Roma CSOs promoting EU Values

ongoing

Local Roma civil society organisations are at the forefront of the fight against antigypsyism. Their work against educational segregation, child poverty, and hate speech, or for more local democracy and solidarity does not only benefit the Roma themselves, but also other disadvantaged groups and society at large, as it will lead to more inclusive and equal communities that are based on EU values and fundamental rights. However, local Roma civil society is up to many challenges. The problems they are addressing are so urgent and manyfold that there is little to no time or resources to strengthen their organisational infrastructure and to become more resilient. Often, these organisations only consist of a handful of activists, who struggle to find volunteers as most Roma, struggling to make ends meet, do not have time for volunteering. Often activists have to leave the country for better income opportunities in Western Europe. Donors are often wary of giving funds to organisations who do not have staff with higher educational qualifications. This project aims to support Roma and pro-Roma civil society – and especially those from remote areas to become more effective and resourceful in their promotion of EU values. Through financial support as well as capacity-building, the consortium partners will equip Roma and pro-Roma civil society to better work towards issues such as: Access to fundamental rights, promotion of equality, improved civic participation and democracy, increased awareness of the human rights situation of the Roma, better monitoring of the implementation of national Roma strategies and improved dialogue between Roma and authorities. Their work will help to promote, safeguard and raise awareness of rights and Union values at local, regional, national and transnational level. The project will support 120 local Roma and pro-Roma CSOs and 15 national Roma coalitions in Spain, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and across the EU.