8 projects of support to the Roma communities – 8 positive stories

8 small grants were awarded to the 8 Roma NGOs within the project ”Support to implementation of the national action plans for Roma inclusion” which is funded by the EU and successfully implemented by the CARE International.

Roma organisations from Sarajevo, Tuzla, Bijeljina, Zavidovici, Prnjavor and Visoko each received small grants of up to 2.500 Euros for project which addressed daily life problems of Roma in their communities such as connection to water supply network, reconstruction of damaged houses, instalment of the street lights, fighting against child begging on the streets and poverty, rebuilding and construction of roads in Roma settlements.

The positive stories of these projects were presented at the Press conference organised by the CARE International on 11 October 2012 at the BiH Parliamentary Assembly building in Sarajevo.

Natalia Dianiskova, Head of Operations Section for the Social Development, Civil Society and Cross Border Cooperation of the EU Delegation to BiH said on this occasion “Further support by the European Union to the most vulnerable categories of the BiH citizens is envisioned through IPA funds but will require interest and engagement of the government institutions and cooperation and coordination at all levels as well as the concrete achievements. We expect further cooperation with all levels of government and Roma communities not only in the field of reconstruction of housing but also in the fields of education, employment, health and any other sector where the EU support could provide the most tangible results.”

European Union funded this project from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA 2008) in the amount of 499.500 Euros. CARE International participates in the project funding with 55.000 Euros and is implementing project in cooperation with the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and the Roma partner organisation EURO-ROM from Tuzla. Local governments at the municipal level also provided significant material support to these efforts. Five BiH municipalities donated additional 35.500 BAM to the initial CARE International’s donation of nearly 40.000 BAM.

Following is an overview of the Roma organisations and projects that benefited from these grants:

1. The project “A better life for the Roma community” implemented by the Association of Roma “Returnee” from Tuzla

For the first time in several generations of Roma in this village they have an asphalt road.

2. The project “Protect children from the streets” implemented by the Association “Otaharin” from Bijeljina

Direct communication was established with parents about child begging on the streets and 4 families with more than 30 members got water.

3. The project “We do not want to be different from others” implemented by the Association “Romani Girl – Romani ĆEJ”

This Roma settlement can now be reached via road which was reconstructed through the project.

4. The project “Out of the darkness” implemented by the Association of citizens “Happy Roma” from Tuzla

Street lights were installed in their settlement thanks to which their children can among other things finally go to school and come back home free and without fear.
5. The project “Improvement of living conditions in the settlement” implemented by the Association “Life of Roma” from Sarajevo

Roof was repaired, house rebuilt, new bathroom constructed which improved living conditions of 6 families with more than 20 members.

6. The project “Old as new” implemented by the Association “Romas” in Sarajevo

Residential facilities in the Roma settlement in Sarajevo Canton were renewed through this project improving living conditions for over 20 Roma families. The added value of the project is cooperation of 6 Sarajevo Roma organisations that will initiate the establishment of a network of Roma and cultural center in the future.

7. The project “Street lights” implemented by the Association of Roma “Amaro Kham-our sun” from Visoko

Street lighting was installed in the Roma settlement Ljetovik where 94 families are settled in

8. The project “Cleaning of Roma settlements in the municipality of Zavidovici” implemented by the Citizens’ Association “Roma without borders”

This project showed that Roma can take care of their community. They cleaned their community, decorated Roma settlements Rupina Dol, Drago and others in the municipality Zavidovici, and worked on raising awareness of Roma on culture of life through environmental workshops.

Europa.ba