Building up capacity for Roma inclusion at local level

Kosice, November 6th, 2013

ROMACT

Building political commitment and capacity for policy development based on a better understanding of Roma inclusion

ROMACT

A joint initiative of:

Council of Europe European Commission European Alliance of Cities and Regions

for Roma Inclusion

ROMACT

A response to the conclusions of theSummit of Mayors on Roma:

BUILDING MUTUAL TRUST AT THE GRASSROOTS

(Strasbourg, France, 22 September 2011)

ROMACT / ROMED2 countries and cities: 2013-2014

ROMACT countries: Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Italy,

ROMACT/ROMED2 cities in Slovakia:6 municipalities

ROMACT

Building political commitment and capacity for policy development based on a better understanding of Roma inclusion

ROMACT target groups

Elected local officials

Executives from local authorities

Pressure on local authorities

LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

National strategies

Daily needs and requests from the local community

ROMACT will:

Build capacity for implementation of policies and practices that improve Roma inclusion;

Support the establishment and enforcement of mechanisms and processes ensuring good governance standards;

Improve the efficiency, effectiveness, ownership and sustainability of local policies.

ROMACT enables local authorities

overcome the challenges and barriers;

provide concrete outputs relevant for Roma needs

ROMACT activities

Country workshop for elected decision-makers

Country workshop for local executives Tailor-made thematic local workshops Local processes Web-platform National meetings to reflect on progress Transnational exchanges

ROMACT offers to local authorities

Information and awareness for elected officials Training for staff of local authorities, including

decision-making executives A set of tools and practical resources Tailor-made support for the elaboration and

implementation of local policies for Roma inclusion Support for local processes integrating Roma

concerns into mainstream policies Opportunities to exchange experiences and reflect

on successes and failures

ROMED 2

Democratic governance and community participation through mediation

Persistent challenges

Current situation is characterised in many locations by at least some of the following features: Unequal and unfair distribution of community

resources, disfavouring Roma Lack of consultation mechanisms or, where such

mechanisms exist, exclusion of Roma or tokenism Paternalistic attitudes / dependency Mutual mistrust and mutual blaming between Roma

and public institutions

Need to change

From a vicious circle of blame and discouragement To a virtuous circle of trust-building and cooperation

From Dependency and paternalismTo Empowerment and recognition

Stimulate respect for human rights and active citizenship

Building on ROMED (2011-2013)

ROMED (1) was a training programme for mediators working

with Roma communities developed competences of mediators

promoted a new approach to mediation, based on human rights and with the aim of generating empowerment of Roma and enhanced accountability on the side of public institutions

Lessons learned from ROMED (1)

The approach promoted was new for most mediators but appreciated ad useful and needed

Positive results have been obtained

But…

Lessons learned from ROMED (1)

Envisaged involvement of representatives of public institutions in the training and in the cooperation with mediators was lower than expected

Mediators need more support to implement effectively the work cycle

Sustainability is also a matter of concern

Inclusive participatory democracy

Public authorities

All categories of citizens, including members of disadvantaged communities, minorities, etc.

Develop, implement and evaluate public

policiesVote

ConsultContribute to all phases of public

policy cycle.Influence

public policies

Building capacity on both sides

The new ROMED2 programme: aims at supporting local partners (local

administration and Roma communities) to engage each other in a partnership that

leads to a balance of powers, shared resources, and positive change in local decisions.

The second phase of the ROMED programme will work simultaneously on both Roma citizens’ ability to participate and the authority’s ability to respond.

Community empowerment

Roma citizens are encouraged and supported to participate in a Community Action Group

The Community Action Group is supported to engage in a dialogue with authorities

Institutional capacity building

Training is provided to staff of the public institutions involved

Expected results: Awareness of their responsibilities (principles of good

governance) Better understanding of Roma situation and needs Recognition of the Community Action Group Concrete measures decided together A sustainable system ensuring participation of Roma

The mediator

Works with both parties and supports them to engage in effective dialogue

Additional support is provided by the National Programme Officer and the team of trainers

Expected outcomes

Competences and skills for participation Motivation and trust that participation can

have results Community Action Group – a flexible structure

recognised by authorities as a partner of dialogue

Mechanisms of consultation involving Roma Concrete responses and co-responsibility

Expected outcomes

Competences and skills for participation Motivation and trust that participation can

have results Community Action Group – a flexible structure

recognised by authorities as a partner of dialogue

Mechanisms of consultation involving Roma Concrete responses and co-responsibility

Expected outcomes

Expectations from Mayors/civil servants/local councillors

To promote Roma inclusion;

To seek the commitment of your Local Council;

To designate a person with decision-making authority;

To ensure effective dialogue with the local Roma community

To ensure the participation of relevant staff members to trainings;

To support the evaluation of impact and results.

Support provided by the Council of Europe political endorsement, visibility and support; expert visits and trainings thematic events and study visits expert support, international co-ordination

and participation in international events; linking with other related programmes; communication and networking between

participating cities. overall co-ordination and administration of

the programme

Community Mediator Institution  Information and initial training during the national workshop for

representatives of municipalities and the mediator

Mediator identifies a core group of community members interested to become involved in the Community Action Group

 

Preliminary training of Roma citizens done by the mediator Provides support to mediator

Setting-up of the Community Action Group  Training of the Community Action Group  Collecting data, analyzing the situation, prioritizing Provides information and

supportDefining the Community Action Plan  Identification of the relevant institutional counterparts  Training on inclusive good governance and related topics

Analysis of the situation from the institutional perspective  Development of proposals from institutional perspectiveJoint planning meeting moderated by the mediator and with the ROMED trainers as observers, bringing together the staff team and the Community Action Group

Implementation Implementation ImplementationMonitoring meetingsCommunity evaluation    Institutional evaluationJoint evaluation  Follow-up at institution levelFollow-up of the Community Action Group  

Activities