The The Black & White book ›Typical Roma?‹ is an international campaign addressing stigmati- zation and stereotypes as root causes of social exclusion of Roma. We want to promote a positive image of young Roma in Europe. Therefore, Roma groups from Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Ro- mania and Moldova joined forces in this campaign.
›Typical Roma?‹ was initiated by the European Roma Grassroots Organisation Network (ERGO). Besides international trainings, many national actions, a ›Most Roma-friendly Mayor‹ - competi- tion and many activities during the Roma Summit in Córdoba. Spain, in April 2010, the campaign team produced this Black & White book.
This book is written by Roma youngsters themselves, showing examples of succesful Roma participation in society in South- Eastern Europe. The book also shows examples of places where things went wrong. This is no theory, this is about real life. Read it. And learn from it.
Find out more: www.typicalroma.eu Roma inclusion www.ergonetwork.org www.spolu.nl in South-Eastern Europe www.romayouth.com in practice The
Roma inclusion in South-Eastern Europe in practice
8 Foreword 10 »Typical Roma?« Campaign 12 ERGO Network 14 Most Roma Friendly Mayor
01 Albania 18 Roma Active Albania 19 positive 22 negative 26 MRFM
02 Bulgaria 30 Integro 31 positive 34 negative 37 MRFM
03 Macedonia 42 ROMA 43 positive 45 negative 46 negative 50 MRFM
This book is published by 04 Moldova ERGO and Spolu IF 54 Porojan 55 positive Director: Ruus Dijksterhuis 58 negative Responsible editor: Jeroen Kuiper 60 MRFM Text controller: Paul Wade Design: Julia Sturm 05 Romania 64 CRCR First print: 600 books 65 positive April 2010 68 negative 70 negative www.spolu.nl 72 MRFM www.ergonetwork.org ------www.typicalroma.eu 76 GORD demands NUMBER PERCENTAGE (to total population) Romania 2 400 000 10 % < Bulgaria 800 000 Spain 800 000 5 % < 10 % Hungary 600 000 1 % < 5 % Russia 600 000 Serbia 500 000 0,5 % < 1 % Turkey 500 000 < 0,5 % Slovakia 450 000 France 400 000 Czech Republic 250 000 Macedonia 250 000 Greece 220 000 Ukraine 200 000 United Kingdom 150 000 Germany 140 000 Italy 120 000 Albania 100 000 Bosnia-Herzegovina 80 000 Portugal 50 000 Poland 45 000 Croatia 40 000 Sweden 40 000 Belgium 35 000 Ireland 35 000 The Netherlands 35 000 Switzerland 35 000 Austria 25 000 Moldova 25 000 Kosovo 20 000 Montenegro 20 000 Belarus 15 000 Finland 12 000 Slovenia 10 000 Latvia 8 000 Denmark 4 000 Lithuania 4 000 Norway 4 000 Cyprus 1 500 Estonia 1 500 Luxembourg 150
Source: wikipedia commons Valeriu Nicolae Advocacy Director ERGO
The What is it actually like to be young and nisms of exclusion, hidden discrimination, longer term, discouraging objective report- lished such studies, despite general agree- Black Roma? Roma are the object of an ever- and inaction at work at the local level where ing and critical, but constructive, analysis ment among them that most interventions And White larger body of studies, programs, strategies such policies need to be put into practice. of failures. A flat learning curve like that targeting social inclusion of Roma did not Book k page and policy documents. But how do young means European and national investments achieve expected results. A serious, critical page Roma experience their lives? How can they Such insights need to find their way into in Roma inclusion will continue to achieve assessment of bad practices can only im- to shape their own future? And what are, policy design, implementation, and moni- far below their potential. prove the way money is spent and increase according to them, examples of successful toring. Although many negative case stud- the impact of social inclusion measure for and failed approaches to promote Roma ies are available, they are not properly dis- It is remarkable that, up to this moment, Roma in Europe. Collecting and promoting inclusion? seminated and applied to real life practices. not a single case study of the European good examples becomes meaningful only if Conversely, concentrating on successes Commission has focused on assessing failed we dare to look at what’s going wrong. This Roma youngsters from five European coun- affects European efforts to contribute to projects. Nor have other stakeholders pub- book is but a first step into this direction. tries, both members and non-member states Roma inclusion as well. Beyond any doubt, of the European Union, joined forces under the entry into the EU of countries with a the banner of ›Typically Roma‹ to challenge significant number of Roma brought dra- stereotypes of Roma in their own towns and matic improvements in the lives of many cities. They also took a critical look at their Roma. But most of the money invested own environment to present this collection by the EU and member states in the social of stories - good and bad - about their situa- inclusion of Roma has produced limited if tion, policies and projects that target them, any positive results. and about the attitudes and approaches of local authorities. Although large sums of money are involved, the existing EU monitoring and assessment ERGO Network believes these stories have mechanisms are »too diplomatic«. The result a wider relevance as the anecdotal insights is a paper balloon of positive projects and they offer are rarely found in policy evalu- achievements, while, at the level of Roma ations. Roma figure prominently in ›best communities, results are considerably less practice‹-studies, but these are only part of visible. Governments or implementing or- the picture. When policy makers look for ganisations exaggerate results of partially or the reasons why ›best practices‹ are relevant, even totally failed projects. Similar projects they also need to be asking why those other receive money in a next round of funding so practices are ineffective and how they can that mistakes get repeated, not sanctioned. be overcome. This book shows the mecha- This has a profoundly negative effect in the The Black And White Book k page 10 page 11
What is ›Typical Roma?‹ It is up to you ›Most Roma-friendly Mayor‹ in Romania to answer this question. For us, ›Typical as a part of the campaign«, she says. Roma?‹ is an international campaign which addresses stigmatization and stereotypes as For a positive image of Roma root causes of social exclusion of Roma. We in Europe want to promote a positive image of young Roma are European citizens. Nevertheless, Training & capacity-building most Roma-friendly mayor? The competi- Roma in Europe. Therefore, Roma groups they face structural discrimination and The ›Typical Roma?‹ campaign also trains tion was announced in several communities. from five European countries started the marginalization. Prejudices and stereotypes volunteers who want to learn and develop Participating mayors answered a question ›Typical Roma?‹ campaign on January 27th are widely spread and remain often unques- new, creative and innovative methods of list. The winning mayor in each country this year in Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, tioned in the media, in politics and in so- campaigning, in order to visualize the in- was selected by an independent committee Romania and Moldova. Of course, our ciety. According to ERGO, stigmatization formation on discrimination and stigma- and announced during national events in preparations for the campaign started al- of Roma and anti-gypsyism are some of the tization and make it accessible to a broad the middle of March. The winning mayors ready months before. main causes of social exclusion. public on national and European level. In will go to the Roma Summit in Cordoba, ›Typical Roma?‹ ( www.typicalroma.eu) is Roma and non-Roma should take their November 2009, for instance, we held a Spain, in April 2010. an international campaign, initiated by the responsibility as equal citizens in ONE three-day meeting in Veles in Macedonia European Roma Grassroots Organisation society. We should create trust and respect with a dozen young Roma from the five EU Roma Summit in April 2010 Network (ERGO). The campaign addresses for diversity and fight discrimination and participating countries. In the middle of During the EU Summit on Roma issuies in stigmatization and stereotypes as root causes stigmatization. Striving for a better life for January this year, a five-day training for 25 Córdoba, Spain, in April 2010, independent of social exclusion of Roma. The campaign ALL in ONE society, we have to stress that Roma youngsters on creative campaigning Roma youth organisations and ERGO will raises the awareness for active citizenship of not Roma are the problem, but their mar- followed in Sofia in Bulgaria. organise a training for 40 Roma youngsters ALL in ONE society and intends to pro- ginalization, discrimination and bad social from all over Europe for a week. During the mote a positive image of Roma. situation. Therefore, we have to address the Campaign actions training, the youngsters will prepare mate- »Roma are often not accepted as equal citi- root causes of their social exclusion: stigma- In each of the five participating countries, rials and actions for the Summit. Further, zens, and are refused one of the universal tization and stereotypes concrete campaign actions were realized during the Summit, this Black & White human rights, namely the right to a digni- on local and national level. The ›Typical book with examples of Roma inclusion will fied and worthy life«, according to Mustafa What happened? Roma?‹ campaign focused on creative and be presented. Jakupov from R.O.M.A, the youth branch The first phase of the campaign was dedi- innovative grassroots and media actions, in of Roma Progres, from the Macedonian city cated to research in order to identify and order to fight stereotypes. In some - coun Participating organisations of Kratovo. Jakupov: »Young Roma want to analyze the key elements of stigmatization tries, for instance, our campaigners played Participating organisations in the ›Typical stand up and have their own say.« Cristina and exclusionary mechanisms in all coun- with ›inclusion zones‹ in the city centres. Roma?‹ campaign are: Integro from Bulgaria, Martocian, the 25 year-old coordinator of tries. This »Black & White Book« publishes RAA from Albania, R.O.M.A. from Mace- ›Typical Roma?‹ in Romania, agrees with positive and negative examples of grassroots Most Roma-friendly Mayor donia, CRCR from Romania and Porojan him. »We want to focus on positive devel- mobilization in the fight against social ex- Each participating country organised a and Tarne Rom from Moldova. opments. Therefore, we are selecting the clusion. competition: which community has the such networks and activities and we want of change. At the European level, ERGO to continue to do so in the next five years. strives for effective Roma inclusion policies Another priority will be support for an in- which recognize the importance of full par- ternational Roma youth campaign, similar ticipation of Roma as equal stakeholders. to the »Typical Roma?« campaign. The Advocacy Programme of ERGO - fo cuses on four priority issues. The first one The The European Roma Grassroots Organi- Local Policy Monitoring is called EU Policies Bottom-Up. The Eu- Black sation (ERGO) is a network of Roma and Programme ropean Union regards Roma inclusion as an And White non-Roma organisations focused on the In 2009, the GORD Roma grassroots net- important issue, but too often action plans, Book k page 12 empowerment and grassroots mobilisation work from Bulgaria held a quick scan in 21 programmes and initiatives thought up in page 13 of Roma. ERGO consists of seven member municipalities in Bulgaria. The aim of this offices in Brussels and European capitals do and associate organizations mainly active in research was to overview the implementa- not fit the situation of Roma. ERGO wants South-Eastern Europe and cooperates with Through empowerment and grassroots mo- tion of Roma policy at the local level. The to reveal actual obstacles to Roma inclusion many more organizations. We promote ac- bilisation ERGO strives for active citizen- results from this quick scan were alarming and suggest how policies should be changed tive citizenship as a way for Roma to find ship. Grassroots mobilisation is a process as it became clear there are very few actions to have a greater impact. a respected place in society. In order to de- which brings people together and enables taken for Roma inclusion at local levels in Our second priority is Human Resources. velop a strong Roma grassroots movement, them to fight for a common cause. Our Bulgaria, and if there were, were often times ERGO wants a targeted component in EU ERGO supports activism and leadership main goal is to mobilise Roma in different haphazard and uncoordinated. The research programmes for Human Resources Devel- among the Roma at all levels of society. We countries in order to help them to organ- also showed that in most cases local au- opment to help Roma individuals advance create opportunities for Roma to have their ise themselves, to identify priorities, and thorities lack long-term visions and plans to through the EU structure by taking up key voices heard. to bring them on the political agenda of overcome Roma exclusion. positions in public administration or by as- responsible institutions at different levels. During a national round table organised suming leadership roles in business and civil Grassroots Since most Roma policies are created on by GORD and ERGO member Integro society. This avant-garde of professional The central component of the ERGO phi- the highest national level, we promote a in 2009, members of Roma grassroots net- Roma would then serve as role models and losophy is the concept of the mobilisation bottom-up approach, which take into ac- works from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey, examples. of Roma at the grassroots level. This concept count the grassroots priorities. and Albania expressed their concern about The third priority focuses on support for plays a central role in ERGO’s programmes the lack of mechanisms for engaging lo- grassroots NGOs. A long-term investment in advocacy, youth and local policy moni- Roma Youth Programme cal authorities in Roma inclusion policies. in civil society is needed to develop the ca- toring. ERGO developed a multi-annual Roma Through its Local Policy Monitoring Pro- pacity of Roma communities to fulfill their What does ERGO mean »grassroots mo- youth programme for the period 2010 gramme, ERGO wants to change this situa- stakeholder roles, particularly those NGOs bilisation«? We invest in the empowerment - 2015. This programme invests in Roma tion. One of the main elements of the pro- which can monitor policy implementation. and mobilisation of Roma at the grassroots youngsters from across Europe as they will gramme will be capacity building aimed at The EU should provide financial support level by supporting activism and leadership. be the future generation which will improve increasing citizenship awareness and moni- for such organizations. Empowerment is a process which enables the standing of Roma in European society. toring skills of local Roma activists. This ERGO’s fourth priority is the fight against people to take control of their own lives As myriad and complex identity issues are a includes trainings, consultations by experts »anti-Gypsyism«. Equal citizenship of Roma and act together to produce change. Our key factor in many Roma youngsters’ lives, in local communities, exchanges, and peer- will remain an illusion as long as Roma face concept of empowerment is based on a the youth programme aims to address such learning among the activists. open discrimination, racism, and even vio- process-oriented approach which focuses issues, as well as the roles of youth activism ERGO also wants to increase the involve- lence. The EU should commit to effective on the mechanisms of change that provide and responsibility. ment of local authorities through exchanges action to combat »anti-Gypsyism« by all Roma with the possibility of overcoming One focus in the Youth Programme is the between local authorities from different available legal means. It also needs to recog- stigma and equipping them to better ne- support of an international Roma youth countries and by organising workshops for nize the specific character of anti-Romani gotiate their interests in society. The work network which meets regularly and func- them in cooperation with Roma activists. practice and discourse, which would other- carried out by our partner organisations is tions as a platform for exchange for Roma ERGO plans to monitor local policies, pro- wise continue to cripple inclusion efforts. long-term and oriented towards sustainabil- youth groups from across Europe. Another grammes and projects focused on Roma. ity. ERGO believes the main priority is the area of focus will be support for national Further information process of long-term change, rather than and regional Roma youth initiatives and Advocacy Programme Please take a look here: short-term solutions. activities. ERGO and its member organisa- The ERGO Network works to empower www.ergonetwork.org tions have much experience in supporting Roma communities to be the driving force MRFM INTRO DUCTION
