Roma represents the most largest ethnic minority group in Europe, but they are also the most discriminated and marginalised group across the continent, being at the highest risk of poverty and social exclusion of all Europeans. Mindful of the sensitivity and the significance of the issue, the European Union has for years undertaken a series of activities that show EU’s commitment to address this issue. The EU Delegation to Serbia has so far donated EUR50 million in projects aimed at improving the quality of life and fostering social inclusion of Roma in Serbia. At the moment, there are two more calls for proposals aimed at social inclusion of Roma.
“The European Union has recognised the issues Roma people face in everyday life and therefore we prioritised our support to Serbia in addressing social inequalities and poverty, with the aim of increasing Roma integration,” Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Ambassador Michael Davenport told the “Situation of Roma Women within the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015” conference.
As part of the activities in this area, the EU pays attention to the situation of Roma, while at the same time it monitors Serbia’s progress in improving their life conditions.
“The EU has so far invested EUR50 million in various programmes that provide both direct and indirect help to Roma in the fields of education, employment, healthcare, housing, obtaining personal documents, as well as in the field of improvement of social policy,” Davenport said.
“We provide support to Roma Women’s Network and other Roma women organisations (e.g. BIBIJA, Women Space) and we will continue our support in the future,” he added.
The EU Delegation to Serbia’s activities are part of a much wider action plan taken for years by the EU and its Member States dealing with the issue of social inclusion of Roma.
Launched in 2008, the Roma Summit held in Brussels last week gathered the Member States, as well as enlargement countries, including Serbia. Recognising the good results achieved over the last several years, the Mayor of Sombor was the only East European representative who was invited to present the good practices and the results of activities concerning Roma social inclusion.
Within its activities in Serbia the EU pays attention to the position of Roma, while at the same time it monitors Serbia’s progress in improving the life conditions of this ethnic minority. Through its IPA funds, the EU has by now granted EUR50 million to projects supporting Roma population. Among the most funded projects are those aimed at including Roma children in education, supporting the employment and housing of Roma, as well as the projects aimed at improving access to healthcare, providing legal assistance, and helping them obtain personal documents.
Thanks to the projects funded by the EU, textbooks were given to Roma high school students from Prokuplje, that they otherwise couldn’t afford; more than 40 Roma pre and school children form Leskovac attended the additional Serbian language and math classes so as to join school more smoothly, while 25 Roma families were given the opportunity to learn more about doing seasonal agricultural works and grow food in and around Bosilegrad.
Several EU-funded projects concerning the housing of Roma are currently being carried out. In last year only, the EU has granted EUR3,6 million for construction or purchase of houses intended for 200 most vulnerable Roma families in Belgrade. The EU has also helped the establishment of the network of health mediators, who make sure Roma receive the necessary healthcare. EU funds have enabled OSCE and NGO sector to help the legally invisible persons obtain the registration in birth registry and personal documents.
“We just launched a 1.5 million euros call for projects, to be proposed by civil society organizations and Roma NGOs, as well as concerned local authorities, to support the inclusion of Roma persons in the labour market,” said Deputy of the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Oscar Benedikt.
There are also efforts being made to help Roma organisations of civil society take a more active part in political decision making processes, especially when it comes to preparation and implementation of local action plans for Roma integration, Benedikt added.
“Our goal is to help Roma, as well as other vulnerable minorities, to motivate them to take a more active role in community and to fight for better life by offering them a chance to work and be truly integrated in our society,” said Ambassador Davenport.
Examples of projects aimed at social inclusion of Roma:
Pupils from Prokuplje Received Textbooks
Working the Fertile Fields Hand in Hand
More details on call for proposals within the “Support to the Social Inclusion of the Most Vulnerable Groups, Including Roma, through More Diversified Community-based Social Services” project.
