and prejudices. The Roma in Sliven have made Roma Academy for Culture and Education (RACE) its representative before the competent authorities. However, the RACE team needs training to boost its capacity to carry out advocacy and monitoring actions. The project aims at providing training to the RACE team to build its capacity and make it an equal partner of the institutions. First, the local community will be informed about the project. Second, 10 members of the RACE team and volunteers will be trained to acquire knowledge and skills for advocacy, monitoring and practical forms of civic control. The team members and the volunteers will share and exchange experience with similar Bulgarian NGOs. The project will benefit the target group of the Roma and Roma NGOs by building their capacity for advocacy actions.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the need of the Roma Academy for Culture and Education (RACE) to boost its capacity to carry out advocacy and monitoring actions on behalf of the Roma community in Sliven as the Roma in Sliven have made RACE its representative before the competent authorities. Through the implementation of the project two main results have been achieved: 1) Increased public awareness of the work of the Association - mission, specific project activities and overall activities of RACE. Thanks to the new website, the team of RACE now has the opportunity to publish news about the work of the Association related to the integration of Roma in Sliven and Bulgaria. It has expanded citizens' access to current information related to the local government and local policies for Roma integration, upcoming events, implemented activities etc.; 2) Increased capacity of RACE, acquired knowledge and skills in advocacy, monitoring and practical application of forms of civic control, effective methods of teamwork, planning and implementing best practices for integration. Conducted were four two-days trainings of staff and volunteers of the Association. Experience was exchanged with other Roma NGOs in Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, Yambol, and Burgas.
Summary of bilateral results