The Black And White One of the most successful events of the Questions Book page 14 »Typical Roma?« campaign was the »Most Here are the questions we asked to the Roma-Friendly Mayor« competition which mayors: was organized in the five participating coun- 1. Describe your municipality, giving spe- tries of the campaign: Bulgaria, Albania, cial attention to the Roma minority. Macedonia, Romania and Moldova. On the 2. Atmosphere: How is the interethnic at- next pages, you can read the stories about mosphere in your municipality? the five winners. And yes, these stories show Describe points and events of encounter & that amazing results are achieveable! Before dialogue between Roma and non-Roma. getting into these exciting stories, we would What is your contribution for that? however like to explain the concept of the How do local authorities deal with the »Most Roma-Friendly Mayor« competition. Roma community? What was it all about? How is the level of trust between authorities and communities (looking at decision-mak- Making the chain of informa- ing, implementation and collaboration)? tion work 3. Participation & Dialogue: How do you The idea of the competition was to strength- involve and strengthen the participation of en the dialogue between municipalities and the Roma community? Roma communities and make best practice How many times has the mayor visited the 6. Education: How is the school situation Prize examples visible. By describing the best Roma communities? of Roma children and youth and what sup- The winner from each country was invited practices of Roma inclusion on a grassroots Are Roma being represented in the council port have you given to education? by »Typical Roma?« to travel to Spain and level in South-Eastern Europe and by bring- of the commune or municipality? 7. Why would your Roma community se- attend the Roma Summit in Córdoba where ing these stories to the EU Roma Summit 4. Roma Strategy: What do you know lect you as »most Roma-friendly mayor«? the Mayors had discussions with Roma in Córdoba, Spain, on April 8th andf 9th about the National Roma Strategy? youngsters, had a meeting with the Mayor 2010, we tried to build a »chain of informa- What have you done so far related to that Selection committee of Córdoba, held discussions with Members tion« from the grassroots level, all the way and in general for the Roma community? In February of 2010, the participating NGOs of European Parliament, participated in the to the highest political levels in reality. In Performance of the municipality: How announced the competition during press presentation of this Black & White book, order to make this »chain of information« have you fulfilled and worked with the de- conferences, in the national media, on TV, participated in the Summit, and of course function, we brought all five winning may- mands of the communities (during the last radio, through the internet, and by personal enjoyed the beautiful city of Córdoba. ors to the Roma Summit. mandate)? meetings. After this, an independent se- In order to come to an objective decision Finances, evaluating spending: What are lection committee was constituted in each Future about who the most Roma-friendly mayor the actual and future investments (plans) country. Usually, in these committees, jour- We received many enquiries about the Most is in each country, the participants in the for the Roma minority (objective, goals and nalists got a seat, one young Roma, an in- Roma-Friendly Mayor competition from all »Typical Roma?« campaign agreed on a list priorities of the municipality for the Roma dependent advisor on minority issues, and over Europe. We hope to be able to repeat of questions that had to be answered by the minority)? a Roma expert. This worked very well. In the competition next year and expand the participating municipalities. 5. Employment: How many Roma are the middle of March, the winners were an- concept to other countries as well. employed in the municipality and in what nounced in each country during national positions? press events. 01 positive written by: Flora LLakatund had finished and the staff of RAA had left, the people continued to discuss. »What did they say? Was it something about empow- Roma Active erment, standing up for our rights, estab- Albania (RAA) lishing contacts with the authorities, being active, organising ourselves?« The Spolu’s partner Roma Active Albania (RAA) This is the story of my community. It`s a Black is a key player in Albanian Roma civil soci- positive story, demonstrating that changes For a couple of days, the people spoke only And White ety. RAA is for instance the informal coordi- are possible. about this issue. The more they discussed Book k page 18 nator of the Roma Federation, a conglomer- with each other, the more they became page 19 ate of Albanian Roma NGOs. RAA is one Llakatund is a village close to the Albanian convinced that the time had come for us of the founding members of the ERGO city of Vlora. Seventy Roma families live to raise our voice, to tell everyone that we, network and is involved in the decade of here. The economic situation of the people Roma people, live in this society too. Not Roma inclusion. living here deteriorated with the decline everybody accepted the challenge. Some RAA is one of the initiators of the setting up RAA supports networks and groups consist- of the communist regime. After that, the people were sceptical, others wanted imme- of an informal European Roma youth net- ing of Roma leaders, youth, and women. Roma faced a challenging reality. Although diate results, but all of us were aware that work, in which Roma youth groups from RAA coaches two regional networks in the Roma families were entitled to land plots as only by being empowered would we be able about eight European countries participate. region of Fier and Korça. Both networks are provided by law, only a few of them man- to stake a position in our own society. Furthermore, RAA supports several Roma coordinated by regional co-ordinators who aged to generate economic profit. Attempts youth groups in Albania and focuses on empower local leaders to assess and monitor to integrate into social life like other people raising the capacity of many Roma young- the implementation of local policies in or- seemed impossible for the Roma. sters in Albania. der to enhance actions towards authorities and institutions in their regions. Get organised For many years, the Roma learned to coexist with their problems and the indifferent atti- tudes of the mainstream society. Sometimes a non-governmental organisation came into the village to distribute aid or to organise trainings. However, the situation only re- ally changed when the NGO Roma Active Albania (RAA) started to work in our com- munity for and with us. Almost the entire community participated in the first com- For further information: munity-oriented meeting in March 2006. Roma Active Albania During the meeting, everybody spoke up Rruga Myslym Shyri 117/2 and introduced different needs and require- Tirana ments. Albania »We want aid, we want houses, we want Director: Adriatik Hasantari tractors to plough the land, we are unem- We started to organise weekly meetings, Tel: (355) 4 264822 ployed, we want you to repair the road, we which became a community tradition. We Email: [email protected] need money for the schoolbooks of the chil- elected a local board which was responsible dren, we want a better life«, were the state- to represent us and to be the voice of the ments made by the Roma from our commu- community. We contacted the local author- nity. I remember very well that this meeting ities and presented them with our request disappointed many of us. After the meeting for cooperation. Young people and women established self-organising groups. We vis- Roma clothes for the preservation of the has to be done, I am proud that now there ited other Roma communities and saw how tradition, cleaning the community area in are voices asserting their rights. Not to men- they solved their problems; we learned and the framework of a clean environment and tion, these voices are coming from different encountered each other’s support. which concerned us; the discrimination we celebrating March the 8th (International places; from young people, women, elderly suffered and the rights we were entitled to Women`s Day) to promote their rights in people, leaders and children. This voice will More than just nice words according to the law. the community and society. not fade even if NGOs will not support the The Nothing of all this was easy. Each minor or community any longer. I now feel confident Black major improvement was achieved through We love education No aid, but long-term that within the community there will always And White sacrifices and persistence by the Roma peo- The commune recently supported us with changes be people who will continue to struggle to Book k page 20 ple from Llakatund and with the support the establishment of a community center Another positive development I must men- improve their life, to contribute, and to page 21 of Roma Active Albania. Initial steps for and it solved the problem of the absence of tion is when for the first time the commu- help heighten local authorities’ awareness the establishment of cooperation with the a cemetery for the Roma community. Each nity refused economic aid by a non-gov- of their responsibility. With our achieve- local authorities showed us that not every- year it now donates funds to celebrate Saint ernmental organisation. The local board ments, though modest as they might seem, I thing was easy. During the first meeting in George as a way to preserve Roma tradition addressed the organisation that offered aid am more optimistic about our future. a very friendly atmosphere, the chief of the and promote a peaceful coexistence with in the following way: »Maybe you will find commune assured us that we enjoyed his the non-Roma community. One Roma per- people in the community who want aid and I wish that anyone who reads this story will full support. However, when the moment son even became part of the commune staff. may need them, but this is not a solution. depart with the following message: »Let came to provide us with concrete support, The commune now offers free schoolbooks We do not want aid, we want long-term us try to build this society where everyone the commune gave up. We listened to the to the children. Furthermore, two represen- changes. We are ready to cooperate but not must have opportunities and chances to same words everywhere: »We would like tatives from the Roma community started in this way. Economic aid makes us weak; be someone. A place where parents shall to help you but we do not have any funds. to attend the meetings of the commune we want to be our own masters. Aid is not be proud of their children, where a young What about your organisation, aren’t they council. The chief of the commune visited our priority as it offers us neither rights nor person does not feel sorry that he was born supporting you?« the community several times and promised a better position in the society«. as a Roma, where a Roma child may have that he would provide funds to cover some the possibility to play and grow up along- During a month, we went to the commune priorities of our community while taking Although the community where I live con- side other children in the society without office each day to explain our needs and -re into consideration our recommendations tinues to have problems and still much work restrictions due to the colour of his skin.’« quirements. Only in this way we managed and the national strategy on improvement to obtain the support of the commune and of the living conditions of Roma minority. make it aware of the role it had play in rela- tion to us as a whole community. The first The young Roma in the community have step of cooperation was the implementation also taken up an active role. Since the cre- of two projects in the community: road ation of the group of young people, they paving and the construction of garbage have carried out a series of sports and cul- containers. The commune together with tural activities. Their most recent initiative RAA invested in these two projects. It was was the organisation of the campaign »We the first time that the commune invested in love education«. The campaign encouraged the Roma community of Llakatund. discussions in the community about the importance of education and cooperation While we managed to build up good rela- with the school teachers. tions with the commune authorities, after the local elections a new chief of commune Many women get together each week in was elected and new staff came into power. the community center and discuss their Due to this, we had to start everything from problems and concerns. They have become scratch again. However, we did not give up aware of the need to adopt an active ap- and we followed the same procedure. We proach and now they contribute to a lot of organised meetings to discuss the problems activities, such as the sewing of traditional negative written by: Valbona Dervishi
The Black ation in their community. The discussions And White The Roma community of Nishtulla is situ- focused on empowerment as a way to bring Book page 22 ated about six kilometres from the coastal changes by being active and offering per- city of Durres. It is one of the most impor- sonal contributions. tant urban centres in Albania. However, Capacity building among Roma women the welfare situation here is clearly different After the meeting, Roma Active Albania from the rest of the Albanian society. (RAA) came back to Nishtulla. Within one The Roma community in Nishtulla has year, RAA coached and strengthened the been suffering from the lack of running local Roma women. During that period, water for fifteen years. Women supply their women were involved in training seminars, households with water twice a day and have in exchanges of experiences, in workshops to walk two hours from their homes. If they and in different activities. The goals of these don`t do this, they have to buy the water activities were to build up the capacity of from private companies. the Roma women and to develop their lead- Governmental institutions have never ership skills. Further, RAA wanted to devel- showed any interest in solving this critical op the level of critical thinking of the Roma problem. With the exception of promises women and to improve their social skills. ernmental institutions. During one month, they decided to start protests. It took an- by politicians during election campaigns, By doing this, the women could become the Roma women of Nishtulla met with other month for the women to organise an the requests of the local Roma community engaged in community-oriented issues and several representatives from water supply assembly in front of the municipality build- to find a solution for the water problem start advocating for their rights in society. authorities at the district, county, and mu- ing. Other Roma women from Fier, Tirana, were always ignored. For fifteen years, this nicipal levels. Unfortunately, these meetings and Vlora joined the protest in support of has been the situation in Nishtulla where Such accompanying processes with their turned out to be merely bureaucratic delays the women from Nishtulla. 200 Roma families live. ups and downs provided the opportunity to by the institutions, which passed off their Irena Selimaj, a Roma woman from Tirana the Roma women to be involved in initia- responsibility to others. In the end, noth- has her own opinion about the situation in Community meeting tives such as the school discrimination at ing was achieved. It took another month Nishtulla; »The municipality has to support In 2009, in an effort to establish a »moth- schools against Roma children. They also of meetings for the women to be informed Roma communities through policies and er’s centre«, the organization Roma Active focused on community awareness about the that the municipality of Durres was respon- programmes. That is the reason why we are Albania organised a community meeting importance of education, advocacy work sible to solve the problem of running water. participating in this protest and supporting with the women from Nishtulla. The meet- to establish an exhibition area of Roma However, this minor achievement was not the women here. It’s time to stop regarding ing was very challenging and in retrospect, culture in the national historic museum, very instrumental, as the only person in Roma as second-hand citizens«. can be seen as a turning point. During the and they organised cultural activities for the municipality with whom negotiations Flora Lloshi, a Roma woman from Llak- meeting, the women from Nishtulla revolt- the preservation and development of Roma would take place, was the mayor. Fixing an tund in Vlora county, asked herself: »Why ed against the indifference they have suf- identity. Furthermore, they contributed to appointment with the mayor turned out to do Roma people have to protest to be on fered from the state and society for so many the creation of a national network of Roma be impossible, as his agenda was always full the agenda of the local institutions? I can’t years. It was dramatic to hear 50 women in women. and he did not have the possibility to talk find a reason to justify the inactivity of the the meeting saying the same thing: »There with the Roma women. municipality. There is a need to start a real is no hope for us, nobody and nothing can No meeting with the mayor dialogue with the Roma community«. change our life.