SOCIAL INCLUSION PROJECT

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The Social Inclusion Project (SIP) will help the Government of Romania implement the Joint Inclusion Memorandum (JIM) through assistance given to the existing, or emerging programs that address the needs of the vulnerable/disadvantaged groups of Roma, persons with disabilities (PWDs), youth at risk, and victims of domestic violence. Through the SIP, the technical relationships that have already been developed will continue, by explicitly using, and thus building, country systems. Hence, the SIP will contribute to increasing Romania's capacity to use European Union (EU) structural funds. The Project is designed to be consistent with Government reforms, fostering ownership and authority within local authorities, while transforming the ministries into technical entities, rather than implementers. The first component entails a Priority Interventions Program, aimed at reducing poverty while building capacities. It will include improved small infrastructure - roads, water and sanitation, and basic housing - community-based social services - education, health, advocacy and social support - trained staff for social services and trained community members, an improved environment; and, increased participation of Roma communities in local decision making processes. A second component, the inclusive early childhood education (ECE) program will mainstream Roma into the regular policies and programs of the Ministry of Education and Research (MER), through activities such as, construction, extension, rehabilitation and furnishing of ECE infrastructure, in communities with a high percentage of Roma populations, will develop an inclusive ECE curriculum, and the provision of training to ECE staff. Development and distribution of ECE teaching and learning materials will follow, as will the provision of technical assistance to entities financing applications for projects to be financed through EU structural funds. Integrated services and alternative community-based solutions for ECE will be promoted, including the development of a coherent ECE legislation. The third component comprises the Disabilities Program, the Youth at Risk Program, and the Victims of Domestic Violence Program, whose key inputs and outputs include: goods, works, training, and consultant services, and, trained staff, monitoring and evaluation methodology, methodological guidelines; and public information materials, respectively. Finally, the fourth component will focus on capacity building for Roma social inclusion, to include training, consultant services and goods, and, a functional monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for the National Agency for Roma (NAR), trained staff, trained Roma groups able to prepare projects for accessing EU funds, and an Inclusive Early Childhood (IEC) strategy developed and implemented.