Removing illegal waste sites in Cernina, Slovakia, with the help of local Romani

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The project contributed to improving the living conditions of the Roma community on the outskirts of the municipality and of the inhabitants of the municipality, to the beautification and recultivation of the municipal areas, fuller use of the municipality territory and reduction of environmental burdens.Ing. Dávid Bodnár, Manager for information and communication, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak RepublicUntil recently, there were three illegal dumps in the Cernina municipality. With the help of the European Regional Development Fund, all three landfills were rehabilitated and steps taken to prevent the illegal deposit of solid municipal and construction waste in the environment.Involving local residentsThe three sites were about 100 to 200 m apart, and near a segregated Roma settlement on the outskirts of the municipality. The 104 residents could not dispose of the landfills by themselves, which is why the municipality stepped in and involved them in the clean-up.This taught them how to handle waste in a sustainable way that respects the environment. Rehabilitating the area surrounding the settlement has improved their chances of a more dignified life and greater social inclusion.Illegal landfills threaten both the environment and the populationIllegal landfills are a recurring issue in the Slovak Republic. They threaten ecosystems and pose a considerable risk for the country’s population. Rain can wash pollutants into the soil and contaminate groundwater. In the case of Cernina, these landfills threatened a nearby forest, where there are several natural wells, and crop fields.The removal of the waste sites contributed to the beautification of the municipality and reduced the pressure humans place on the environment.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Clearance works in illegal waste tips in Cernina” is EUR 59 858, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 50 879 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”.