Description
The project addresses the difficulties of the Roma community related to access, use and misuse of services provided by private companies, mobile operators and banks aggravated by the low literacy and awareness of the Roma. The project attempts at raising the awareness of the Roma, inviting them to be active consumers making informed decisions. First, 8 Consumer Clubs will be set up in the South West region and 56 members will be trained on consumer rights protection, equal treatment, anti-discrimination and informed use of services. Second, data will be collected about the households that are current or would-be users and the available service providers. Finally, mass awareness campaigns will be organized among the Roma community. The project will benefit the main target group, i.e. the Roma community in South West Bulgaria by teaching them to be active and responsible users, making informed decisions, and will also achieve better understanding on behalf of the service providers.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the difficulties of the Roma community related to access, use and misuse of services provided by private companies, mobile operators and banks aggravated by the low literacy and awareness of the Roma. The main outcome of the project was the establishment of self-organized structures, i.e. Consumer Clubs of the Roma from Sofia, Ichtiman, Samokov, Blagoevgrad, Pernik and Kyustendil. The clubs have the capacity to continue their work after the end of the project activities. The business relations established with the companies providing services in the target areas also stand the chance of becoming permanent practices. A particular success is the foundation laid for a positive case law in cases of identified violations of consumer rights. The main impact of the project on the target groups is their emancipation and opportunities for independent decision-making.
Summary of bilateral results