Description
In the target area there are 7917 people of which 400 Romanians (6%), 4300 Hungarians (53%), 3,200 Roma (41%). Even though their coexistence is quite peaceful, there is almost no trace of real collaboration or partnership between them. The education level of the Roma community is vey low an, thus, there are very few chances to increase basic subsistence. The objective of the project is to create a multi level collaboration platform of all minorities in the area to promote social inclusion. The project is expected to increase the educational level of Roma and, stimulate interethnic dialogue. Within the project specialized courses and training on community development, social dialogue as well as practical organizational development training will be delivered for local target structures and at least 5 vocational training for the specific target groups. Creating a micro regional Interethnic Cooperative Association is also one of the targets. Not only the specific target groups are expected to benefit from the project, but citizens at all levels in the south-west of Harghita County, too.
Summary of project results
In the targeted rural communities of Darjiu, Mujna, Bodogaia, Secuieni, Eliseni, Vidacut, Cechesti, Avramesti, Goagiu, Ruganesti and Simonesti (Harghita County), the total population is 7917 people - Romanian ethnics (6%), Hungarian ethnics (53%), and Roma ethnics (41%). 48% are men and 52% are women. Even though the interethnic relations are peaceful, interethnic collaboration is only occasional and any form of partnership is missing. The level of education is very low and most of the active population has no qualifications. Unemployment rate in the county was 6.6% (2012) but in the targeted area it was over 26%. Most of the families live out of subsistence agriculture because the industry is almost missing. A significant number of the unemployed migrate abroad for seasonal work in agriculture and constructions. The project activities contributed to the sustainable development of the region, by developing a community facilitation process in the 11 rural communities in order to organise and mobilise human and material resources. In the same time, workshops with initiative groups, that had as a goal to list and prioritize community problems, plan and implement community actions, but also to improve interethnic dialogue and collaboration in 5 of the targeted localities took place. A set of trainings for the local formal and informal leaders, approaching subjects like community development and income generating activities, were also developed. The project also implied vocational training and counselling for 176 Roma and non Roma ethnics who obtained qualification certificates in accredited occupations: constructions, milk processing, cooking, florist decorator, trade worker, project manager. During the project, a regional association -"The living garden" – was created. The association aimed at generating income for its members by collecting, processing and marketing their products. The new association is a model of interethnic cooperation and income generating activities in Harghita County. The activities of the project contributed to the improvement of civic spirit, of interethnic dialogue / cooperation between Roma and non Roma ethnics and increased chances to find decent jobs for qualified people. At the same time it increased the engagement of Roma women in the social life of the community and improved the entrepreneurial environment in the 11 targeted disadvantaged localities.
Summary of bilateral results