ROMACTED program, “Promoting good governance and Roma empowerment at local level”, is a Joint Program between the European Union (DG NEAR) and the Council of Europe.
The program is implemented by the Council of Europe’s Roma and Travellers Team and the Office of the Directorate General of Programs in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey for a period of 36 months, starting in May 2017. The aims of the program are to: Strengthen political will and support local development through capacity-building of local authorities and effective participation of Roma citizens in local plans and projects; Empower the Roma citizens- on the individual level (assisting people to practice their basic rights and to expand their capacity and skills), as well as on the community level (assisting people to get organized to voice their interests around community problem-solving); Improve and expand the institutions' commitment, capacities, knowledge and skills in working for Roma inclusion, putting into practice the concepts of good governance.
Activities within the ROMACTED program
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, as a national coordinator of the ROMACTED
Program in Macedonia, organized consultative meeting with the ROMACTED municipalities, the EUD and the municipality of Shuto Orizari! The meeting addressed some of the major issues of the Roma communities face at local level and explored possible solutions to improve the living conditions of the communities.
On 16th of January Mr. Hadis Redjepi-
ROMACTED project officer and Mr. Ferdi Ismaili - National focal point of ROMACTED program meet with the new Minister without portfolio Mr.Muzafer Bajram! The purpose of the meeting was to represent the program and continue the cooperation and coordination at local level including policies and activities targeting the Roma!
On the 17th of January the Municipal Mr.Hadis Redjepi - ROMACTED Council of the Municipality of Debar adopted the Local action plan for program officer and Mr. Ferdi Ismaili -
Roma, prepared by the Community National Focal point of ROMACTED action group and institutional group of th ROMACTED program! Thanks to all program had a strategic meeting on 24 members and the team of January with the Mayors of Municipality ROMACTED in Municipality of of Strumica and Berovo! Debar - for first time are adopted local policies targeting Roma issues!
The Delegation of the Council of Europe responsible for the ROMACTED program in Strasburg together with the team of ROMACTED in Macedonia on 4th of February held a
meeting with the mayor of Strumica Municipality, the institutional group of ROMACTED
in the municipality of Strumica and a representative of the community. At the meeting it was discussed about the so far activities taken from ROMACTED, the methodology, the challenges and the recommendation for further implementation of the program.
A meeting was held with the mayor of Advisory meeting with 12 Municipalities Veles Municipality Ace Kocevski, the ROMACTED was held on 5th of February! delegation of the Council of Europe and Opening speech by Delegation of European Sonce association in the frames of the Union, program office of Council of Europe th ROMATED program on 4 of February. in Macedonia, ROMACTED team from CE
In the meeting participated Markos - Strasbourg, Ministry of labor and social Andrade, manager of the program, Marina policy, Ministry of education, Ministry of
Vasik, project coordinator, Hadis Redjepi education, Cabinet of the Minister without manager of the program in North portfolio Mr. Muzafer Bajram and Ministry
Macedonia, Ferdi Ismaili, executive of local self-government! director of ADRR Sonce and Nazmie ` Ramadanovic from the NGO „Romska sila“- Veles.
On February 13, 2019, the representatives of the Roma Education Fund (REF) were on a Coordination meeting with monitoring visit in Tetovo and
ROMACTED facilitators took Gostivar. place on 9th of February!
th On the 14 of February, Mr. Ferdi Ismaili - Executive Director of Sonce and Mr. Nezir Huseini program manager for employment and program director of Sonce, in the Head Office of Sonce we had a meeting with Ms.Tara Sharafundheen from World Bank Washington! The purpose of meeting was to support vulnerable women especially Roma women in labor market in! We found our sinergies under the ROMACTED program as a one of the program when we have structures in 12 Municipality!
Within the framework of the ROMACTED, we th visited Vinica today, in order to offer strategic On the 4 of March, we visited the Municipality of Debar and Kicevo. We had a support and discuss the local and joint action th meeting about the joint plan between the plans. The meeting took place on 26 February community action groups and institutional was attended by Kiro Dovichinski - Local working group of the ROMACTED program Economic Development and Mitko Ilievski – and the possibilities for funding! Secretary of the municipality including Demir Osmanov - ROMACTED Contact Point and CAG representative.
On the 25.03.2019 in the Municipality of ROMACTED received a Certificate of Appreciation from the mayor of the municipality of Gostivar - Mr Kichevo within the ROMACT ED program we had a meeting with the (CAG's) Arben Taravari. This meeting was initiated from the Comunity Action Group where we Community Action Group and organized by the discussed organizing activities for 8 April municipality in its premises. The aim of the meeting and preparing the community for a meeting was to celebrate the #RomaDay2019, discuss the with the municipal officials in order their implementation of the Program and to offer strategic activities to be financed by the support to Gostivar. As part of the strategic municipality. Also, we discussed the future cooperation, the Cabinet of the Minister without
steps and activities that should be Portfolio was represented by Ms Mersiha Usein, who undertaken by the community in presented the funding opportunities and Mr Elvis cooperation with the municipalities. Memeti from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, who spoke about the Roma Information Center and the kindergartens.
