At the conference dedicated to successful experience and practices regarding the cooperation of local self-governments and civil society organisations in the implementation Roma-focused policies in 20 towns and municipalities in Serbia, representative of the EU Delegation to Serbia Nicolas Bizel said the EU invested most of its money in projects aimed at improving the position of Roma and their social inclusion.
“Through our funds, more than EUR50 million have been directed to projects,” said Bizel and added that it was very important to have Roma organisations and local self-governments monitoring the Project “We Are Here Together – European Support for Roma Inclusion” at all levels.
The Project, worth EUR4.8 million, is funded by the EU and implemented by OSCE Mission to Serbia in coordination with Government Office for Human and Minority Rights.
Since June 2013, the Project has been supporting the implementation of Strategy for Improvement of Status of Roma in areas such as the access to fundamental rights, citizen participation, health and social protection, adequate housing and job creation.
The Project has been implemented in 20 pilot-municipalities: Bela Palanka, Bujanovac, Knjazevac, Koceljeva, Kovin, Kragujevac, Krusevac, Leskovac, Novi Sad, Odzaci, Palilula, Pancevo, Prokuplje, Smederevo, Sombor, Valjevo, Vranje, Zitoradja and Zvezdara.
Director of Government Office for Human and Minority Rights Suzana Paunovic said that the public consultation about the new strategy for the improvement of the status of Roma 2025 was ongoing.
“The process of public discussion ensures the agreement on each of the activities, bearing in mind our living conditions, economic crisis and the volume of funds at our disposal,” said Suzana Paunovic.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-government Drazen Maravic said Roma community remains one of the most vulnerable in Serbia and their status should be topical subject at any time.
“Our task is to create an environment in which the administration would always be reminded of lives and needs of Roma families and provide them with support they deserve,” Maravic said.
