Romania and EU launch partnership to support Roma communities

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Published 14 February 2002 - Updated 29 January 2010

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minorities Roma

The Romanian Government and the Commission's Delegation to Romania opened a Resources Center for Roma communities to develop a partnership between local public authorities, Roma communities and NGOs. The Center is part of the Romanian Government's strategy for Roma, adopted in 2001.

The new Partnership Fund for Roma Communities continues the 1998 programme and offers support for projects concerning:

the improvement of education for the disadvantaged Roma communities;
the improvement of access of Roma communities to the job market;
literacy or elementary education for Roma adults;
increased access by Roma communities to the health service;
health education, diagnosis and vaccination;
public information campaigns to tackle discrimination;
public campaigns concerning the Strategy of the Romanian Government for improving the Roma situation;
radio and TV programmes for Roma communities;
the issuing of identity cards for all Roma citizens;
properties belonging to Roma citizens;
increased access of Roma to public services.

The EU provides financing to an amount between 10,000 and 50,000 euro per project, and the applicants must contribute 10% of the value of the project.

Positions:

The Head of the Commission's Delegation to Romania, Mr Jonathan Scheele, stated that "the Center proves the devotion of the European Union, as well as of the Romanian Government, to supporting the improvement of the Roma situation. We expect to receive good financing applications that transpose this devotion into concrete and viable projects".

The Public Information Minister, Mr Vasile Dancu, declared that "the Romanian Government considers that successful implementation of the Strategy for Roma Communities can be implemented only through a real partnership between the administration, Roma leaders and NGOs. We consider that the Partnership Fund for Roma Communities supports the Romanian Government in order to improve the situation of the Roma communities".

Background:

In 1998, the EU launched a Partnership Fund for Roma Communities that allocated 900,000 euro for projects concerning partnerships between local authorities and Roma communities. To date, 40 out of 344 projects have been approved and will be implemented.

The Fund also supported the Romanian Government's own efforts to implement conditions for a Strategy for improving conditions for the Roma community, in April 2001. The strategy addresses public administration, housing, social security, health, justice and public order, child protection, education, culture and religion, and communication.