Lessons learnt and best practices in co-operation between local self-governments and civil society organizations (CSOs) in implementing Roma policies in 20 pilot municipalities in Serbia will be presented at a conference tomorrow in Belgrade.

The event is organized within the EU-funded project “We Are Here Together – European Support for Roma Inclusion” implemented by the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

Participants will discuss best practices resulted from trainings on improving joint participation in development, monitoring and reporting on local Roma policies, local action plans and budgets, as well as in the work of local self-governments’ advisory bodies. The selected CSOs working on Roma inclusion will present their benefit from the mentorship programme they completed.

The European Support for Roma Inclusion is a 4.8 mn EUR European Union-funded project, implemented by the OSCE Mission to Serbia, assisting Serbian institutions in the improvement of life of Roma people in the following areas: access to basic rights and civic participation, labour market, education, health, social welfare, adequate housing and job creation. Key stakeholders and implementing partners include the Office for Human and Minority Rights, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, NGO Praxis, the Roma Education Fund, the Government of Serbia European Integration Office and Social Inclusion and the Poverty Reduction Unit.