On Friday, February 17th, a meeting took place at the premises of the Zaporizhzhia City Social Services Center for Family, Children, and Youth. The meeting involved representatives from the NGO “Chirikli” and specialists from the Department of Social Welfare of the city council, the Department of Education and Science of the city council, the Department of Health of the city council, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of the city council.
Zemfira Kondur, Vice-President of the NGO “Roma Women’s Fund “Chirikli”,” informed those present about the results of implementing the project of the Program for Roma Social-Medical Mediators in communities. This project was carried out with the support of the Renaissance Foundation over a period of 6 years in 12 regions of Ukraine, including Zaporizhzhia.
Oleksiy Padchenko, Chairman of the NGO “Lacho Drom,” shared specific cases of collaboration between mediators and state organizations and discussed the issues that arise in the process. Through close cooperation between the government and civil society sectors, successful assistance was provided in obtaining identification documents, undergoing medical examinations, participating in educational programs and cultural events, as well as monitoring the observance of Roma rights.
The participants of the meeting discussed several topics, including the further implementation of the action plan for the Strategy of Protection and Integration of the Roma National Minority into Ukrainian Society until 2020 in Zaporizhzhia. They also discussed the feasibility of including the mediator program in existing programs through the introduction of social order competitions and contests for public organizations. An analysis of Zaporizhzhia’s social programs was presented, and proposed changes to Task 10, which involves conducting social work with children, youth, and families facing difficult life circumstances and in need of external assistance through the activities of the Zaporizhzhia City Social Services Center for Family, Children, and Youth.
