New water dispensing system helps social inclusion in Spišské Podhradie, Slovakia

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Access to water is a prerequisite for ensuring personal hygiene, which is an important factor in integrating members of all ages of the Roma communities into society.Ing. Dávid Bodnár, Manager for information and communication, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak RepublicWith the help of the European Regional Development fund, a water pipe was constructed, connecting a reliable source of water with three drinking water dispensing points. Residents use a chip card to get water from these points.Safe drinking waterThe project helped overcome the lack of a safe source of drinking water for the 298 Roma residents living in 38 households in lower-standard apartment buildings on Štefánikova street in Spišské Podhradie.Until recently, the only nearby source of water came from a local well. This water was not only of poor quality, but also insufficient.Providing residents with a reliable and safe source of drinking water allows them to improve their personal hygiene and living conditions. This increases their chances of integration in all aspects of society: education, provision of government services, and the labour market.A nationwide effortA nationwide EU-funded program led by the Slovak Ministry of Interior is carrying out projects such as the water dispensing system in Spišské Podhradie to improve the living conditions of the country’s Roma population.The Romani make up over 9 % of Slovakia’s population, or about 500 000 people.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Spišské Podhradie – Rybníček, water supply” is EUR 141 250, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 120 062 through the “Human Resources” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Technical facilities in municipalities with high share of marginalised Roma communities”.