« Still, one of the most problematic issues the Protesting Roma women Klara Xhaibra, a leader from the Roma During the meeting, discussions developed women wanted to solve was the lack of run- from all over Albania women group in Nishtulla said. »What about the role of Roma women in improv- ning water. Thus, they set up a representa- After a long series of meetings, the women about our future? How many more years do ing their lifes and about improving the situ- tive group to organise meetings with gov- realised they didn`t have much to lose, so we have to wait to be treated based on equal- ity? We are not asking for employment, we are not asking for social assistance, we are not asking for better infrastructure, we are not asking for housing, we don’t need posi- blame them for their problematic situation. tive discrimination, we are only asking for It is a hard but not impossible challenge water supply which is one of the most es- to stand up against social marginalization, The sential needs for our daily life and it’s the re- and to aim at the elimination of barriers for Black sponsibility of the municipality to provide equal opportunities. And White running water«. The state should provide basic services to its Book page 24 After four hours of protesting by 70 Roma citizens. We learn this concept at school, in women, the mayor agreed to speak with the society and in daily life. Yet, when the them. Although a delegation of the Roma state abandons you, denies your existence women afterwards had several meetings and does not allow you to practice your with the mayor, the final response from citizenship, then what hope remains? the municipality concerning the delivery of Although the Roma women from Nishtulla running water remained negative. Accord- so far did not achieve their goal to get run- ing to the mayor, he had only limited pub- ning water into their community, they have lic resources available, so he could not solve not given up and they are planning meet- the problem. ings with the highest governmental institu- tions. They will continue to protest until Still no running water their issue is solved. People often say that Roma suffer from a lack of awareness and organisation. Main- stream society often stigmatizes Roma; they MRFM written by: Valbona Dervishi ALBANIA nize integrated summer camps where Roma The Mayor regularly visits the Roma and non-Roma children play and learn to- In collaboration with the Regional Em- gether. The summer camps have been very ployment Office, many young Roma are fruitful in the field of integration as these trained in career fields such as electricity, camps make it easier for the children to ac- plumbing and tailoring (for girls). Further, cept different traditions and cultures. the Municipality has given support to cul- The palities were Elbasan, Lezhe, Berat, Korca Another measure in the field of education tural and social activities of community- Black and Maliq. The participating communes is the special agreement between the De- based (Roma) organisations. Every year the And White were Levan and Komuna –Qender. partment of Education and the Korca Mu- Union of Roma in Korca is supported with Book k page 26 The most Roma-friendly Mayor from Alba- In the end, the selection committee de- nicipality. This agreement is the first of its funds to organise festivals, such as April 8th page 27 nia is to be found in the city of Korca; a cided that the winner of the competition kind in Albania; the central and local gov- (International Day of Roma), and Er’Delezi place in the south of Albania with 59.000 was Mr. Niko Peleshi, the Mayor of Korca. ernment agree to plan activities and share (San Giorgio Day). inhabitants. Before the Albanian selection According to the selection committee, Ko- information in the interest of children. A committee made their choice, they started rca presented the most serious application. joint group of these two institutions has Since the beginning of his term, the Mayor the competition with an announcement The application expresses a clear vision for drafted terms of reference which oblige the began individual visits to poor neighbour- on February 20th 2010. On that day, the the future if compared to the other applica- different parties to identify and resolve all hoods in the city and areas where Roma regional office of the NGO Roma Active tions. cases where children drop out of school. live. Visits to Roma families have been an Albania (RAA) in Korca announced the In the framework of child protection, Korca important part of the Mayor´s agenda. His start of the »Most Roma-friendly Mayor« Roma mediators has made many investments in suburban public speeches focus on integration and competition. During a press conference One of the strong policy measures taken in neighbourhoods where a large part of the the importance of education of the Roma that day, Mr. Erion Jakupi, the regional co- favour of the Roma in Korca was the deci- Roma families live. The municipality built community. They have played an important ordinator of RAA, explained regional and sion to install two mediators. One of them playgrounds to prevent the Roma children role in promoting the values of this com- national media the concept of the competi- is a Roma and the other one comes from the to play or work in areas unsuitable for their munity and are part of the comprehensive tion. »For the first time in Albania we are Egyptian community. The mediators are age. This is a project of Korca with the sup- policy of the Municipality of Korca. glad to announce the start of the ›Most employed as specialists by the social service port of UNICEF. Roma-friendly Mayor‹ competition. This directorate. They are responsible for bring- activity is part of ›Typical Roma?‹, an inter- ing the voice of their communities towards national campaign to respect the citizenship the policy makers. of all in one society. With this competition, Another positive initiative of the last years we hope to build up a tradition, to continue has been the so called »participatory budget- this activity every year as a way to start a real ing«, in which the inhabitants of all quarters dialogue between local authorities and the can propose activities and investments nec- Roma community in our country«. essary for their community. Roma have been After this announcement, another regional involved in this activity although their par- Roma office in Fier launched the competi- ticipation could still be further improved. tion through announcements on TV sta- tions. For one week; the Albanian TV sta- Education for Roma tion, Apollon, displayed the advertisement In the field of education, the Municipality of the »Typical Roma?« campaign and the has supported the establishment of a Roma »Most Roma-friendly Mayor« competition community kindergarden. The Municipal- twice per day. ity is covering all operating costs of the kin- RAA sent information about the competi- dergarden and is also organising this kin- tion to eight municipalities and six com- dergarden (where 60% Roma children go) munes in different regions of Albania. Five as an example in the city. The Korca munic- municipalities and two communes sent ipality also makes funds available, together back their application forms. These munici- with international organizations, to orga- 02 ALBA NIA positive written by: Ognyan Isaev
The Huddled at the foothills of the Pirin Moun- No contact with the munici- Black tains, the town of Bansko attracts both Bul- pality And White garians and foreigners. This place has pre- After three hours of venting their frustra- Book k page 30 served the balance between ecology, flora, tions, Lilia asked them, »OK, I under- page 31 fauna, and national character, combined stand that you have many problems, but with folklore and old Bulgarian architec- what have you done thus far to solve them? ture. The inhabitants of this winter resort Have you ever visited the mayor to present town number some 8,500 people. More your problems and insisted that they have than 500 of them are Roma. Until a few to be solved?« According to Lili, during years ago, the Roma in Bansko were having first meetings people always complain and similar problems as Roma in other Bulgar- blame others for their problems. In addi- Integro ian towns: insufficient housing, bad streets tion, when you ask them this question, they in their neighborhood, limited access to ser- usually answer: »Who are we, who will pay The Bulgarian Roma NGO ›Integro‹, from For the next three years, Integro is planning vices and discrimination. However, in No- us any attention?!« Then Lilia and Milena the city of Razgrad, started with a ›Youth to develop the ›Youth Development Pro- vember 2006 Lilia Makaveeva and Milena asked them how exactly they have presented Development Programme‹ in 2004. This gramme‹ in the following directions: Ilieva from the Roma association Integro their problems at the municipality. The lo- programme has the aim to stimulate the Bul- from the city of Razgrad visited them for cal Roma could not answer this question. garian Roma youth to organise themselves in • Stimulating the civil activeness of the young- the first time. Lilia is the Executive Director Apparently, somebody had said something groups by their interests in order to let the sters through developing critical thinking and of Integro and Milena had just started to to the mayor at some moment, but exactly youngsters implement their activities. After socially responsible positions in the society work as a coordinator at Integro. what and when did not become clear. It did the beginning of the youth programme, we • Raising the number of students in second- become clear however that the Roma had started to organise exchange visits between ary schools through ensuring support in the During the first three hours the Roma vent- never visited the municipality to present different self-organised Roma youth groups. framework of secondary education ed and described all their problems; there their problems as an organised group. Usu- We also organised common summer camps. • Creating a strong network of active youth was a lack of housing for the families, a ally, before elections, when the mayor went In 2006, we started with the creation of an through organising common activities and need for sports grounds for the children, to see them, they mentioned their prob- informal network of Roma youth and or- campaigns. and computers and internet access for the lems, but more or less chaotically, with yells ganised a series of activities to increase the Roma youth. Furthermore, they were con- and shouts, and after the mayor went away, capacity of the youth. For further information: cerned about the bad infrastructure in most the problems just remained the same. In order to become role models in their Integro Association of their neighborhood. Unlike with most When asked why they did not go to meet community, it is very important to stimulate 2, Buzludzha Street other communities, most of the Roma in the mayor as a group, the Roma answered the Roma youth to visit secondary schools. 7200 Razgrad Bansko worked and unemployment was that they couldn’t unite. The Roma also said In order to raise the number of students in Bulgaria not the foremost issue. »After this first that each of them looks after his or her own the secondary schools, we started a special meeting, my head swell as a balloon from interest and is not interested in the others. programme called ›Support for Secondary Director: Lili Makaveeva their complaints«, said Lilia Makaveeva. »And even if we succeed to get organised Education‹. Parallel to that, we started to Tel/fax: (359) 84 661493 »Lili, how can you endure all this? They and arrange a meeting with the mayor, usu- organise meetings between students from Email: [email protected] only complain. They don’t want to think ally at the meeting we don´ t succeed to say secondary schools and students from uni- website: www.integrobg.org that they also have a responsibility to re- what we want«, said the Roma present at versities, in order to bring the secondary solve their problems!« said Milena to Lilia. the meeting. It became clear that the Roma school pupils in contact with possible role This was their first meeting with the Roma from Bansko were not capable of formulat- models and mentors. community in Bansko. ing their interests. They stated that they did not know how to formulate questions and Hasanov, one of »Integro´s« coordinators. their right to have asphalt-paved streets, issues in which they are interested. “They In his opinion, the coordinators should children playgrounds, computer rooms, etc. even did not know how to arrange an offi- not decide alone what the problems of one cial meeting. According to Lili Makaveeva, into account their individual qualities and community are and should not try to give Cooperation with the mayor »The people didn’t have the skills, - knowl needs. This programme is far from includ- readymade recipes for their solution. Pa- After trainings and consultations, the mo- edge, or self-esteem as citizens, to go to see ing the traditional few days’ trainings. Inte- tience is needed, as well as skills how to in- ment came to apply the learned theory The the mayor«. gro’s experience shows that no matter how volve people in a process in which the Roma in practice. Sheker Tyumbelekchi, Sasho Black good such type of trainings might be, they themselves alone assess their community Manov, Slavcho Kostadinv, Atanas Mitrev, And White A special programme are not enough to change people’s skills and and outline steps for seeking solutions. and Tzvetomir Mihailov organised them- Book k page 32 for Bansko their understanding about their own role as Another important step in the development selves and went to meet the town mayor. page 33 After a long analysis of the meeting and the citizens. of the Bankso activists is leadership-related Bansko’s mayor was pleasantly surprised Roma community, »Integro« included the training. »For us it was important that the with the constructive ideas of the young community from Bansko in its programme Trainings are not enough Roma would understand what commu- men and their will to work. The good thing »Strengthening the Roma Voice« in 2007. »Much more is needed than three-day nity-responsible leadership means. We did in this case was that Bansko is a rich resort Sheker Tyumbelkchi took charge of the ac- trainings. In fact it is very difficult to make not aim to create grand leaders, but rather municipality and can afford to allocate tivites in Bansko. He was the coordinator somebody come to a three-day training, as people with skills and qualities, who apply funds for the improvement of the Roma for South Bulgaria, a well-educated Roma each day absence from work can be fatal team principles and improve their relation- position. Step by step, the Roma’s concrete with appropriate experience. He organised a for the family’s budget«, mentioned Lili ships with each other and who involve ideas began to be implemented. During the second visit to the community and met only Makaveeva. And for the Roma who do not their peers when addressing their common whole period, Integro continued to provide with the Roma who were showing interest have permanent and secure work, one day problems and interests«, Lilia said. After support, ensuring expert assistance to the and willingness to cooperate in a group and of absence from work to attend a training these trainings, more training followed on young men. learn together. From the 40 people, who means one day without wage to feed the communications with local authorities, ad- Today, the Roma quarter in Bansko has a were present at the first meeting, only ten family. Thanks to the preliminary motiva- vocacy, NGO management, project plan- sports facility and playground for the chil- young men showed such interest. From tion work by the coordinator however, the ning, etc. Between these trainings, Integro’s dren, all streets are covered with asphalt, these ten, in practice only Sasho Manov, activists from Bansko did attend a series of coordinators provided continuous support there is a computer room, as the municipal- Slavcho Kostadinov, Atanas Mitrev, and such trainings. »The trainings that we have to the group of activists from Bansko, by ity bought the computers and one of the lo- Tzvetomir Mihailov continued to work ac- organised were related to how to make them sending them appropriate information and cal activists, Slavcho Kostadinov, provided tively. The coordinator Sheker Tyumbelkchi understand what a community is and what by helping them with their written commu- the room. The most important gain is that built close relationships with them, gained makes them a community. After that, the nications. the municipal council decided to give regu- their trust and inspired confidence. Integro’s participants have to determine for them- They also went together to the first meet- lated land plots to the Roma, where they team elaborated a special programme for in- selves what type of community they are ings in the municipality, and elaborated can build their dwellings. At present, Ban- creasing the local activists’ capacities, taking – an active or passive one«, shared Kadrin together the first plan that was submitted sko has elaborated a municipal programme to the mayor. Parallel to all these activi- for the integration of the Roma population, ties, Integro hired experts for on-the-spot which is to be approved at a municipal visits and gave practical consultations how council’s session in the near future. Thus, to negotiate with local authorities. This was the problems of the Roma will be