Description
The Roma minority traditionally has a low education level which is the main reason for the high unemployment level of Roma people, which results in their poor living conditions. The project is aimed to promote inclusion of Roma children and young people into the education system and the labor market and integration of their families into the society, promoting collaboration and intercultural dialogue to reduce social disparities. The main activities of the project include training on diversity management and non-discrimination, training and operation of Roma mediators, establishing a resource centre for Roma children and young people, innovative intercultural events, developing informative auxiliary materials, specialist consultations, setting up inter-ethnic NGO collaboration networks, etc. A relevant international experience will be studied to promote Roma children inclusion into the education system, societal integration of the Roma community, reduced negative bias against the Roma. The target group: Roma children and young people.
Summary of project results
The general goal of the project was creation of cohesive society in Latvia by developing a social integration support mechanism for Roma community in Latvia. The direct goal of the project was to promote inclusion of Roma children and youth in the system of education and labour market as well as integration of thear families in the community by promoting cooperation and inter-cultural dialogue to reduce social diversity. Target group of the project was Roma children and youth - the most discriminated minority group in Latvia. Project was implemented in all regions of Latvia (except Riga) because Roma community reside all around Latvia and is spread in different regions of the country. The main project activities, which was implemented is training on diversity managament and non-discrimination in education, training of Roma mediators and action, instalment of Resource centres for Roma children, implementation of innovative inter-cultural events, development of informative support materials, consultations of professionals and development of NGO cooperation network. The main results of the project: Implementation of the project has encouraged inclusion of Roma children and young people in the education system by: 1) training of 32 teachers and specialists in new methodology in Latvia (program Grunnlaget provided by Norwegian partner) for work with Roma children and young people; 2) training of more than 60 teachers in diversity management and social justice; 3) initiating of the 4 Resource Centre for roma children and youth and providing activities in the centres; 4) involving in the project activities and delivering support to 131 Roma children and young people; 5) informing people and community about project and integration of Roma families in the community by effective public information campaign - was generated 188 different activities of publicity. The project has promoted integration of Roma families in the community, promoted communication among municipal and state institution and roma community, as well as ensuring inter-cultural dialogue between the social disparities by the work of five Roma mediators in four Latvian regions.
Summary of bilateral results
Project Partner: Resource Center "Pedverket" (Norway) Within the project partner (Pedverket Kompetanse) training of 32 teachers and specialists in new methodology in Latvia (program Grunnlaget) for work with Roma children and young people. The project partners provided the project participants of Latvian innovative methodologies Grunnlaget using in work with Roma children and young people. Developed by a seminar on innovative methods of working with the Roma community, provided expert in seminar and provided consultation. The collaboration with partner can be evaluated as positive.