On the 28th of March at the Municipality of Kocani, within the framework of the ROMACTED program of the Council of Europe, we had a meeting with the Mayor of the Municipality of Kocani and the municipal working group of the Municipality of Kocani where we discussed several points: 1. The adoption of the Municipality Council of Kocani of the Joint Action Plan for Development of the Roma Community in the Municipality of Kocani for the period 2019 and 2020. 2. Adoption of the Municipality Council of the Local Action Plan for Roma Education for the period from 2019 to 2021. 3. The Municipality of Kocani’s application to the call by the European Delegation for Roma Housing 4. Activities of the Municipality of Kocani to mark the International Day of 8th of April. 5. Accomplished activities for the Roma community with the received funds from the Ministry of Local
Self-Government. It was also talked about the future steps and activities that will be undertaken by the Municipality for the implementation of the Joint Action Plan for Development of the Roma Community in the Municipality of Kocani!
Induction training was organized From action to equal rights for Roma on 18th of April in Skopje for the new members of the ROMACTED Support team, which have been This project seeks to increase the participation
selected in the last Call for Tenders of Roma communities in the FYROM in for facilitators and experts. decision-making that affects their lives. Through consultation and cooperation between Roma
mediators, civil society organizations (CSOs), national and local authorities and legal bodies, the program aims to reduce discrimination against Roma and demand recognition and implementation of their basic rights.
Activities within this project On March 6, 2019 in the premises of The Advocacy meeting with representatives from the Bella Mia restaurant in Tetovo, a Municipality of Debar held on 26th of March focused on workshop was held with NGOs that issues affecting the local community determined during are sub grantees from the third call for the field visits in the settlements in the municipality of granting small grants. This workshop Debar, where the community lives and the identification of was realized as part of the project the necessary steps for dealing with the issues. The From Action to Equal Rights for Roma meeting was attended by representatives of the Funded by the European Union, Municipality of Debar, mediators from the Roma implemented by ADRR Sonce in community working on the field, representatives of the partnership with the Minority Rights Roma community from the respective local communities Group in London. as well as the project team from the Association for Democratic Development of the Roma Sonce-Tetovo. This
meeting was realized as part of the project From Action to Equal Rights for Roma funded by the European Union, implemented by ADRR Sonce in partnership with the Minority Rights Group in London.
In the framework of the project From Action to Equal Rights for Roma, small grants were awarded to four organizations in connection with the third and last call, namely: Roma Cultural and Educational Center Ternipe MK-
Delcevo, Humanitarian and Charitable Association of the Roma Intelligence - Anglunipe , Roma Association "AVENA" and Humanitarian and Charity Association of Roma "Mesecina" Debar. On April 17, 2019, a meeting was held with the Meeting with the Pro-rector of SEEU, the dean and the Deputy Ombudsman and representatives of the pro-dean of the Law Faculty at the South East European National Preventive Mechanism and pro -bonno University in Tetovo within the project From Action to attorneys. This meeting was realized as part of Equal Rights for Roma Funded by the European Union, the project From Action to Equal Rights for implemented by ADRR Sonce in partnership with the Roma Funded by the European Union, Minority Rights Group in London. implemented by ADRR Sonce in partnership with the Minority Rights Group of London.
On March 15, in the premises of ADRR Sonce Tetovo, a meeting was held between the members of Other activities the Forum for Social Dialogue from Tetovo and the project team. The social dialogue forum is being implemented within the project "Mobile team for social inclusion of vulnerable categories in Tetovo" The team of the project "Increasing the funded by the German Agency for International access and participation of Roma children to Cooperation GIZ. quality early childhood development and primary education" held a meeting with the Mayor Mr. Taravari and the Head of Sector Asliana Snopce on March 21, 2019. At the meeting it was discussed in relation to the preschool children education and the specific number of Roma children that will be covered by the Municipality of Gostivar. At the same time the project's future activities in cooperation with all partners were discussed. The project is financially supported by DG Near and Roma Education Fund - Budimpest! Implemented by the Informative meeting with the representatives of
Roma Resource Center - Skopje in citizen associations within the project "Improvement partnership with the Roma Democratic of local policies for ensuring access to justice" Development Association SONCE - Teovo! The same project is regional and is implemented in the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey. In the Republic of Northern Macedonia, it is implemented in the Municipality of Shuto Orizari, Tetovo and Gostivar!
The press conference that was held on 28th February, th organized and supported by 100 civil society An informative meeting was held on 27 February with the representatives of the organisations, had in aim the draft law on prevention local self-government units within the and protection against discrimination that has been frames of the project "Improving local stuck in the Parliament for 8 months. This is the first policies for access to justice" which step of the organizations to express the urgency of project addresses the needs of vulnerable passing this law and its importance to citizens who communities that are denied the exercise of certain rights, the access to certain are the most frequent victims of discrimination. services has been denied to them or are The representative of Roma Advocacy Network discriminated against in the realization of Almira Redzepi Useini said that: certain services by the institutions. “As a representative of the Roma Advocacy Network
of ADDR Sonce, a member of the Roma Lawyers Association, but especially as a representative of the Roma community, I feel responsible to call for the adoption of a new draft Law on Prevention and
Protection against Discrimination, which will undoubtedly establish strong legal guarantees in case of discrimination and providing victims with an effective remedy, especially the Roma community, which historically tolerates systemic, hidden, direct and repeated discrimination in all areas living in the Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic communities, but On 22.03.2019, in the premises of the GIZ especially the Roma community is discriminated in Skopje, the second working meeting for against in access to goods and services (restaurants, the establishment of a National Network cafes, swimming pools, etc.), it is discriminated for representing the interests of returnees against in the field of employment, it suffers from was held in order to define the areas and hate speech and hate crime, and let’s not start talking priorities of the Network, defining the about the 45% of Roma children in Macedonia who strategic goals, the name and potential are enrolled in schools for children with special members of the Network. needs, facts that are confirmed by the reports of HP, CPD, and ECRI.