included the programme for capacity building of the in the municipal long-term plans and the young Roma from Bansko who expressed Roma themselves will learn how to follow willingness to work. Nobody paid them to up on its implementation. participate in these trainings, they spent Not all of the problems of the Roma in their free time to improve their social skills, Bansko have been resolved, but some steps because they understood their own role for have already been made and it for sure gives the improvement of their own position. Ac- them the sense and the understanding that cording to Kadrin, this is the correct work- they are also citizens of their municipality. ing method, because thus the people build This step took more than two years, but it their self-esteem as citizens, who request was worthwhile. negative written by: Ognyan Isaev and negotiate for Roma rights with local He continued: »During my meetings with authorities. Thus, a member of the GORD some of the Roma people in Troshka, I Network, Nikolay Yankov from Shoumen, found out that almost the whole quarter is went to Vurbitsa to meet with the local lacking a sewage system. To reach the quar- Roma and with the town’s mayor. ter, you have to climb 200 metres of stairs or to use the road which is destined for cars. The The small mountain town of Vurbitsa is The leading political party then managed During the meeting, the mayor of Vurbitsa The majority of the people from the quarter Black situated to the west of the heart of the Stara to prevent unification between the Roma. pointed out that according to him, one use the stairs, which have not been repaired And White Planina, the Bulgarian Balkan mountain As a result, the problems of the Roma were of the major problems of the Roma com- for the past twenty years. Besides, there is Book k page 34 range. Vurbitsa is famous as the »factory« of hardly addressed by the local government. munity was the dropping out of school of no lighting at night«, said Yankov. page 35 talented Roma clarinet players as the Roma Roma children, after they have finished musicians from this town are famous all The main reasons for the inefficient work their primary education. Another issue, Trying to constitute a grass- over the country. Vurbitsa is a rural town of the Roma councellors on behalf of the according to him, was the early marriages roots initiative group and constitutes the centre of the region of Roma community in Vurbitsa, were the among young Roma. »The mayor is good, According to him, the Roma in Troshka Gerlovo. During the communist regime, lack of lobbying power, different political but definitely he lacks the will to work on should constitute a grassroots group in or- the town was a well-developed tourist cen- orientations, inexperience, a low educa- resolving Roma issues. He does not know der to negotiate for the solution of the Roma tre that attracted visitors from the whole tional level, and leadership ambitions of the the national documents on Roma policies problems. »For some time I was in contact country. Despite the picturesque nature municipal councellors. Many of them just and the programmes for Roma support. with Sylvia Mastikova, one of the few Roma and several historic sights, today the town’s did what the mayor told them to do. Others The municipal councellors should cooper- students from the town. I gave her small economy is hardly surviving. cared only for the wellbeing of their fami- ate with him to resolve the problems in the tasks, such as to gather the youngsters from lies, as often happens in Bulgarian political Roma quarter«, concluded Nikolay Yankov both quarters to discuss which useful things The town is an excellent example of a mul- life. In addition, the Roma who had voted after the meeting. for the town they could do as young people«, ticultural society: Roma, Bulgarians, Turk- for them did not hold them accountable ish, and Bulgarian Muslims live in Vurbitsa. for the question whether they had done The Roma are about 2 000 people. They anythings for the Roma quarters. Thus, an live in two quarters: Troshka and the Mu- excellent opportunity to promote Roma in- sicians »mahala«. The Roma constitute the terests was lost. majority of the population, but so far that hasn`t helped them to participate in the During the local elections in 2007, the management of the town, nor to solve their larger parties who are also represented in problems. So far, there is only one Roma Bulgarian Parliament, succeeded to divide employed with the local administration; in the Roma leaders and the Roma voters, by the agency for social assistance. He is also a offering money and promises for posts. The municipal councellor. For many years, un- number of Roma councellors decreased successful attempts have been made to em- from five to three. Again, new people en- ploy young Roma in the police department. tered on the municipal council; people who Roma are also not represented in the high did not really have a clue why they were school board of trustees, where the pupils there. from Troshka and the Musicians Mahala represent the majority. Talking to the mayor In 2007, the Bulgarian Roma grassroots net- Five Roma councellors work ›GORD‹, supported by Roma NGO During the local elections in 2003, things Integro from the city of Razgrad, decided seemed to improve. Five Roma were elected to promote its positive experiences with as municipal councellors. Each one repre- establishing activist groups of Roma at the sented however a different political party. municipal level, which are able to address MRFM BULGARIA said Nikolay. A couple of months later he written by: Ognyan Isaev arranged a meeting with Hristo Tatarov and Anton Hristov, two of the Roma councel- lors and leaders in Troshka. Only Tatarov and willingness to work. The Roma should came to meet Nikolay. Later it turned out avoid being divided during elections. In the that the two of them dislike each other and quarter, I heard how the present municipal The because of this they do not want to cooper- councellors had been going around, giving Black ate, not even for the benefit of the quarter. food, shoes and money to buy votes for a And White particular party«, told Yankov. He insisted Book k page 36 According to Nikolay Yankov, only Hristo that Vurbitsa needs a uniting figure to stop page 37 Tatarov has indicated willingness to work. the scattering of the Roma votes. As a divid- »The youth group that we tried to form did ed community, the Roma will not be able to Until six years ago, Kavarna was just a According to Mr. Bashev, consistent and tar- not exist for long, because one of the lead- address their problems. small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria. It geted work has been done in Kavarna since ers in the quarter asked him ›Why do you was known for nothing else, but that it was 2003 to involve Roma in the municipality’s listen to Nikolay? Let him fix the problems According to Yankov, the local Roma lead- on the Black Sea coast. Today however, our social life. Mr. Tsonev’s efforts are targeted of the Roma in Shoumen first, and then he ers in Vurbitsa did not have any idea about town is popular not only in Bulgaria, but at the creation of a favourable urban living can come here‹«. A few weeks after the dis- national policies and documents on Roma also beyond the borders. Kavarna is the rock environment, access to high quality health solution of the youth group, Yankov again inclusion. »In Vurbitsa the situation is the music capital of Bulgaria. Here, world fa- care and good education for all minority headed for Vurbitsa. »I wanted to explain same as in many other places. Regrettably, mous rock stars played. They have done so people, stated Mr. Bashev, who is the head to them how important it is to establish a in Vurbitsa too, the Roma issues are in for six years already. Besides, Kavarna has of the Minorities Integration sector. grassroots initiative group. Thus, they would the hands of the wrong people. The Roma also become a model for good management. be able to apply for funding from various themselves are not interested in the solution In Kavarna, both Bulgarians and Roma live During 2007, with financial aid from the institutions. With funding, they would be of their problems. I heard that street lamps peacefully in good conditions. All this is the municipality, a two-storey administrative able to improve the living conditions in the had been assembled on the stairs, but after a result of the humane attitude of our mayor. building was reconstructed into a dormito- quarter. With funding, they could also en- couple of months some Roma broke them«, That is how our conversation began with ry that accommodated ten Roma families. able their children to go to various trainings noted Yankov sadly. Mr. Martin Bashev, one of the assistants During the past few years, the municipal- where they would learn not to stop their to Kavarna’s Mayor Mr. Tsonko Tsonev. ity tried to popularize the right of housing education and not to marry early«. Yankov’s So even today, the problems of Gerlovo’s Bashev is a Roma, who lives in the Roma construction among the Roma population. visit was however unsuccessful. He met capital remain the same. The Roma from quarter in Kavarna with 4.000 inhabitants. Until 2008, five persons used this opportu- only with Tatarov, who explained him that Troshka continue to climb the stars in dark- In total, the city counts about 12.000 in- nity per year. During 2008 and 2009, fifty- he couldn´t do anything alone. ness on their way home. The stairs turn into habitants. seven people have already used the oppor- an ice rink during winter. When it rains, tunity to construct their own home, which Roma should not be divided the area looks like a swamp. The acid stench Housing opportunities for is indicative for the willingness of the Roma According to Yankov, Vurbitsa is typical for from septic pits that flow out in the pine Roma in the centre to have their own housing, Mayor Tsonev the level of Roma integration in many places tree forest near the quarter is accompany- In the beginning of his first mandate as a said. Thus far, there is no single illegal house all over Bulgaria. »Definitely, the Roma pos- ing the path both in summer and in winter. mayor, Tsonko Tsonev created a Minorities in the Roma quarter. Moreover, in the very sess human resources. They only need will In the meantime, the clarinet players from Integration sector in the municipal admin- heart of the quarter, there are three hotels, the Musicians’ quarter, where many Roma istration that included three Roma staff full to the brim during summer. Amazing, survive, travel to the boulevards in West- members. These Roma are responsible for but a fact! This is Kavarna – the town of un- ern Europe where they earn some money the elaboration of concrete measures for the limited opportunities and dreams. for food. A light in the tunnel are the few implementation of the national policy con- Roma students, who act as positive role cerning the different ethnic groups. Thus, Where is the mahalla? models, serve as the link between the Roma for the first time a working method was in- You would not notice anything unusual pupils in town and the various programmes troduced where Roma are directly engaged when entering Kavarna: a medium sized targeted at them. in solving the problems of the Roma mi- town with clean streets. Small pieces of pa- nority in the Kavarna municipality. per and trash, characteristic for any Bulgar- ian town of Kavarna’s size, are absent. The from Roma origin. The children are great. The employees in the Municipality of Ka- communist flat blocks are painted with pic- They behave well and are responsible. The varna and the other institutions try to serve tures of Bulgarian and world famous rock parents take very good care of them, added the citizens professionally. Citizens’ services stars. If you visit Kavarna, there is no way Exemplary kindergarten Ms. Stoicheva. are one of the most important benchmarks not to see and feel the different atmosphere The integration work done by the munici- of the status of society. If we provide good and environment. pality does not only mean construction of The efforts to keep the Roma children in services and have content citizens, then we The an excellent infrastructure. The process of the educational system do not stop with can talk about civil society. However, if civil Black Now we are entering into the Roma quarter, including and keeping Roma children in this. In the primary school situated in the servants focus on the ethnic origin of the And White said Martin Bashev. Where is the mahala? I the educational system relies on preven- Roma quarter, there is an optional class in served person, then there is no professional Book k page 38 asked and looked around for shacks, muddy tive measures and children´s involvement Roma folklore. A literacy course for the pu- service at all. In our contacts with the Ka- page 39 streets, unfinished houses, and Roma chil- at an early age. There are two kindergar- pils’ parents is also organized by the school. varna citizens, we strive for professional re- dren playing on the streets. We are in the tens in the Kavarna municipality, situated The mayor is treating schools equally, no lationships with them. We want to preserve quarter. I don’t know what you are asking in regions with a high Roma concentration matter whether Roma or Bulgarian pupils their dignity as human beings and citizens. for, answered Martin. I was surprised. All – in the town of Kavarna itself, and in the prevail. He is equally good to all children, Only in this way we can build a strong and streets are asphalt-paved and it smells clean. village Septemvriitsi. Since 2006, the chil- which proves his professionalism, shared creative society, says Mr. Tsonev. There are paved sidewalks on both sides – dren from Septemvriitsi enjoy a new build- Martin Bashev. broad and clean. It is not necessary to look ing, which the municipality finished with We do not integrate Roma for garbage containers, because there are at funding under the “Beautiful Bulgaria” Annual ›honorary Roma‹ »Roma integration is a delicate process. It least ten garbage bins along twenty metres. programme. The teachers in Bulgarian election is necessary that people who are working There is a sewage system in the whole quar- language work additionally with children At the initiative of the Mayor Tsonev, since on Roma inclusion do this with a positive ter. Besides, we have a gas supply system, whose mother tongue is not Bulgarian. 2004 the Roma from Kavarna commemo- personal attitude. Only in this way real re- explained Mr. Bashev. The other kindergarten in Kavarna, where rate the International Roma Day, on April sults can be obtained. We in Kavarna do all children are Roma, became a nice place 8th, with concerts and various sports and not integrate the Roma: we ensure good We continued to walk around the Roma after a major refurbishment in 2007. Mayor cultural events. With the support of the living conditions, then the Roma integrate quarter with its beautiful and modern ar- Tsonev officially inaugurated the kinder- mayor, every year popular Bulgarian ac- themselves. I do not divide the citizens of chitecture. Our men are builders. That is garten together with Bulgarian President tors, performers, and bands take part in Kavarna into Roma and Bulgarians, white why the whole quarter is beautiful. For- Georgi Parvanov. the Commemoration. Each year, a famous or black, tall or short. I accept them as they eigners often take it for the town’s centre, person is awarded with the title ›Honorary are. We succeed, because we want to«, Mr. explained Mayor Tsonev with a smile on his Kavarna is an example of an equal start for Roma‹. In 2009, Andrey Slabakov, a promi- Tsonko Tsonev firmly states. He obviously face. He was awarded Man of the Year in all children, no matter what is their religion nent Bulgarian actor and film director, be- knows very well the right way towards 2005. I was amazed, because there might or ethnic origin, were the words of the Bul- came the honorary ›Mangal‹, explained Ms. building a comfortable society for all. be no such Roma ´mahala´ anywhere in garian President when cutting the ribbon. Elena Baltadjieva enthousiastically, head the world – tidy, pleasant, overlooking the The best pedagogues in the whole munici- of the ›Eurointegration‹ department in Ka- sea. There is no way to get lost in this Roma pality work here, no matter that it is in the varna. quarter. The streets are marked as there are Roma quarter. The team successfully works road signs at every crossing. on projects for intellectual education, inte- Every month, each Roma family pays about gration of bilingual children and children 100 Euro for electricity, water, and gas. with special educational needs, explained These payments are not a problem. Our Ms. Mimi Stoycheva, the kindergarten’s men and women from the Roma quarter do headmistress. From the outside, the kinder- not rely on social welfare. They are engaged garten looks like a four-star hotel. Inside, in farming, civil building and construc- it is equipped with modern audio-visual tion. Others work abroad, often in Poland. equipment, a rich music library, didactic After some time, they return. There are tools, and many toys. All assistant-teach- even mixed marriages in the ›mahala‹, told ers and supervisors in the kindergarten are Tsonko Tsonev with a smile on his lips. 03 positive written by: Mustafa Jakupov
R.O.M.A.
