Bosnia and Herzegovina

Home , Doboj, Kakanj, Tuzla, Visoko, Zenica

FundedThis byProject the European is funded Union Implemented by: by the European Union

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Project

“Increased Education Opportunities for Roma Students and Youth in Western Balkans and Turkey” October 2018 - September 2019

Implementing partners: 1. Association Roma Support Centre “Romalen” Kakanj works towards improving the living conditions of the Roma population throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and supports the preservation of linguistic, cultural and ethnic identity of Roma. The Association has implemented over 100 projects during 15 years of its work, the majority of which are educational projects and projects that contribute to strengthening of Roma communities. we aim to: • improve school readiness and early childhood development for at least 65 Roma children aged 3-6 in Visoko municipality and Kakanj, including enhancing parenting skills • increase enrollment rate, attendance rate, retention rate and academic success of at least 37 Roma pupils in elementary schools in 1st and 2nd grades through improvement of their school performance and involvement of their parents in education process.

Improved cooperation between the Association Roma Support Centre “Romalen” Kakanj and project Municipalities Visoko and Kakanj as well as public preschool institutions in Visoko and Kakanj. Both preschool institutions provide space for Toy Libraries.

2. Association of Roma “Euro Rom” Tuzla 10 20 7 Roma children enrolled Roma children enrolled Roma children has been working over 15 years. It is in mandatory preschool in project-based enrolled in manda- education in Visoko summer preschool tory preschool recognized as the Association that deals municipality in school preparation in Visoko, education in Kakanj with issues Roma face in education, year 2018/2019 organized by Romalen Municipality health care, employment and housing, with the greatest emphasis on the edu- 8 cation and health care. local facilitators were trained to work with parents and parenting 3 clubs we aim to: early childhood Roma mediators were recruit- EXPANDING ACCESS ed for project purposes, TO QUALITY EDUCATION • provide inancial and academic two in Kakanj and one EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES in Visoko support through better outreach, 96 merit-based scholarships and school- home visits to Roma families for the based tutoring/mentoring of Roma purposes of early childhood care students in Zenica-Doboj Canton • build a bridge between secondary and tertiary education, as well as 25 24 Toy libraries established local enumerators were Roma children enrolled in – one in Visoko and one trained to collect between secondary education and project-based summer in Kakanj, co-funded by International Develop- preschool preparation in the Kakanj municipality ment and Early Learning labor market for students Kakanj, organized by (provision of free venue Assessment (IDELA) "Romalen". and adaptation) data from the field

www.romaeducationfund.org • REF Project Country Facilitator for Bosnia and Herzegovina Aida Mihajlovic, [email protected] INCREASING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION OF ROMA STUDENTS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION AND TRANSITION TO LABOUR MARKET

1 1 female male

1 female and 1 male students received scholarships in 2018/19 academic year

3 POLICY EVENT female LAUNCH PROJECT EVENT placements provided to female secondary school students in 2019 2019 Zenica (in trade, catering and MAY textile industries) FEBRUARY 6 30

2male placements provided to male oma secondary school students in Visoko (in mechanic shop and at school as a part of curriculum)

EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS SYNERGY MAP • Memorandum of Understanding signed between REF SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zenica-Doboj Canton • Collaboration at national level established with the Mi- EDUCATION nistry of Human Rights and Refugees Bosnia and Herze- • State authorities should provide additional support to Roma govina, Ministry of Education and Science Tuzla Canton, children through mentoring, tutoring and scholarships to Ministry of Interior Tuzla Canton, Ministry of Work and improve academic success, prevent early school leaving and Social Affairs Zenica-Doboj Canton increase transition to the next level of education. • Cooperation established with international organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina such as the Organization for • State authorities are urged to find adequate solutions for Security and Cooperation in Europe, United Nations, returnee children to continue quality education with their European Commission, Council of Europe peers. • Cooperation established with the local public and state-owned companies such as Health Centre Kakanj, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES “Vodokom” Kakanj, Prima • Partnership with local civil society organizations • State is urged to continuously invest in clearing the path established with Tuzla Community Foundation, LED to employment, through vocational education and profes- Zenica sional development programs for Roma upon graduation. • Cooperation established with the Employ ment Office of Zenica-Doboj Canton and 5 municipal Employment • To establish a database on Roma beneficiaries that will Offices in Zenica, Kakanj, Visoko, Breza and Zavidovici. enable monitoring of the program efficiency.

As a result of the policy event and the project activities, the POLICY CHANGES Federal Employment Service of BiH has changed its Pro- gram for Co-financing Roma Employment in 2019. • State should adopt Strategic Platform to Address Issues of National Minorities Issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Typically, the Federal Employment Service has been • State is urged to ensure more favorable conditions and de- allocating 6,000 BAM per person for Roma employment velopment opportunities for Roma women and sensitize so- activities (for 12 months period). The modification in its ciety and institutions towards Roma women issues. State 2019 public call is that for the first time the Agency would must guarantee financial resources to all Roma women in- co-finance employers for hiring Roma with a terested in obtaining primary and secondary education. university degree, registered as unemployed, with the amount of (1) 8,000 BAM per person for 12 months full text of recommendations are available here: or (2) 16,000 BAM per person, for 24 months. https://www.romaeducationfund.org/western-balkans-and-turkey-roma-education-projects-policy-event-of-ref-in-sarajevo-bosnia-and-herzegovina/

www.romaeducationfund.org • REF Project Country Facilitator for Bosnia and Herzegovina Aida Mihajlovic, [email protected] 2 TOY LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN OPENED IN KAKANJ AND VISOKO

Toy Library is an innovative approach to early growth, development and learning of children from 0 to 6 years. All toys are educational, as they are adapted to the age of the children and safe to use. Some 130 children and their parents will have the opportunity to benefit from the services provided through the early childhood care and education program in both communities.

www.romaeducationfund.org

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Roma Education Fund and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.