On 26.03.2019 (Tuesday), within the On 11th April dr. Arif Pini held a meeting project "Increasing the access and ` with the council body of doctors from Tetovo participation of Roma children to quality early childhood development and primary and Skopje within the project “Changing education", the team of ADRR Sonce, narratives amongst health workers”. engaged for its implementation in the municipalities of Tetovo and Gostivar, was on a visit at the kindergarten Mladost - Tetovo the building in Potok where an extension of an existing premise within the kindergarten was renovated, the visit was also made with an intention to monitor the current state and regularity of the children involved in this project. The project is financially supported by DG Near and Roma Education Fund - Budapest! Implemented by the Roma Resource Center - Skopje in partnership The first three-day training for mediators from with the Association for Democratic 8 municipalities in RSM within the project: Development of Roma Sonce - Tetovo! "Promotion of local policies for ensuring The same project is regional and is access to justice", supported by the Open implemented in the countries of the Society Foundation Macedonia and Western Balkans and Turkey. In the implemented by ADRR Sonce Tetovo. The Republic of Northern Macedonia, it is topics of the first training are: right to health, implemented in the Municipality of Shuto health care system, health insurance and
Orizari, Tetovo and Gostivar! protection of patients' rights.
Our work through the implementation of the project: "Good cooperation better doctors" is tasked to enable mutual improvement of the narratives, through mutual improvement of information, communication and understanding. Through this project, the NGO "SONCE " and "IRIZ" enable mutual understanding of the doctor-patient relationship and at the same time familiarize themselves with the everyday problems that both doctors and Roma face as patients. Such work and this approach at the beginning of the project gave positive results and led to the improvement of the narratives together. As an example, we can cite the problem of not prescribing and administering an antibiotic by doctors leading to ve rbal examinations of a doctor-patient relationship and a loss of mutual trust that increases negative narratives. Therefore, through our work and the work of the advisory body, we came to the conclusion that the population should be informed through workshops about antibiotic resistance and that it is not always necessary for them to be writen, and at the same time doctors try to find an appropriate way in their communication with correcting the examination and explaining the danger of improper antibiotic ingestion. After several workshops and advice directed at doctors through the advisory body, progress was made in understanding some patients about the harmfulness of inappropriate antibiotics, thereby improving communication and confidence. That is why the NGO SONCE and IRIZ actively contribute to the improvement of the area for improving the health status by creating conditions for analysis and improvement of the attitudes of the family doctors, mediation in solving the problems between the healthcare workers and the Roma patients, and improving the communication between the healthcare workers and patients by familiarizing their duties and obligations. RDDA SONCE within the project: “Legal strengthening of the Roma community in the western part of the North Republic of Macedonia” in the period January - March 2019 worked in the field of providing paralegal assistance and support in the field of access to the realization of social and h ealth rights, according to the laws of the NRM. Work has been done in order to strengthen the local community in the municipalities of Gostivar and Tetovo regarding the realization of their health and social rights through assessment, information and mobilization of the community, as well as advocacy and lobbying of the interests of the Roma community in front of the institutions of the system. In parallel offices in Tetovo and Gostivar for the period January-March 2019 a total of 57 cases were addressed, which requested assistance, advice, consultations, logistical support, most of which related to health and social protection. During this period, our organization, through the implementation of the envisaged activities, in addition to offering direct help and support to the Roma population, also worked to strengthen the community and advocate for the institutions of the system, especially in front of health institutions.
The main and most important activity of RDDA Sonce in this newsletter is the marking of the 8th of April - International Roma Day The celebration of the 8th of April the International Roma Day in Tetovo began with the setting up of the Roma flag in the pole of the Municipality of Tetovo, followed by a reception with the mayor Mrs. Teuta Arifi, where other representatives of the Municipality were also present. The topic of the discussion was the accomplished projects, the resolved problems within the ROMACTED program, the vulnerable issues of the Roma community and the future issues that will be solved by mutual further cooperation. Unfortunately, there are still municipalities in the North Republic of Macedonia that have never marked the 8th of April! That is why 8th of April 2019 was a historical day, because thanks to the ROMACTED program in the Republic of Northern Macedonia, implemented by ADRR Sonce and the Council of Europe Program Office in Skopje, for the first time the municipalities of Veles and Strumica marked the 8th of April, the International Roma Day. In both municipalities, the key activity was the panel discussion with panelists Denis Selmani from Romalitico, Silhan Saitov from Romaversitas and Daniel Petrovski from 24 Vakti, who discussed about Roma history, Roma identity, Roma language and the inclusion of the Roma community in the creation of public policies. As ending activities of the evening were the musical performances of the young talented Roma and the cocktails were the informal discussion about the future of Roma community continued. Great thanks to 24 Vakti, Romaversitas and Romalitico for their support.