The ROMA. is a Roma youth network from In Macedonia, people always have looked Important: Black north-eastern Macedonia, founded in De- at Roma as entertainers or as deviants. Not Representative Bodies And White cember 2007. The members of ROMA are even in their wildest dreams would they ever As mentioned above, the Roma people from Book k page 42 young Roma who attend high school and assume that Roma are ordinary people with the Berovo community were very skeptical page 43 university. Currently, we number around ordinary jobs, who are trying to live an or- of having another NGO, especially one that 40 youngsters. Around twenty of us are dinary life, as much as possible without be- is not local and comes from a different com- actively involved in the development of ing labelled. Roma are trying the same thing munity. It was natural for the people to ask ROMA. We began with three university that each one of us tries: to be ordinary. why such an organization bothered to reach students, but this number already increased out to them and what would be the benefit to ten. The other members are mainly high No participation from that for them. This was a life-time op- school students. The Roma community of Berovo experi- portunity for Roma Progress to explain the enced this so-called »not being ordinary”« so-called grassroots approach to the Berovo Currently one of the main activities of According to our vision, Roma youth should some time ago. Visiting this community community. Roma Progress explained to ROMA is the participation in the inter- become promoters of positive values and an for the first time in 2008, the NGO Roma them the benefits from mobilization and national ›Typical Roma?‹ campaign. Other active factor in social happenings, which Progress noticed that the negative stigma empowerment, as well as from having rep- themes we are working on are Roma youth in its turn will have positive impacts on that Roma usually encounter in Macedo- resentatives on the local level. inclusion into all sorts of policies. Further, the Roma communities, by helping shaping nia caused such a low self-esteem among Roma Progress explained that the first thing we want to promote positive values about their own future and life in a better direction. the local Roma that they were even not to do was to reach out to the local Roma Roma in mainstream society. Another goal By doing so, our Roma youngsters can be- bothering to go to regular meetings of the leaders and to create a representative body. we have is to strengthen the capacities of come active citizens and creators of public mayor with the citizens of the town. The It was also very important to show the our members, so they can plan and imple- policies which concern them and the Roma Roma did not ask for help to solve their Roma that they needed to act as a unit in ment activities and projects independently. community. daily problems, since they knew that they order to help themselves and get organised. are »different«. They would probably not It was very motivating to see that local lead- For further information: even be allowed to see the mayor or talk to ers were identified immediately, and even R.O.M.A. him or any other local authority of the mu- more exciting that they had recognized lead- “Toso Kukovski” nr.36 nicipality of Berovo. This perceived »differ- ers from varying demographics of the Roma 1360 Kratovo ence« lead to a lot of problems for the Roma community (youth and women). Macedonia community. First, their daily problems were not addressed towards the authorities for Roundtable Director: Mustafa Jakupov solutions. Second, the community was in- The Roma needed a boost to improve their Tel/fax: (389) 31481189 ternally divided, which lead to »individual« self-confidence, stop their skepticism, and Email: [email protected] approaches towards the local authorities by to prove to themselves that they can act as http://romassn.blogspot.com some Roma, which on the other hand lead an organised group. The Roma knew that to having some individuals as beneficiaries, the 8th of April, the International Roma instead of the whole Roma community. This Day was approaching, so this was the ulti- was not even a pleasant situation for Roma mate test to them. Stating that this would Progress, since many people were very skep- be the first time that this holiday would be tical about Roma NGOs. This skepticism celebrated in their municipality, they took came from having a lot of Roma NGO’s this as an opportunity to show their culture around, but without anyone experiencing and heritage, and create a positive image, the benefits of their existence. they were more than eager to work to suc- The Roma did dance and sang during the written by: Fetija Demirovska negative My point is that if we do not want discrimi- celebration of the 8th of April, the Inter- nation, then we as students have to prove national Roma day, but they also sent out that there is no »typical Roma«. We have a message for change and peace, which was to make clear that we are citizens, humans symbolically represented by having flowers like anybody else, who try to integrate thrown down the river. themselves into society, and who want to be The future academics. We also have to try to be Black Keys to success »Never forget about the small things you role models for our community in order to And White Because of the initiated self-organsation, do, never forget about the extra efforts you show that there are successful Roma. Book k page 44 living conditions improved for the Roma in made. The future lies in your hands«. Those page 45 Berovo. They now have their Roma centre were the words of a trainer, who was stand- Be assertive! ceed. The challenge was to find a way to in their community. They are meeting regu- ing in front of a group of Roma students. I In the Macedonian media you can often include the local authorities into the plans larly to discuss the problems of the commu- was one of those students. hear or find remarks which insult the Roma. which were proposed by Roma Progress. nity and they even organised themselves for For example, »The Roma are doing gypsy Roma Progress knew that if the Roma the local elections and made their own list These words were meant for us students. things«. At a certain moment, we as Roma would go out and dance on the streets, of candidates for the Council of the Mu- The trainer wanted to make clear that we students decided to take action against such they would only be confirming the usual nicipality, lead by Ramco Kundevski. They are the ones who need to make a change in negative statements. We wanted to include impression that people have about Roma. finally become ordinary citizens of Berovo our community, that we are the ones who all students, regardless whether they were According to Roma Progress and the local with the help of an ordinary Roma grass- need to be creative in order to make change Roma or non-Roma in this action. By in- Roma community, the best way to celebrate roots NGO. possible. cluding non-Roma students in our action, the International Roma Day was to show As shown above, with the help of grassroots we wanted to make clear to the citizens of that Roma can do also other things. There- organisations, change can be brought to Each day, many Roma students take part in this country that we are all equal and that fore, they organised a round table with the the Roma communities. Teaching people non-formal education, besides their formal we are fighting discrimination together. Mayor of Berovo on the 8th of April and methods of getting organised boosts their education. Through our experiences in non- they discussed the problems of the Roma motivation to get mobilized and helps them formal education, we all get the same knowl- During the action, the students walked community. Further, they explained to the feel empowered to lead the change. How- edge and experiences. We learn through our around our, Skopje, with posters. On these mayor that from now on they would com- ever, not only empowerment and mobiliza- participation in workshops, seminars, and posters we published all the discriminatory municate through their newly established tion are the keys to success: working for the trainings how we, as Roma community statements, stereotypes, and prejudices to- representative structure with him in an or- community and listening to the people is members, can contribute to our commu- wards Roma. When the public passed by ganised way. Mayor Venko Pashaliski was just as important. nity and simultaneously be integrated into and asked us questions, we students acted very positively surprised and very happy the larger society. This all leads to positive friendly and explained the goals of our ac- that »his Roma citizens were showing ini- In the end, even typical Roma deserve a achievements and success of individuals. tions to the people. tiative«. He decided to cover all the costs for happy end, don’t you think so? the round table and supported their activi- Taking responsibility We also provided a special book which ties on the 8th of April. We can never reach the top of our achieve- people could sign and write their opinion ments if we avoid taking responsibility. Un- about the Roma. We organized our fight fortunately, this is what happens so often. against stereotypes in a symbolic way. Any- Many Roma students repeat the same mis- body who wanted to could write his or her take time and again: We expect someone stereotype against Roma and throw it in a else to do the job for us. Roma need to be garbage can. That was a positive step for integrated, stand together, and act together. change and visibility. Although we are aware that as students, we need to bring attention to our situation, put The future is in our hands. As students, we an end on the discrimination, and claim the have the power to make a real change. We rightful place for Roma in society, we are are the critical mass of our community, but still not trying hard enough. as long we are not more assertive and do not act together, our status in society won’t change. written by: Alush Bilalov negative
The Asija and Bektas Ashemdovi have been mar- excellent student, but I had to stop with my sues. However, this person, who is a Roma, Black ried for almost 22 years. They have three education in order to help my parents fi- cannot cover and help all the people from And White daughters and seven sons, which means nancially. I have been looking for a job for a thie Roma community. In the opinion of Book k page 46 that they are a family of twelve people. The long time already, but without success.« Mustafa Jakupov, the youth coordinator of page 47 Ashemdovi family is a classical example of a the Roma Educational Youth Association A question arises: Is this an exclusionary socially vulnerable family; one of the many Lacking Roma from Kratovo, »Roma NGOs should have mechanism created by society, based on stig- you can find in the Roma communities in representation a clear target group and set priorities. Of matization? The European Roma Grassroots Macedonia. The only support this family Elvira Ashmedova comes from Kocani in course cooperation with other NGO’s and Organisations (ERGO) network is trying to gets is their social welfare, which is around north-eastern Macedonia. In this commu- the local authorities is also essential«. He fight against such a mechanism and tries to 60 Euro (3.800 denars) per month. This is nity, 5,12% of the 38.092 habitants are continues, »Coordination between the local give answers. According to ERGO: »The ex- not enough to cover the basic needs of the Roma. Some Roma NGOs in Kocani try authorities and Roma NGOs is needed in clusionary mechanism based on stigmatiza- family, not to mention the needs of their to improve the situation of the local Roma. order to help groups which are not reached tion in education, employment and health children. Sometimes they succeed whereas sometimes by the interventions of the authorities and care, results in a reinforced assimilation of The ten children of the Ashmedovi family they fail. One of the areas where they fail is NGO’s«. Jakupov posits that the real prob- Roma, perceiving them as strangers in their would like to be part of society and live a in the area of their outreach. The NGOs do lem is the fact that the Roma are not prop- own societies. Internalizing these negative life just like their peers. »We never had an not manage to reach out to all the people erly represented. »We need Roma who are images of themselves, many Roma accept employed person in our family«, says the from the Roma community although the actually employed in the local institutions. them as normal, reproduce these stereo- 20-year old Elvira Ashmedova. »I was an municipality has a contact for minorities’ is- And when I am saying this, I do not mean types of the majority and are afraid to iden- Roma employed as cleaners, but Roma tify themselves as Roma. Especially young employed as officials. Social inclusion also people struggle with their identity.« means to have proper representation«. Not enough money Higher educated Roma for education usually stay unemployed Many talented Roma students from Kocani The local authorities do employ a small part wish to continue their education and want of the Roma population, but these people to finish high school at least. But often, they usually do not get a position as an official do not get any further than elementary edu- and are often times confronted with a glass cation. The reason for that is poverty. Many ceiling. Usually, they are employed as clean- Roma families are not capable to provide ers, workers and drivers. Those Roma with a the basic needs for their children to visit higher educational background are usually high school, not to mention provide for a unemployed or active in the civic sector, as university education. the only option for employment. »It is really sad and almost a tragedy to see a dozen Roma students after finishing -el ementary or high school not to continue their education«, says Ibraim Amedov, one of the few elder Roma from Kocani who has finished university with a degree in ag- riculture. »I don’t blame the kids or their The parents, since the bad financial situation of Black the Roma in our community is well known. And White Only half of them can provide food to their Book page 48 families and knowing this, I don’t believe that they care about education that much. All of them know that for supporting a high school student you need hundreds of Eu- ros for school materials. This is a luxury for most of the Roma families in our commu- nity. It is sad, that in such modern times a lot of the Roma youth remain uneducated and without a chance to find a job«, says Amedov.
