As part of the implementation of the “ROMED 2” program aimed at promoting the integration of Roma communities at the local level and being implemented in Ukraine by the International Charity Organization “Roma Women’s Fund “Chirikli” with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, a series of events took place in Kyiv from May 27 to May 30. The main goal of these events was to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to exchange experiences in working with Roma communities, Roma internally displaced persons from the conflict zone, to hear about existing problems and their solutions, and to learn about new ideas and approaches in working with Roma communities and local authorities.
On May 28, a round table discussion “Dialogue between state authorities, local self-government bodies, and the Roma community” was held at the Rus Hotel conference hall, bringing together representatives of local and national authorities, Roma communities, NGOs, and Roma mediators, including those working in the conflict zone.
Approximately seventy participants attended the round table, including representatives from the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the OSCE, the city administration of Strasbourg (France), the International Renaissance Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, and representatives of other relevant ministries, state bodies, and local administrations of Ukraine.
During the round table, participants had the opportunity to learn about a program for nomadic Roma implemented by the Strasbourg city administration over a period of 10 years. The achievements of the program and the challenges were presented by the Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg, Ms. Marie Dominique Dressé.
The round table also presented the results of the implementation of the “ROMED 2” program over the course of a year, as well as the prospects for the further development of the program in Ukraine.
It’s worth noting that in May 2014, five administrations, including Darnytskyi District Administration of Kyiv, Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi District Administration, cities of Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Kropyvnytskyi City Administration, Odessa Oblast, and Uzhhorod City Administration, Zakarpattia Oblast, joined the program. Cooperation agreements were signed between these administrations and the Council of Europe. Working groups were created within each pilot region as part of this cooperation, and action plans were developed. However, due to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, not all planned activities could be implemented. Participants of the program had to work in challenging conditions, and in some regions, such as Kharkiv, efforts had to be redirected due to a large number of internally displaced persons.
To summarize the achievements of the project from the perspective of Roma mediators and representatives of Roma communities regarding the “ROMED 2” program:
1. Improved cooperation with local authorities. Representatives of communities who had never had the opportunity to communicate with local authorities now have the chance to approach them and discuss their issues.
2. Roma communities have become more active.
3. Attitudes toward social and living conditions among Roma are gradually changing.
4. The number of Roma without passports and birth certificates has decreased.
5. The number of children attending school has increased.
6. During the crisis, mediators helped evacuate 130 Roma from Luhansk Oblast, 300 from Donetsk Oblast, organized humanitarian aid, and facilitated re-registration for social assistance. Only in Kharkiv Oblast, Roma mediators provided assistance to 4,000 individuals.
7. As part of cooperation with “ROMED 2” and the State Institute of Family and Youth Policy, pilot training courses for civil servants were conducted. Four groups completed the training, and 80 individuals received government-standard certificates.
8. “ROMED 2” trainers were invited by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine to conduct a training session on Roma mediation as part of qualification improvement courses for representatives of Homeless Citizens Registration Centers from various regions of Ukraine.
There are many positive stories, but there are also challenges and plans that we intend to work on step by step.