On 8th of May Workshop related to the Law Clinic with there was a students from South East European meeting with the University, Faculty of Law was held on community action the 9th of May as part of the project group of From Action to Equal Rights for Roma ROMACTED funded by the European Union. program at the Municipality of
Debar.
The second workshop was held from 10 - 12 May: Providing paralegal assistance and support for realization of the rights in the field of health care, health insurance and protection of the rights of the patients for the mediators from 8 municipalities in the Republic of North Macedonia included in the project: Local Policies for Providing Access to Justice, supported by the Foundation Open Society Macedonia and implemented by RDDA Sonce Tetovo.
Awarding certificates for successful completion of the online course "Minority Rights and Local Governance" to the participants from the Municipality of Tetovo. The online course was organized by the Roma Democratic Development
Association SONCE-Tetovo and the International Minority Rights Group-London in 2018 as part of the European Union- funded project "From Action to Equal Rights for Roma" to improve the skills and capacities of local government representatives for more effective inclusion of minorities in decision-making processes and public affairs.
A partnership meeting with members of the community action groups, representatives of local authorities, representatives of the Roma civil society and Roma mediators from the municipalities of Vinica, Berovo and Stip was held on 21 May at the Hotel Manastir Berovo.The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen capacities, foster collaborative cooperation, improve existing initiatives for policy participation through exchange of best practice ideas, discuss opportunities for improvement, including the development of more
institutionalized bodies for joint decision-making among action group community, local authorities, the Roma civil sector and the Roma mediators. The partner meeting outlined priorities for 2019 and, designed a joint action between the community action group and the local government unit. This meeting was organized in the frame of the project: From action to equal rights for Roma, implemented by RDDA Sonce and Minority Right Group London.
The Annual Partnership Meeting within the European Union-funded project From Action to Equal Rights for ROma, implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with the Minority Rights Group in London, took place on May 22nd at Radika Hotel in Mavrovo. The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen capacities, foster collaborative collaboration, improve the existing initiatives for policy participation through exchange of best practice ideas, and discuss the opportunities for improvement, including the development of more institutionalized bodies for joint decision -making between action community groups, local authoritie s, the Roma civil sector and Roma mediators. The meeting was attended by members of the community action groups, representatives of local authorities and local institutions, representatives of the Roma civil sector and Roma mediators from the municipalities of Debar, Kicevo and Tetovo.
On the 23rd May the team of the ROMACTED program held a meeting with the representatives from the
cabinet of the Minister without portfolio Muzafer Bajram and with the deputy Samka Ibraimovski for activities they are going to perform together on local level. Within the project "Building stronger local networks to improve the protection of Roma children's rights", the Roma Resource Center in cooperation with RDDA Sonce Tetovo, held a public event promoting the Local Coordination bodies set up under the ROMACTED program concerned with the implementation of the Local Action Plans of the National Strategy for the Improvement of the Situation of the Roma. The event was held on 27.05.2019 (Monday), starting at 12:00 in the premises of Hotel Liraku in Tetovo.
A two-day (28-29.05.2019) workshop with
representatives of the ELS on legal empowerment, community monitoring and legal needs of the population was held within the framework of the project "Improving Local Policies for Providing Access to Justice" implemented by RDDA Sonce and supported by the Foundation Open Society Macedonia.
The representatives from the institutional
working group and the community action group within the ROMACTED program on the 30th of May have presented the joint project proposals for the priorities of the ROMACTED program!
A two day workshop (10-11 June 2019) was held in hotel Scardus, Popova Sapka within the framework of the initiative for forming the Forum for Social
Dialogue of Tetovo Municipality which is organized by RDDA Sonce in partnership with GIZ – Skopje and Municipality of Tetovo. The topics of this workshop are: public advocacy, the similarities and differences of the concepts advocacy and lobbying.
On June 11, representatives of RDDA Sonce and the Minority Rights Group - London met with representatives of the Municipality of Stip. The meeting discussed issues affecting the Roma community identified during field visits in Stip where the community lives and the possibilities for taking certain steps to solve them. The meeting was held within the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma, implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with the Minority Rights Group in London.
On June 12, Mr. Nezir Huseini from the program ROMACTED had a meeting with the Mayor of the Municipality of Debar, Mr. Hekuran Duka. The meeting was also attended by the members of the municipal working group Gazmend Cami, the head of the geo-engineering company Ylli Mizo, the secretary of the municipality of Debar, Fuat Spahiu member of
the Council of the municipality of Debar and Urim Kurtishi, the responsible person appointed by the mayor for the program ROMACTED. The ROMACTED team presented the ROMACTED program to the new mayor, Mr. Hekuran Duka, and the current work of the local action group (LAG).
The first working meeting of the Informal
Returnees Network in the Republic of North Macedonia with NGO representatives was held on 14.06.2019 in Hotel Porta, Skopje. This network is supported by the GIZ office in North Macedonia. The discussions at this meeting resulted in concrete steps, guidelines and instructions for future network activities.