Poverty is a cruel thing Still, all these explanations and theories do not prevent Elvira Ashmedova from asking many questions. »Why can´t I find work? Am I different? We always need money for food, not to mention clothes and other things. I am an adult and I can see the real situation my family faces. I was an excel- lent student, but my family did not have the money to let me finish my education. They needed my help. Now I am aware how much I lost for not continuing my educa- tion. Poverty is a cruel thing and I am deal- ing with it daily. Nowadays I try to avoid my friends, because they are all dressed up nice with new clothes. I don’t want to em- barrass them. My pockets are empty; I don’t have money to buy something for myself or my family. I made a promise to myself: I will do anything to avoid that my children will have to face the same destiny as me. But what can I do to change my future into something better? Can I improve things? How? Should I remain strong? Why? Who am I? …« MRFM written by: Daniela Janevska MACEDONIA mainly as either well-situ- ated or less fortunate, and those who less fortunate deadline had passed, the selection commit- need our help«. According tee held a meeting to decide who would to Dr. Aleksov, the Roma be the winner. The selection committee should not be abused for The consisted of three committee members for political causes. »They Black minorities’ issues, one committee member need a chance to find their And White from the local self-government for council place in society. Their na- Book k page 50 Housing for socially vulnerable Roma and affairs, one representative from Spolu In- tionality is not the cause page 51 free language courses – these are just some ternational Foundation and one member of of the problem.« How is of the initiatives taken by the city of Stip the National Team of the ›Typical Roma?‹- Dr. Aleksov planning to in North-Eastern Macedonia, headed by campaign in Macedonia. solve the problems which Mayor Dr. Zoran Aleksov. The Macedonian After studying all the applications, the com- he mentioned? »During my selection committee of the »Most Roma- mittee chose the Mayor of Stip as the win- mandate, we need to start Friendly Mayor« competition in this coun- ner of the competition. Dr. Zoran Aleksov, paring 40 buildings were socially vulnerable brain storming, and during the next two try was sure about it: Mr Aleksov is »The Mayor of Stip, scored 34 points out of 36. families will live. These buildings are espe- or three mandates, we need to start solving father of our town!« Right after Stip came the Mayor of Vinica, cially meant for those people, whose houses the issues, since the problems are not here who had 31 points. The Mayor of Kriva are not urbanized. For that aim, our Mu- since yesterday.« The Most Roma-Friendly Palanka scored 24 points, the Mayor of Kra- nicipality has already received one million From this meeting, we concluded that the Mayor Competition tovo 16 points, the Mayor of Veles 14 points, Macedonian Denars from the Roma De- Mayor did not prepare himself in any spe- In the framework of the international cam- and the Mayor of Sveti Nikole 7 points. cade programme (roughly 150.000 Euro) cial way, nor did he arrange specific actions paign »Typical Roma?«, Roma youth organ- and from the budget of the Municipality of just to please us as an NGO or as Roma. isation RROMA from Kratovo in North- Why the Mayor of Stip? Stip another 250.000 Denars will be added To us, it was obvious that this man has a Eastern Macedonia organised a competition During the call for the applications, the to this housing plan«. long-term vision on how to solve the prob- to select the most Roma-friendly Mayor in National Team of RROMA held several Also in the area of education, the Munici- lems in his municipality. Therefore, he de- Macedonia. After some discussions, the meetings with the Mayors to hear their per- pality of Stip is taking steps. »When we are serves the title »Father of the Town« and National Team of RROMA decided that it sonal opinions about the »Typical Roma?« talking about education, my main concern »Most Roma-Friendly Mayor 2010« of the would be the best to hold the competition campaign. One of the mayors we visited is school abstinence, children not going to North-Eastern region of the Republic of in the region where the organisation is most was Dr. Zoran Aleksov, Mayor of Stip. We school. In order to change this situation, Macedonia. active, which means the north-eastern re- were really surprised about the mayor’s ap- the municipality started a project in col- We wish him all the best and luck for the gion of the Republic of Macedonia. proach and the way he approached solving laboration with the schools for after-school realization of his plans and we wish more We sent out an application to the twelve the problems in his municipality, as well as education of the youth. In this project, we authorities like him. nominated municipalities in the region. his approach to the inclusion of Roma in organise language-courses for free. Around These municipalities had to answer a num- his municipality. According to Mr. Aleksov, 3000 candidates applied, 200 of them are ber of questions concerning their Roma »The Roma are one segment of the mosaic Roma. Still, I am not satisfied with the community, starting with a description of of our municipality«. Answering RROMA number of Roma, since I was expecting that their community, information about the youth coordinator Mustafa Jakupov’s ques- more Roma would apply«, says Dr. Aleksov. interethnic relations, participation and tion, »What are the main problems that the dialogue, the Roma strategy of the munici- Roma from Stip are facing?«, Dr. Aleksov Nationality is not pality, employment, education and a why answered: »The housing situation and the the decisive factor their mayor should be selected as the »Most educationial level«. Mr. Aleksov has an interesting perspective Roma-Friendly Mayor«. According to Mr. Aleksov, the Municipal- on the interethnic life in his town. »In our Out of twelve municipalities, six (Kratovo, ity of Stip is undertaking action to ease the municipality, the interethnic relations are Kriva Palanka, Sveti Nikole, Veles, Stip and precarious housing situation for Roma in relaxed and I don’t see or divide people ac- Vinica) sent in an application. After the his city. »The Municipality of Stip is pre- cording to their nationality. I see people 04 positive written by: Maia Matfei (16 years)
Porojan
The Associatia Porojan was set up in 2007 with The Roma are one of the most »inaccessi- wear long skirts to the ankles and they cover Black the help of Spolu. Porojan is a resource or- ble« ethnic groups in Moldova. This makes their heads with a kerchief. The main occu- And White ganisation that aims to increase the capacity communication between Roma and other pation of the Roma is commerce and trade, Book k page 54 of Roma children, youth, and Roma NGOs ethnic groups very difficult and certainly although the income they gain is usually page 55 in Moldova. has a big impact on the social integration very low. Porojan is coordinating the Roma Youth of the Roma. Due to the poor cooperation and Children Network (RCYN) in Mol- between the Roma and non-Roma commu- The role of education dova, in which more than 60 Roma chil- nities, local authorities too often take unfa- The lack of education within Roma tradi- dren participate. These Roma youngsters vourable positions towards the Roma. tion explains the negative attitude of many take part in debate clubs, theatre circles, Porojan is working on the foundation of a Many Roma families live in Hincesti, locat- Roma towards school. The majority of the Romani lessons, and other forms of non- Roma students` network in Moldova, in ed in central Moldova. The large majority Roma considers school as something which formal education. They also participate in cooperation with Roma organisation Tarna of them are traditional Roma which means does not bring any income. Therefore, summer camps and are in the process of Tom. Porojan also focuses on increasing the they still observe the traditions left by their many Roma do not attach much impor- setting up new, independent Roma youth lobbying capacity of Roma NGOs from ancestors. The Roma women, for example, tance to their children´s education. It is groups in different places in Moldova. Moldova. stick to the traditional way of dressing and clear that the Roma community and its way
For further information: Associatia Porojan 162 Columna str., off. 508 2004 Chisinau Republic of Moldova
Director: Igor Pivovar Tel/fax: (373) 79404454 Email: [email protected] website: http://www.porojan.md/ became much appreciated by the local Roma community and the local administration: especially by the teaching staff. Thus far, the classes have been provided since two years and are very important in the educational process of the Roma children. The teach- The ers who teach the Roma children are also Black Roma which is a very important element in And White the learning process. Although the teachers Book k page 56 did not receive any special education, they page 57 cooperate well with the other teaching staff and they contribute to the education of the generation of the Roma children with new ideas, views, and aspirations. Some of the teachers went to a special training in Ro- mania, where they learned from colleagues who participated in similar projects on how to educate Roma children. During the extra classes in the »Sunday school«, the Roma children learn how to read, to write accurately in the Roma lan- guage, and obtain knowledge in areas which are not covered by obligatory school courses. At the same time, the Roma children acquire special skills and attitudes and they become accustomed to attending school, working with school books, listening to the teacher and to their classmates’ opinions. Thus, they become more confident in themselves and believe in their abilities. They have also become more open for cooperation with children of other ethnic groups, making friends, setting goals and making efforts to achieve them. of life has its charm, values, and traditions, policies aimed at improving their situation, improve their knowledge of the Romani Educating Roma children is a very effi- but education is one of the most important integration, and the promotion of non-dis- language and where they can obtain other cient method in creating a new generation ways the community can actually promote crimination. In Hincesti, the Roma com- important and necessary knowledge. Fur- of Roma which will be seen and treated as these values and traditions, and at the same munity took the initiative to organize ad- thermore, they have achieved their goal! equal, valuable people. In this way, educa- time be respected and accepted by the larger ditional lectures in the Roma language and tion is helpful for the society to overcome society. Modern society in Moldova often Roma culture in addition to their obliga- Special classes the stereotypes and taboos often expressed considers the Roma community to be one tory school lessons. The local Roma leaders Through a special project, supported by the towards the Roma. Through this project, of the most problematic communities as in and the children from the village started to Dutch Spolu International Foundation, the the Roma in Hincesti now can start to really many European countries where the Roma look for opportunities to open a classroom young Roma from Hincesti succeeded to feel included in the society, by being accept- are treated as intruders or even delinquent. where the Roma children were able to study organize these classes at the »Mihai Emines- ed and respected by virtue of their culture Under these conditions, it is very impor- their native language and culture. They cu« theatrical Lyceum, as part of a so-called and the contributions they may give to the tant that the Roma welcome governmental were looking for a place where they also can »Sunday school«. Soon thereafter, the classes development of the entire community. written by: Iulia Danu (15 years) negative
The People have a natural urge to learn new to help neighbours and other villagers and Black things. Each human being has the right to the children who always play together and And White learn in order to become better, more edu- have fun with other children, regardless of Book k page 58 cated, and more self-confident. Children their ethnic group and locality, are a very page 59 are like sponges, ready to absorb as much united group. However, it is unfortunate knowledge as possible. Therefore, it is very for the children and teenagers in our na- painful if children do not have the opportu- tive village that we do not have a school. nity to receive education in their vicinity. It was the Romanian king Carol the II who said, »School is not an educational institu- A temple of knowledge tion, but a temple, the priests of which are The educationial situation for the children teachers.« in my native village in Moldova is very un- pleasant. Ursari is a village that is almost ex- The lack of a school in our village is a bur- clusively Roma, with old, deep-rooted tra- den for all residents, but especially for the neighbouring village of Buda, with whom Hope for a new school ditions, customs, and with a rich culture of small children. Imagine a community with our village shares a common administration. Today, the Ursari villagers complain that self-knowledge. Both the adults and young many youngsters who are eager to learn new However, for the school children it is a long they have no opportunity to offer their chil- people in Ursari fight for improving their things, but who cannot gather at school to and exhausting way to the neighbouring vil- dren a possibility to learn. The small chil- lives, social affirmation, and for better rela- enjoy school books and cannot enjoy read- lage and causes problems for the lunchbreak dren from the village can only hope for an tions both within the district and through- ing. The situation does not seem to be that of the children. This distance decreases the improvement of this situation. The Roma out the country. The adults are always ready tense as long as there is a school in the enthusiasm of the school children to attend community in Ursari has made efforts to school in the neighbouring village of Buda open a school. It has tackled this problem as there is no public transport and the chil- at many meetings with the local adminis- dren have to walk large distances during the tration of the commune and the district. summer heat and also through the snow in Some time the inhabitants of Ursari were the cold winter months. very happy when the news spread that the Mayor will try to solve the school problem. The small children and teenagers from Ur- The local council proposed a two-room sari try to attend the school in Buda, have house in the village and would serve as a to wake up very early. It is a tiring and ex- place for the school. We know that it is a hausting walk to school and takes much en- modest offer, since the building is not in a ergy. Because of this, many children refuse very good state. However, the idea that we to learn and their parents do not bother to will have the possibility to study here in the send them to school without asking them- village made us very happy. Unfortunately, selves what their children will do in the the dream did not last long, because soon, future. These circumstances discourage the the local council realised that there is not school children. It is painful to wake up in enough money to open a school in our na- the morning and to think that you would tive village… like to learn something new today, but then to realise that you have to cover four kilo- metres by foot. MRFM written by: Igor Pivovar MOLDOVA
