We Are Here Together – European Support for Roma Inclusion Project, funded by the EU and implemented by OSCE Mission in Serbia, has improved access to fundamental rights for Roma in the area of education, housing and employment, noted today Project’s Steering Committee.
Director of Office for Human and Minority Rights Suzana Paunovic said that over the course of project implementation, 20,000 Roma obtained personal documents, 969 administrative and court procedures were launched in view of entering Roma in birth registers, 500 scholarships were granted to high school students, with another 500 announced.
She said that education was a precondition to get out of poverty, the number one threat faced by Roma, which was why apart from scholarships, the project launched initiative of introducing pedagogical assistants, the initiative through which 1,279 children were enrolled in preschool institutions.
According to her, best practice certificates in the area of Roma employment were presented to 18 enterprises which will provide job placements to over 60 Roma.
When it comes to housing support, a construction company has been approved and already started preparing technical documentation for the purpose of improving Roma settlements which fell below minimum housing standards in 15 municipalities. In addition, 13 urban development plans are currently being developed in 11 municipalities, Paunovic said.
Ana Milenic, Project Manager at the EU Delegation to Serbia, said that the project was among the most complex Serbia had ever implemented in the area of Roma inclusion, and required additional six months in order to complete the ongoing activities.
Project Leader at the OSCE Mission Lloyd Tudyk said he was pleased with the results, noting that access to fundamental rights has indeed improved for Roma.