The second Steering Committee of the Joint European Union and Council of Europe ROMACTED Program on “Promoting good governance and Roma empowerment at local level” was held in Skopje on 18 June 2019.
The meeting gathered together representatives from the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), the Council of Europe, the European Union Delegation to North Macedonia, representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Cabinet of the Minister without Portfolio (North Macedonia), mayors from the 12 partner municipalities (North Macedonia), representatives from international organizations, National Roma Contact Points and ROMACTED support teams from seven beneficiaries. The Joint EU / CoE Program is implemented by the Council of Europe`s Roma and Travellers Team and the
Office of the Directorate General of Program in seven beneficiaries of the Western Balkans and Turkey. It aimс at building up political will and sustained policy engagement of local authorities to enhance democratic local governance, while stimulating the empowerment of the local Roma communities to contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring plans and projects concerning them.
Today on 20th June the representative of the European Commission, advisor-coordinator of Roma policy Marta Garcia
Fidalgo, Kristina Vujic from DG NEAR, and the representatives of the Council of Europe Marcos Andrade- ROMACTED Program Manager and, Marina Vasic-Project Officer of the ROMACTED program, had a field visit at the “Mladost” kindergarten in Tetovo, which has been reconstructed and renovated with the support of the project “Increasing the access and participation of Roma children to quality early childhood development and primary education” implemented jointly between Roma Resource Centar - Skopje and RDDA SONCE and financially supported by DG Near and Roma Education Fund. The institutional and community structures of ROMACTED program in the Municipality of Tetovo was also actively involved as a synergy of this initiative. Topic of discussion
was the number of children engaged in this kindergarten, the most common difficulties with which the director of this institution faces every now and then, the organization of classes, the importance given to the chance of having mix classrooms in order to enhance the inclusion of the Roma children and etc. The other part of the field visit included a discussion with the Community Action Group and highlighting the most urgent problems of the community and what needs to be done for them to be resolved in a shorter period of time. The problems were presented by the CAG and the systematic solutions were discussed. The final part of the visit included a meeting with the Mayor of the Municipality of Tetovo, Mrs. Teuta Arifi, to whom the representatives of the ROMACTED program presented the problems
discussed earlier with CAG and asked for solutions to be provided. Mrs. Arifi also had the opportunity to explain to the representatives the progress that has been made until know with collaboration of the ROMACTED team and the Municipality and, the plans for further implementation of the aims of the ROMACTED program.
First day of the First National ROMACTED Workshop was held in Hotel Scardus, Popova Shapka, with the structures of the 12 Municipalities included in the ROMACTED program, the ROMACTED facilitators, the Institutional Working Group and the Community Action Group. On the second day of the First ROMACTED National Workshop the task for the participants was identifying the priorities of the Roma community on local level and reviewing the ways how to incorporate these priorities in the annual working programs of the municipalities. The third and last day of the ROMACTED National Workshop focused on the budget and budgetary cycle at local level, entry points for incorporating Roma and gender sensitive budgeting, upon which was also touched the monitoring and evaluation process of activities that are going to be implemented in the municipalities in order to improve the quality of living conditions for the Roma community. In addition, the participants touched upon specific good practices of mainstreaming of Roma priorities in programming and budgeting. The workshop lasted from the 25th till the 27th June.
On the 4th of July, within the
framework of the health program Good Cooperation Better Doctors, a meeting was held with the doctors from Suto Orizari. The Sonce team and the Iriz NGO
from Skopje conducted field visits with family doctors to improve the Roma patient-doctor
relationship.
Photographs from the field visits in the frame of the project Legal strengthening of the Roma community in the Western part of the Republic of North Macedonia
The Third Annual Network and Strategy meeting of Roma Advocacy Network organized by RDDA Sonce and the
Minority Rights Group London (MRG) was held on July 09 at Hotel Porta in Skopje. The meeting was opened by Ferdi Ismaili, the executive director of RDDA Sonce, who welcomed the attendees and wished them a successful working meeting. Dragi Celevski, a representative of the Ombudsman's Office made a presentation on the published Annual Report of the Level of Ensuring Respect, Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms 2018, with particular reference to the findings of the report concerning the Roma community. Igor Jadrovski, MRF legal officer, spoke about the novelties in the recently adopted Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination. Igor Antevski, representative of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy made a presentation on the novelties in the Law on Social Protection, the Law on Social Security for the Elderly and the Law on Child Protection. The participants initiated a discussion on the possible challenges in implementing the new legal solutions, while the MLSP representative answered the questions posed by the participants. At the end of the meeting the network member organizations had a session on revision of the advocacy plan, the status of realization of the set priority goals and possible new items for inclusion in the plan.
The Third International Advocacy Coordination Meeting of Roma Advocacy Network was held on 10th of July. At today's meeting, Silva Pesic, Human Rights Adviser, Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, gave a general overview of international advocacy within the UN Human Rights Council. She presented a list of UN human rights treaties, the work of the contracting bodies (committees), the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, the functions of the UNHR mechanisms and the reasons for the civil sector's engagement with human rights mechanisms.