The The local public authority has undertaken Black a range of measures for cooperation with And White the community of the Roma, like meetings Book k page 60 with citizens, roundtables, group- and in- page 61 In Moldova, the »Most Roma-Friendly May- dividual discussions, etc. The local Mayor´s or« competition was organized in associa- office involves residents of Vulcanesti in the tion of »Porojan« and the Union of Young decision-making process through public Roma »Tarna Rom«. The competition was auditions, public opinion polls, through won by Mr. Valeriu Gutu, Mayor of Cio- direct participation in development and (kindergarten, gymnasium, medical station) A main problem of the local administration resti. The commune of Cioresti is located implementation of the decisions of com- and citizen farms is low school attendance. From a total 198 60 kilometres from Chisinau, the capital munity interest. In the local council of Cio- In February 2010, a newly equipped kin- school pupils, about 70 to 100 children at- of Moldova. Cioresti has 4.624 inhabit- resti, the citizens of the village of Vulcanesti dergarten opened for 50 children in Vulca- tend school on a daily basis. Measures to in- ants, who live in two villages; Cioresti and are represented by the Roma councilor. nesti. The kindergarten employs ten people. crease this number include the following: Vulcanesti. In Cioresti, the majority of the The district Council of Nisporeni, the lo- • Visits to the children’s homes population consists of Moldovans: 3.400 Roma support plan cal Council of Cioresti, the SOIR Mol- • Meetings with parents persons. Vulcanesti counts 1.224 residents, In order to involve the Roma children in dova project and the »Step by Step« project • Financial support who are predominantly of Roma origin. All pre-school, primary, and secondary educa- pooled their resources to get the 150.000 • Provision of material assistance to vulner- in all, about 86% of the population is Roma tion, as well as to motivate the parents to Euros needed to build and equip the kinder- able families here and about 13% consider themselves to have their children participate in the edu- garten. This is the first kindergarten meant • Exemption from payment for textbooks be Moldovans. cational process, the local authority focused specifically for Roma children in Moldova. rent (at present 30 students are exempted) Vulcanesti was founded in 1895. Initially, its activities in the past several years on the In addition, Vulcanesti has one medical sta- the village was populated only by Roma. In opening of the kindergarten and a well tion where a medical assistant works and a Equal treatment 1978, after a massive landslide in the vil- functioning gymnasium qualified family doctor renders his services Mayor Valeriu Gutu of the commune of lage of Cioresti, 80 Moldovan families were In 1992, a school for 380 pupils was built in once a week. In 2007, this medical station Cioresti, believes that he won the “Most resettled to Vulcanest do to its higher geo- Vulcanesti. At present, 198 pupils study at was repaired with the financial support of Roma-Friendly Mayor” competition in graphic positioning. This changed the eth- this school. In 2007, a »parent and teacher the Roma National Centre from Moldova. Moldova for the following reasons: nic make-up of the population. Meanwhile, association« cooperated with local public au- In order to involve the Roma children in • In the recent two years, considerable more than thirty years after the arrival of the thorities and the Roma National Centre of pre-school, primary, and secondary educa- funds have been invested directly in (Roma) Moldovan families, the majority of them Moldova and organized a restoration of the tion, as well as to motivate the parents to community development were assimilated by the Roma, especially gymnasium of Vulcanesti. A new roof was have their children participate in the edu- • Personal involvement in the solution of through the formation of mixed families. built and a heating system was installed. cational process, the local authority focused the most pressing problems of the Roma Nowadays, only 14 families of pure Mol- In 2007, after consultations with the popu- its activities in the past several years on the community dovan origin and 165 Roma families live in lation, the Communal Council of Cioresti opening of the kindergarten and a well • Equal treatment of the different ethnic Vulcanesti. decided on a plan of actions to support the functioning gymnasium. groups of Cioresti Roma of Vulcanesti for the period of 2008- • Turning promises into reality Roma Councilor 2010. The main objectives of this plan were: Future plans • Overcoming the “barrier of inferiority” The relations between the Roma and non- • Opening of a kindergarten for 50 children The Mayor of Cioresti has ambitious plans which has given the Roma the confidence Roma in Vulcanesti and Cioresti are good, • Gasification of Vulcanesti and the social for 2010: The sports hall of the gymnasium that they are treated the same way as the cooperative, trustful and friendly. Mixed institutions within the territory of Vulcanesti will be repaired and supply- other ethnic groups by the local adminis- marriages frequently occur. Throughout the • Installation of telephones and access to ing of potable water to all village residents tration recent years, there were no conflicts between internet is another urgent priority. The mayor is cur- the different ethnic groups. • Supply potable water to social institutions rently trying to attract new investors. 05 positive written by: Laura Anghel and Vlad Bardai Resource Centre for Roma Communities (CRCR)
The CRCR from the Romanian city of Cluj- It’s a cold, bright winter day in Coltau, a vil- decided to set up an NGO to represent and Black Napoca focuses mainly on supporting four lage in north-western Romania. The snow, support the development of the community. And White different youth groups in the cities of Cluj, lying thick on the roofs, glitters playfully, as »I believe it is very important that the Roma Book k page 64 Sebes, Tirgu Mures and Baia Mare. it reflects the rays of the midday sun. The in the community solve their problems, so page 65 The Roma youth clubs in these cities are asphalt road leading to the Roma commu- this NGO is meant to carry the voice of our coached by independent youth workers nity – a result of the locals’ effort to make community«, said Mr. Covaci. who have the goal to make the different their life better – has been cleared of snow. Over the years, a long list of donor organi- youth groups eventually self-organised, in- The size of the houses suggests that the peo- sations provided support for the Roma of dependent youth groups. The youth groups ple living there must be prosperous. Coltau: the Canadian Embassy, Romani promote a positive image of young Roma in Coltau lies in the western part of Mara- CRISS, AIDROM and the German Lu- their region. The regularly meet each other mures County, about ten kilometres from theran Church. Mr. Covaci, who was one of in order to exchange experiences. the county capital city, Baia Mare. Along- the first Roma activists after the 1989 revo- Through network activities, like summer For further information: side Hungarians and Romanians, the village lution, left no opportunity unused to make camps, CRCR enables connections and co- Resource Centre for Roma Communities boasts a sizeable Roma community. The tra- people aware about the situation in which operation between the youth and their clubs. Str. Tebei, nr.21 ditional occupations of the Roma here used the Roma of Coltau had to live. At the local Although the youth clubs are dominated by 400305 Cluj-Napoca to be brick-making and basket-weaving. and the national level he presented the situ- Roma youth, they are open for non-Roma Tel: (40) 264 420474 The Roma also used to be the musicians of ation of the Roma. Mr. Covaci proposed youngsters as well. This summer, CRCR is Coordinator: Claudia Macaria the village, and some used to make a living partnerships and attracted important orga- planning to organise a youth exchange with Email: [email protected] by doing seasonal work in agriculture by nizations to the community. »Because I was Moldovan Roma youngsters. Website: www.romacenter.ro harvesting vegetables and fruit. and I still am interested in the welfare of my community, I brought together NGOs Claiming their rights and important institutions, who wanted to The Roma community of Coltau was not in support us«, says Mr. Covaci. its best shape when the communist regime One of the first projects his NGO - orga fell in 1989. It was only in the early nine- nized focused on creating employment for ties that the Roma felt confident enough to Roma in the community. This project was speak out about their problems, such as their considered a definite success. In addition limited access to education, the bad state of to supporting employment, the Canadian the roads, the lack of a sewage system, the Embassy also funded the Roma of Coltau lack of drinking water in the community, to purchase a warehouse that was turned and the lack of official documents proving into the local school, which now hosts the people’s identity. All these problems needed kindergarten and the Roma first-graders. urgent attention, which is why local Roma Roma teachers as role models leaders started to organise the Roma com- When we entered the Roma community, a munity. The leader of the Roma communi- group of people came out on the street to ty, Iosif Covaci, set up the first local Roma greet us despite the chilly weather. We asked NGO called Lungo Drom in 1995. In the them about their life, and they described years before, he already had participated in the progress they had witnessed in the last many meetings and seminars dedicated to decade. »We have been fighting for a long supporting Roma communities. Then he time for a new road and eventually we man- aged to get one. We are very proud of it. norities’ Festival. The Roma community of The Lungo Drom NGO has supported us Coltau leads a rich cultural life. They use a all the time«, said an elderly Roma woman variety of holidays as opportunities to pro- whom we talked to on her way to the gro- mote performing arts. The International cery store. Day of the Roma People on April 8th is The Roma from Coltau are clearly proud of celebrated with local music and dance every the asphalted road and the drinking water year. Each fall, the village organises the San- supply system. Since 1999, the community dor Petofi Ball. Sandor Petofi was a Hungar- has Roma teachers who function as genu- ian Romantic poet and revolutionary. The k ine role models for the young generation. local legend has it that he brought the first page 67 Since 2004, the community has also ben- Roma woman, his lover, to the community efited from the work of a health mediator, of Coltau. As described already, the Roma who in 2005 was joined in her efforts to community currently has an active NGO, support the Roma community by a school called Lungo Drom, which is chaired by Mr mediator. These developments became Iosif Covaci. possible because of a Phare project which Last but not least, the Roma people have was implemented in 2005 by the Ministry three counsellors in the local council. The of Education using European funds. The Roma representatives in the Coltau City Ministry partnered with the County School Council support, inform, and promote the Inspectorate of Maramures, and the local Roma community. They propose measures Town Hall. Through this Phare project, the for the Roma community of Coltau at the community also got a new school and kin- local, county and even national levels in dergarten building. various circumstances. Thanks to the efforts of all the above, and to the partnerships the Lungo Drom local community has engaged in, Coltau is a Coltau is home to a group of Roma mu- thriving community with numerous future sicians, who are known in Romania and plans for further development. The com- abroad as ›Lungo Drom‹. They play Roma munity wants to build a chapel, as well as music and perform dances to entertain a sewage system in the Roma community. large audiences. ›Lungo Drom‹ started per- These plans have already endorsed by the forming in 1990. The same year they were Mayor of Coltau. awarded the first prize in the Romanian Mi- negative written by: Laura Barna and Sorin Alexandru Rad
The Could you live one day in a room with fif- running water, gas or electricity available to population is one of marginalization and Other organisations tried to help the Roma Black teen other persons, without furniture, gas, the Roma, as they are located far away, on discrimination. There is a bus connecting from Haranglab with getting jobs, but they And White electricity and running water? Imagine near- the edge of the village. Haranglab and Mica available to all villagers were also unsuccessful. Book k page 68 ly 200 people living in sixteen of such rooms except for the Roma, who are not allowed to page 69 in those conditions. In July 2004, the mayor of Comuna Mica get on the bus because of their ´bad smell´. Unfortunately, the low self-esteem of the decided that the area inhabited by the Roma One woman said, »We do not allow gyp- Roma in Haranglab prevents them from Haranglab is a village in Comuna Mica, sit- should be cleared, and thus 200 people had sies to go on the bus with us, because they standing up for their rights. A project with uated in Mures county. The village counts to move into six rooms of five by five metres. smell bad.« Another woman said: »I do not the aim of providing education and practi- about 900 inhabitants, of whom 700 are The Roma had to spend one week without allow gypsy people to enter my bar because cal instructions to the people in the Roma Hungarians and Romanians, and 200 are a roof above their heads in improvised tents of their bad smell. They stink.« community, teaching them how to make Roma. and log cabins, as they were forced to relo- use of their skills and abilities would be cate before the new rooms were ready. Unsuccessful support beneficial to the community. Such a project Living in boxes In the past, several organisations tried to would help the Roma to come up with so- The Roma in Haranglab have no land. In Alcoholism and violence support the Roma in Haranglab and to im- lutions to their own problems. It would en- the past, they used to live in small cave-like Although some of the Roma from Haran- prove their situation. One of them is ›Arme courage initiatives within the community, houses which they dug in the hills near the glab still master the traditional craft of mat lazarius‹. This charity and human rights so they would become able to defend them- village. In July 2004, the village council of weaving, many of them have to live from organisation tried to help the Haranglab selves when the authorities obstruct actions Haranglab relocated the whole Roma com- begging around the village. Many of the Roma, but they were not supported by the in favour of the Roma. If they make their munity to an area on the edge of the vil- men suffer from alcoholism and they often village council. The organisation started voices heard with the local authorities, they lage, where the municipality built sixteen mistreat their wives in front of their chil- building a house with the purpose of cre- can claim their rights to better living condi- box rooms of five metres by five metres, in dren. There are scenes of violence almost ating a place where humanitarian activities tions and equal opportunities in education which 40 families were moved, without wa- every day and they may lead to suicide at- for the Roma could be organised. The May- for their children. ter, gas, electricity or other facilities which tempts due to poor living conditions. or tried unsuccessfully to stop the building are available to the other inhabitants of the of the house. The house was in use until village. The rooms had no furniture, only The local school offered the Roma commu- 2007, but because of the constant opposi- concrete floors, no windows and the roof nity one single classroom, where primary tion, the organisation ceased its activities in was made of straw and tin to protect them school children learn in the morning, while that year. from wind and rain. secondary school children learn in the af- Ereikshjalpen is another humanitarian or- ternoon. ganisation that tried to support the Roma The distance from Comuna Mica to Haran- The villagers consider the Roma to be stu- community, but the opposition from the glab village is huge; the road crosses areas pid, bad-smelling and ignorant. The Ha- authorities led to the abandonment of their of pasture. It is nearly impossible to make ranglab villagers’ attitude towards the Roma project to build a house for the local Roma. written by: negative
