Local and Regional Initiatives to Reduce National Inequalities and to Promote Social Inclusion

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? The programme is to contribute to reduced social and economic disparities by strengthening the inclusion of Roma children in the educational system. Roma children are lagging behind the majority of children in terms of educational results and achievements. The language and cultural barriers are among several challenges of the educational system regarding Roma pupils.   What will the programme achieve? The programme will contribute to the improvement of Romani language education, increased use of Romani language as a support language in schools, and a better integration of Roma children and youth in the educational process and system.   How will it be achieved? The programme includes two pre-defined improving studies of the Romani language and its use in educational process studies. The projects are implemented by the Institute of Roma Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care at the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (€258,000), and the National Institute for Education (€307 000). The pre-defined projects are well integrated with the open call (€476 177) to support small grants ranging from €5 000 to €40 000 to support Roma inclusion and inter-cultural projects by primary and secondary schools.   How will bilateral relations be strengthened? The Council of Europe, the Donor Programme Partner, has contributed to the preparation of the programme. Factsheets on Roma history developed by the Council of Europe will be translated and published in Slovak as part of the project and used as educational material. In addition to the co-operation with the Council of Europe, the programme aims to stimulate co-operation between a network of primary and secondary schools in Slovakia and the European Wergeland Centre in Norway, as well as co-operation at the project level under small grants. Joint workshops are planned as part of the programme.   What are the partnership opportunities? Limited opportunities for partnerships are available under projects, as the programme’s open call aims to awards small grants to schools.   Who can apply for funding under this programme? The primary and secondary schools are eligible applicants who can apply for small grants under the open call.