It specifically addressed the reporting cycle and procedure and the roles of civil societies in the reporting cycle. MRG legal officer Igor Jadrovski shared experiences of advocacy before the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and made recommendations on how organizations should prepare for advocacy before such bodies. HERA Project Leader Dragana Karovska-Chemerska explained HERA's advocacy process to the UPR and shared some of the concluding observations and recommendations of the Universal Periodic Report (UPR) on Roma rights. The last part of the meeting was focused on identifying the main issues that could be addressed in some of the following reports.
On July 24, representatives from New York City of the Health Care / Paralegal help program together with representatives from the Foundation Open Society were welcomed at the RDDA Sonce premises. During the meeting the project facilitators described their working day and shared positive examples and stories from their working days, what are the most common problems they face and how with their help and intervention problems are resolved. Executive director Ferdi Ismaili explained the work of the organization and shared information on how Sonce staff synergies with projects and has good cooperation in sharing information to solve problems that paralegals face in the field of health, education, social care and other problems affecting the community.
Representatives of RDDA Sonce and the Roma community mediator held a working meeting today with Mr. Sejdin Abazi, Head of the Sector for Communal Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Energy Efficiency in the Municipality of Kicevo. The
meeting discussed a number of needs and challenges identified by the mediator in the field visits to the community and the actual opportunities for the
Municipality to respond to those challenges. This advocacy meeting was held in the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma, implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with the London Minority Rights Group. Representatives of RDDA Sonce and the Roma community mediator held a working meeting today with Mr. Baskim Mashkuli, President of the Council of Debar Municipality and Mr. Gazmend Jami, Head of Geo-engineering in the Municipality of Debar. During the meeting there were discussed the many needs and challenges identified by the mediator in the field visits to the community and the actual opportunities for the Municipality to respond to those questions. This advocacy meeting was held within the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma, implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with Minority Rights Group-London.
The Minister without portfolio Mr. Muzafer Bajram had a meeting with Mayor of Strumica and the structure of CAG of ROMACTED program for future cooperation and supporting the initiative of CAG.
Representatives of RDDA Sonce and the mediator from the Roma community on 16th August held a work meeting with Mrs. Hana Memeti, representative from the Sector for urbanism, communal activities and environment. At the meeting it was discussed about important burning issues for the Roma community at the th Roma settlement like “29 November” and “146”. In these settlements the burning issues are related to the sewerage and water supply infrastructure, so as a consequence the community is lacking basic conditions for everyday needs. These problems are identified from the field visits to the community from the mediator and the Municipality is being asked to solve these problems in the shortest period of time possible. This advocacy meeting was held within the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma, implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with Minority Rights Group-London.
Оn 19th August, representatives of the RDDA Sonce held a national advocacy meeting with the Cabinet of the Minister without portfolio responsible for the implementation of the National Strategy for the Improvement of the Status of Roma in the Republic of North Macedonia, with Minister Muzafer Bajram and counselor Senada Lamovska. The purpose of this meeting was to lobby for issues identified by Roma mediators during field visits and cases reported in virtual centers. The most pressing issues to be lobbied for are: the persistence of segregation in primary schools in some cities, housing problems, sewage and water infrastructure, the collective problem of families living in an old hospital building inhumane and unequal health treatment workers (doctors, paramedics, nurses) towards members of the Roma community. The minister said that the problems are being met and that meetings are being held with the mayors of the municipalities where the problems are most prominent and that some municipalities have already developed a project plan for building houses to solve the housing problem, and if this turns out to be a success the project will serve as a good practice and will be implemented in other cities. The Minister also mentioned that he is always at the disposal of citizens and NGOs and will do everything in his power to assist in any way possible. This advocacy meeting was held in the framework of the European Union- funded project From action to equal rights for Roma, implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with the
Minority Rights Group-London.
Updates from the ROMACTED program in North Macedonia! The priority of the community action group from the ROMACTED program in the municipality of Strumica already started to get implemented. The Municipality of Strumica has invested from its local budget 1.000.000 mkd for the reconstruction of the street Betovenova in the Roma settlement in Strumica. This priority is part of the local action plan and the joint plan of the ROMACTED program in the municipality of Strumica.
On 13.09.2019 in the premises of ADRS Sonce Tetovo was held a coordination meeting of the team of RDDA Sonce and RRC within the project "Increasing access and participation of Roma children for quality early childhood development and elementary education". The aim of the meeting was to be given guidelines for implementing preschooleducation activities and the new component, primary education that includes tutor support for 2019/2020 by project manager Sebihan Demirovski. This project is funded by the European Union / DG NEAR and managed by the Roma Education Fund in Budapest, implemented in partnership with RDDA Sonce.
Оn 17.09.2019 the representative from the European Commission, advisor-coordinator of Roma policy Marta Garcia Fidalgo, the EU Delegation representative Nafi Saracini, RRC representative Ipek Useinova, project officer of the program office of the Council of Europe for North Macedonia Hadis Redjepi and the executive director of RDDA Sonce and national focal point of ROMACTED in North Macedonia, Ferdi Ismaili had a site visit to the Municipality of Vinica where a meeting with the Mayor of Vinica Municipality was held, the benefits of EU projects were discussed, a meeting with the Community Action Group (CAG) also was realized, and a site visit to Roma settlement in the city of Vinica took place later on. The same agenda is foreseen for the Municipality of Veles. for today.