The Apalina is a village in Reghin, a municipal- A quarter of the Roma people in Apalina Neglecting the Roma with stone. The local administration paid Black ity in Mures County in central Romania. never went to school, and over a third only When one hears about Apalina, you may 7,500 EUR to match the somewhat over And White You might have come across the name of went to primary school. When they go think »Roma«, but not all Apalinans are 100,000 EUR contributed by RSDF. Book k page 70 Apalina in reports about violent events that out of their quarters searching for work, Roma. In fact, both infrastructure projects The main roads were finally clad in asphalt, page 71 happened here less than four months before they would prefer to hide that they come mentioned above managed to use up their just before the 2009 winter set in. Mr Iosif Romania’s accession to the European Union from Apalina, because Apalinans are usu- funds júst before they reached the streets Biga, the Roma leader from Apalina, ex- on January 1st, 2007. In autumn 2006, in a ally regarded by other people as thieves and called Caprioarei and Soimilor. The Roma pressed his satisfaction: »We always hoped raid of special law enforcement units, more troublemakers, so who would hire them, people were deeply frustrated. »Why are that these roads would be asphalted. We, the than twenty locals of Apalina were shot. even for a day? It was not long ago that they neglecting us? Aren’t we entitled to the Roma of Apalina, have finally been granted Members of the European Parliament came Roma Apalinans couldn’t hide where they same facilities as the other Apalinans?«, the a cleaner and more hygienic life«. One can to investigate and expressed their protest were coming from. Their muddy boots in Roma asked themselves. They decided to however doubt whether he is completely against the authorities’ choice of handling the rainy season or their dusty clothes in the petition the municipal hall of Reghin and pleased with the results. When there’s no the events. The acts of violence were pri- dry season would quickly make clear where asked for the Prefect of Mures County to microphone held up in front of the Roma, marily borne out of poverty and frustration. they came from. come and see for himself the conditions their leaders admit that judging by the qual- More than three years after the events, there they lived in. Ciprian Dobre, the Mures ity of the work, the roads might not last for are plenty of reasons why many Apalinan Streets turning into Prefect, visited the Roma neighbourhood long, and if the decision-makers had done Roma are still frustrated with their standard mudflows in Apalina on September 25th of 2007. He some more profound thinking, they would of living. One aspect of their community There are two main roads running roughly listened to the representatives of the Roma first have put in the long-promised sewage though, has improved significantly: they parallel down the Roma neighbourhood: community. He concluded that the issues system, and only then built the roads. now have asphalted roads. Caprioarei and Soimilor streets. These the Roma faced were »serious, and some of There are still a number of issues that claim streets have narrower side streets branching them need urgent measures.« One of these the full attention of both the local commu- Houses wearing the out between the houses. Until about a year burning issues was the roads. Still, yet an- nity in Apalina and the local authorities. colour of misery ago, these arteries of the neighborhood reg- other year went by, and Apalina had to be The lack of a sewage system is a serious issue Apalina is inhabited by 262 Roma families, ularly turned into mudflows. The holes in entered among the 100 poorest communi- with implications for health and the envi- totaling about 1,150 people. The Roma live the earth roads were a threat to any motor ties in Romania to actually get the ball roll- ronment. However, with a strongly organ- quite separate from their non-Roma fellow vehicle daring to drive along them. Those ing in favor of the Roma in Apalina. ised Roma community, it is likely that after citizens. Some of the houses of the Roma who decided to risk the holes had to endure some time there will be other reports of are made of brick, some of mud. Some are the curses of the people on the sidewalks, A new life for Apalina successful, long-awaited achievements here. covered with regular roofs, others with large as they usually would be covered by clouds On January 16th, 2008, thirty Roma people pieces of nylon as a roof to keep the rain, of dust which were raised by the cars, or by from Apalina came together and had their but not the winter cold at bay. A few of the splashes of mud that often landed on the Initiative Group registered with the Reghin people who live here work in the construc- newly painted walls. municipal hall. This was a necessary bureau- tion sector. Their houses are better-looking In 2005, things changed when the local au- cratic step for them to become beneficiaries and painted in a variety of bright colours: thorities decided to build roads in Apalina. of the money allocated by the Romanian from yellow through ochre to orange and In addition, in 2006, money from the Ro- Social Development Fund (RSDF). »A green. Most people, though, are seasonal manian government geared towards improv- New Life for Apalina« was the title of the workers; their houses rather wear the color ing infrastructure in rural areas was used in project that led to the building of the new of misery. the rural-looking neighbourhood of Apa- asphalt roads down the Caprioarei and So- lina to extend the sewage system. imilor streets. The side streets were paved MRFM written by: Claudia Macaria ROMANIA
The Black And White Book k page 72 The most Roma-friendly Mayor in Roma- lage regularly sees Danish visitors. They do page 73 nia is Ioan Aldea, Mayor of the Băgaciu not come on holidays, but they experience commune in Mureş County. Mr. Aldea is Bagaciu as a recovery place for elderly people in his third term as mayor. He was elected who usually live in special nursing homes or by a Romanian selection committee of five are people on special recovery programmes. persons. This committee consisted of both This activity adds to the positive image of Roma and non-Roma people. the village and it is also a source of income for the villagers. »I never considered myself different from other people. Roma, Romanians and Hun- Issuing documents garians, we are all the same«, says Mr. Al- During the last ten years, Băgaciu under- dea, the 51-year old Mayor of Bagaciu, who took a very impressive number of actions in Employment for Roma the completion of the building of the kin- is not connected to any political party. Ac- order to improve the situation of the Roma In accordance with Law 76/2002 with re- dergarten, the school, and on completing cording to Mr. Aldea, with his unprejudiced people. For instance, measures were taken to gard to employment policies, twenty Roma the multipurpose sports centre which will stance, he can easily reach out to the people facilitate the issuing of identity documents people were given jobs in the last few years. benefit of the 350 school children and other in his community. »In this way I succeeded for those lacking them. The municipality In addition, the so-called water supply proj- youth in the village. not only to get to know the Roma people also organised parent meetings in partner- ect of the municipality, and more recently better, but also to reach mutual respect for ship with the school headmaster, in order to the sewage project, included all the streets Future plans each other. The proof of this my re-election emphasize the importance of education for in the village with no exceptions for the Finally, Mayor Aldea has the following fu- for three consecutive mandates«. school children. As a result of these meet- Roma neighbourhoods.This is still not all: a ture plans: ings, the school attendance among Roma nursery school and a school are being built • To build water supply systems for the newly Danish visitors children increased. for the over 350 Roma children. Further, built houses on the land which the munici- The commune of Bagaciu is made up of the Christmas gifts have been given to school pality allotted to the Roma families villages Băgaciu and Deleni. The total num- During the last years, the roads in Bagaciu children every year, and the local dance • To make pavements for all the streets in ber of inhabitants of the Băgaciu commune were asphalted and gravelled; including all group, performing Roma dances received the village is 1348, with 71% Roma, 25% Romanian, the streets where Roma people live. The financial support from the municipality. • To replant 300 hectares of grapevines in 3% Hungarian and 1% Saxon inhabitants. municipality extended the electricity distri- the former Agrozooviticola cooperative that The first historical records date back to bution network and fifteen poor families re- At the moment, the community is in on- are derelict at present 1351, when the village was recorded under ceived financial support which covered the going negotiations with a German investor • To attract investors to the area since all the name Bogeschdorf. expenses needed for introducing electricity who bought approximately 150 hectares of economic conditions are favourable as in- into their houses. The municipality bought land in the Bagaciu area and is planning frastructure already exists: running water, Around 1821, Saxons from German origin approximately two hectares of land to be to plant grapevines and develop a business electricity, gas, sewage, roads and ready brought Romanian and Roma serfs to the allotted to 43 Roma families for building employing local people. The municipality workforce village to work in agriculture and animal houses. Furthermore, the municipality would like to employ as many local Roma as breeding. After the Saxons departed, the granted material and financial aid in order possible in the proposed vineyards. Bagaciu All in all, Mayor Ioan Aldea truly deserves Roma and Romanian people stayed on to to renovate places of worship for various re- is also supporting the renovation of the ex- the title »Most Roma-Friendly Mayor« in continue the work. In recent years, the vil- ligious communities. ternal part of the houses of Roma families Romania! with municipal funds. It is also working on
written by: Biser Alekov ried about the existence of any policies for • The Roma network members experience Roma so far in their country and about the high expectations towards them; at the same steps for democratization which the gov- time they cannot solve all existing problems ernment takes. Despite this, there are some • The limited number of adopted local Roma positive developments. In a meeting on strategies do not lead to significant changes March 14th, 2010, Turkish Prime Minister in the countries The Participation of Roma in mainstream society The Macedonian Roma representatives from Erdogan met with representatives of Turkish Black should be done at the local level. However, the North-East of their country succeeded Roma organizations and announced mea- The representatives of the different Roma And White the framework for such participation should to include Roma in different institutions sures for improving Roma living standards grassroots networks concluded their meet- Book k page 76 be set by Roma policies at the national level. through the so-called Ohrid Framework, and actions for countering discriminatory ing with the following demands: page 77 Such policies to improve the living condi- a Macedonian piece of legislation which practices in Turkey. The Turkish Roma • Investments in Roma human resources at tions for Roma do exist in South-Eastern provides regulations for minority repre- representatives also shared their experiences the local level are needed to ensure equal Europe, but are the words on paper also sentation. Further, the Macedonian Parlia- with organizing a national round table for participation in society implemented into practice? This is one of ment adopted a Roma strategy in 2005 and Roma and addressed Roma issues not only • Roma representation at local councils is the central questions for GORD, a network since 2009 it also offers financial support for as social issues, but also as issues within the limited and should be strengthened of grassroots Roma groups from Bulgaria. Roma initiatives. In municipalities where context of the larger society. • There is a lack of mechanisms which en- In December 2009, GORD invited 30 rep- civil society manages to build up pressure, sure the exercising of active citizenship in resentatives from Roma grassroots organisa- local strategies for Roma are adopted as well. Similar implementation prob- the society tions to an international meeting in Sofia, For instance, this happened in the Macedo- lems in all four countries • Mechanisms for introducing the national Bulgaria. The participants came from Tur- nian municipality of Delchevo. The goal of The Roma representatives from the four Roma policies at the local level are missing, key, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Albania, and the Macedonian representatives is to initiate countries concluded that a lot of similarities such should be introduced in the national they used the meeting to exchange experi- civil groups which will compel the authori- exist between their countries when it comes legislatures ences about Roma policy implementation ties to adopt and implement Roma policies to the implementation of national Roma • National Roma policies should also be re- at the local level. at the local level in more regions. This hap- policies on the local level. Some of these flected in the national budgets pens only in the municipalities where there similarities are the following issues: • Changes in administrative law should be Quick scan is an active Roma civic structure. • National strategic documents on Roma considered in order to ensure that there are In the autumn of 2009, representatives from In Albania, the municipalities are usually policy seem to contain »window dressings« mechanisms to link the implementation of the Bulgarian GORD network initiated a badly informed about the existence of the for international bodies in most of the the national Roma policies at the local level quick scan, which focused on the imple- national strategy for Roma (this strategy is countries, with no real implementation • Growing »anti-gypsyism« should be tack- mentation of the Bulgarian national Roma similar to the Albanian Roma Decade Strat- mechanisms at the local level led policy at the local level. The scan was done egy). Roma organizations are usually seen • In places where there are no active Roma • A comprehensive EU Roma policy should in 21 Bulgarian municipalities. The results by municipalities and local governments organizations, Roma issues are not in the be priority at EU level in order to overcome were really shocking: The research made as structures which bring funds for solving agenda the existing position and status of Roma clear that although a national Roma policy specific issues. The representatives of the exists, many mayors and local councils are Roma Active Albania (RAA) Network are either completely unaware of these poli- trying to compel the local municipalities cies or very reluctant to adopt them since to implement the national Roma strategy, the municipality would be obliged to allo- but the municipalities usually respond that cate funding for solving Roma issues. This they do not have special funds for Roma is- demonstrates the typical attitude of many sues available. The Albanian network is also authorities. In fact, one could describe this lobbying for Roma representation in the as »applied anti-gypsyism« at the grassroots administration and in the local councils, level. »In fourteen out of the 21 researched but this needs political engagement and the municipalities, strategies or plans on Roma mainstream parties are not interested to put issues are missing«, said Gancho Iliev, one Roma in electable positions. of the Bulgarian GORD activists who took The Turkish Roma representatives are wor- part in the research.