Updates of ROMACTED program in North Macedonia!!! One more community action group priority already start to be implemented!!! From Strumica we are moving now in Municipality of Vinica!!! Investment in the Roma settlement street Ivo lola Ribar with total ammount of 1.5 milion denars from local budget for asphalting of 450 metars! This is one of the prorities of CAG in Vinica!!!
The team of ADRR Sonce held a meeting with the Principal of Bratstvo Baskimi Primary School in Gostivar on 24.09.2019 with the aim of presenting the new component of Tutoring of the Roma first graders in primary education. This meeting was held in the framework of the project "Increasing access and participation of Roma children for quality early childhood development and primary education". This project is funded by the European Union / DG NEAR and managed by the Roma Education Fund in Budapest.
The ADRR Project Sonce Project Coordinator and the Roma community mediator held a working meeting with representatives of the Municipality of Berovo on 27.09.2019. This advocacy meeting was held within the framework of the European Union -funded project Action to Equal Rights of Roma, implemented by ADRR Sun in partnership with the London Minority Rights Group.
The ADRR Project Sonce Project Coordinator and the Roma community mediators held a working meeting with representatives of the Municipality of Vinica on 27.09.2019. This advocacy meeting was held in the framework of the European Union-funded project Action to Equal Rights of Roma, implemented by ADRR Sun in partnership with the London Minority Rights Group
The second working meeting of the Informal Returnees Network in the Republic of Northern Macedonia with NGO representatives took place on (27.09.2019) at Hotel Porta, Skopje. This network is supported by the GIZ office in Northern Macedonia. The discussions at this meeting resulted in concrete steps, guidelines and guidelines for future network work.
ROMACTED North Macedonia hosted the 2nd National Workshop for the members of the Community Action Group and representatives of the local authorities.
From Strumica and Vinica we are moving to the West part of North Macedonia! Congratulations to the Mayor of Municipality of Gostivar Mr. Arben Taravari, the institutional working group and community action group from the ROMACTED program for the implementation of CAG priority for seting up street lighting to the Roma settlement Grudajca!
Proud of our work under ROMACTED program, now in municipality of Kicevo! Thanks to all stakeholders for the process! This is one of good examples how we can working together in order to ensure better conditions of our Roma!!!
The preparatory meeting of the Roma Advocacy Network was held on the 24th and 25th October at the Hotel Romantic, in Veles.
Join activities between institutional working group and community action group of ROMACTED program in municipality of Strumica! Marking the international Romani language day in city library in Strumica!
The RDDA Sonce project team and MRG-London Lawyer held a working meeting on 07.11.2019 with representatives of the Directorate for Development and Improvement of Education in the Languages of Communities where they discussed the challenges regarding the use of Roma lan guage in education and textbooks in Roma language that Sun and MDF addressed on behalf of the Roma Rights Advocacy Network to the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues who will present a thematic report at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council and the UN on the subject: Education, language and human rights of minorities. This advocacy meeting was held within the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with the Minority Rights Group London.
On 11.11.2019, in the premises of RDDA Sonce - Tetovo, a meeting was held between the Director of the Inter - Municipal Center for Social Work - Tetovo, representative of the child rights and the Roma community. The purpose of this meeting was to clarify some of the most pressing problems faced by the Roma community in exercising their rights in the area of: guaranteed minimum assistance, disability allowance, pecuniary assistance and care, educational allowance and more. The community said what problems they encountered most often and representatives suggested solutions to those problems, and how the sun could play the role of mediato r to convey the problems to In the Municipality of Kicevo, the RDDA Sonce project team, the the Center for Social Work and find a quicker Roma community mediator and representatives of the solution. Foundation Open Society - Macedonia met with Mr. Emin Nasufi, Head of the Cabinet of the Mayor of Kicevo. The meeting discussed the implemented projects of the Municipality in the Roma community in 2019, the ongoing infrastructure problems of the families on Prilepska street, the availability of transport to the primary school for children from one of the Roma settlements, the safety of pedestrians on one of the predominantly Roma streets. The meeting also presented the possibility to improve access to justice for vulnerable categories of citizens by establishing a Center for Access to Justice. This meeting was organized within the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma and co-financed by the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia within the project Promoting Local Policies to Improve Access to Justice.
Updates from ROMACTED in North Macedonia!
We continue with the implementation of the priorities of CAG!!! Now we are moving to the Municipality of Veles!!! Thanks to the Mayor, the institutional working group and the community action group of ROMACTED, we start to resolve long term problems with activities for the supporting wall for pervention of land slides at the Roma settlement PRCOREG in Veles!
On November 12, 2019, the RDDA Sonce project team, the Roma community mediator and representatives of the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia in the Municipality of Debar met with Ylli Mirzo - Secretary of the Municipality of Debar, Fuat Spahiu - member of the Council of the Municipality of Debar, - Head of the Debar Municipality Department of Urban Planning and Urim Kurtishi - Roma Affairs Officer. The meeting discussed the installation of a sewage system on one of the streets where the Roma population lives, for which solid guarantees for realization were given by the representatives of the Municipality. The meeting also presented the opportunity to improve access to justice and public services for vulnerable categories of citizens by establishing a Center for Access to Justice. Updates of ROMACTED in North Macedonia! Representatives of the municipality shared that the We had joint initiatives between Municipality of Citizens Service Center already has a similar role in the Berovo, the government of North Macedonia with the municipality. The representatives of EBRD Sonce and Minister without portofolio Mr. Muzafer Bajram and
FOSM discussed the possibility of including paralegals / MP - Mr. Samka ibraimovski ! mediators in the work of this Center given their key role in Infrastructural investment after 20 years and acces to connecting the community with the institutions and water on Roma settlement Prohobcinski in Berovo!!! informing the population. This meeting was organized Field visit and consultation meeting with Roma within the framework of the European Union -funded community in Berovo!!! project From action to equal rights for Roma and co- This is one of best practice initiatives how we can financed by the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia cooperate each other for better live of Roma!!! within the project Promoting Local Policies to Improve Proud to be part of ROMACTED program!!Opre Access to Justice. ROMA!!!
On November 20, 2019, the RDDA Sonce Project Team, the Roma community mediator in the Municipality of Berovo met with the Mayor of the Municipality of Berovo, Mr. Zvonko Pekevski, Head of the Department for Local Economic Development Mr. Gjorgji Peovski and the Head of the Department for Education Mrs. Biljana Markovska The meeting was an overview of the realized activities from the past period. The Roma mediator briefly presented ongoing challenges, as well as project achievements during these three years. The meeting also presented the opportunity to improve access to justice and public services for vulnerable categories of citizens by establishing a Center for Access to Justice. This meeting was organized within the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma and co-financed by the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia within the project Promoting Local Policies to Improve Access to Justice.
On November 20, 2019, the RDDA Sonce Project Team and the Roma community mediators met with the Secretary of the Municipality of Vinica, Mr. Mitko Ilievski, and the Officer for Minority Relations, Mr. Demir Osmanov. This advocacy meeting discussed current education challenges that mediators identified during their outreach work. The secretary also shared future plans for project implementation at the local level. The meeting also presented the opportunity to improve access to justice and public services for vulnerable categories of citizens by establishing a Center for Access to Justice. This meeting was organized within the framework of the European Union-funded From action to equal rights for Roma and co-financed by the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia within the project Promoting Local Policies to Improve On November 21, 2019, the ADRR Sonce project team, the Access to Justice. Roma community mediator and representatives of the Foundation Open Society-Macedonia in the Municipality of Tetovo met with the Secretary of the Municipality of Tetova, Ms. Slavica Serafimovska and the Roma Affairs Officer, Ms. Czefa Che. At the meeting, the Roma mediator mentioned the two most pressing problems that have been lobbying for a long time, and possible ways of solving these problems are being found, such as "29th November" (Krasniqi) street and "146" street. This meeting was organized within the framework of the European Union- funded From action to equal rights for Roma and co- financed by the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia within the project Promoting Local Policies to Improve Access to Justice.
On November 22, 2019, representatives of ADRR Sonce met in the Municipality of Stip with Sonja Kitanova, Secretary of the Municipality of Stip and Erol Ademov, Senior Officer for Community Relations. EBRD representatives Sonce initiated the opportunity to improve access to justice, improve public and legal services for vulnerable categories of citizens by establishing a Center for Access to Justice. This meeting was organized within the framework of the European Union-funded project From action to equal rights for Roma and co-financed by the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia within the project Promoting Local Policies to Improve Access to Justice.
The level of contribution and work that is recognized by the general public is an indicator of how successful we are in our work. Today I had the honor to meet representatives of the British Embassy, during which meeting we exchanged information on the situation of the Roma and opportunities for future strategic cooperation!
The Roma Democratic Development Association Sonce-Tetovo organized a National Roundtable held on 03 December 2019 (Tuesday) at the Hotel Marriott in Skopje.
On 05.12.19 a field visit was held with the Legal Clinic (mobile clinic) in the Roma settlements in the municipalities of Kicevo and Debar, where the students together with the MRG Lawyer and the mediators had the opportunity to talk directly with the persons who were discriminated and victims of human rights violations. This field visit was carried out as part of the project From action to equal rights fror Roma funded by the Europian Union.
On the 12 December we meet with the Chief of cabinet of Mayor in Municipalicity of Gostivar! Part of the Community Action Group priorities will be included in the Local Development Plan and budgeted from the municipal budget for 2020 of Municipality of Gostivar. Many thanks for the contributions of the Community Action Group members including the support of the local authorities.
On 19.12.2019, the representative of the London Minority Rights Group (MRG) and a representative of the RDDA Sonce held an advocacy meeting with the Deputy Ombudsman. The purpose of the meeting was to advocate for the problems faced by the Roma community, which are in the field of interest of the work of the Ombudsman. It was also agreed to jointly submit complaints to international human rights bodies. This meeting was organized within the framework of the European Union- funded project From action to equal rights for Roma, implemented by RDDA Sonce in partnership with MRG.
RDDA SONCE – Tetovo is supported by the following donors:
Аdress: St. Ivo Lola Ribar 381-3 Project office: Dimo Gavroski Kara no.3 1200 Tetovo Republic of North Macedonia Telephone: + 389 (0) 44 35 23 90 e-mail: [email protected] Fax: + 389 (0) 44 35 23 91 web page: www.sonce.org.mk