We are pleased to announce that the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania is part of a new regional project as implementing partner, entitled “Beyond Barriers: Roma Resilience in the Western Balkans”, which is led by the Romalitico Institute for Policy Research and Analysis.
The project’s goal is to strengthen the regional inclusion of Roma in the Western Balkans through policies and initiatives to address economic disparities, combat anti-Gypsyism, and promote social integration.
Project duration
02 December 2024 – 01 October 2027
Supported by:
European Union
Implemented by:
Romalitico Institute for Policy Research and Analysis
Implementation partners:
- Institute of Romani Culture in Albania
- JUROM Center in Serbia
- KALI SARA Roma Information Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Romaversitas in Kosovo
- Association INSOK Initiative for Social Change in North Macedonia
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
This project aims to improve economic status, social inclusion and the fight against antigypsyism in the Western Balkan countries (North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania and Kosovo) through three key components:
- Regional HUB : The project will establish a coordinated Regional Network of Roma Organizations, which will work to advance Roma inclusion policies. Policies and reforms for Roma will be promoted and monitored in at least five countries, with a focus on the needs of the Roma community and active civil society networks. The regional network will focus on monitoring the sectoral reforms of the European Union for Roma, will map the needs of the Roma community and advocate for their inclusion in policies, as well as creating a donor platform for coordinating support for Roma inclusion in the Balkans.
- Economic Progress : The project will offer specific economic initiatives for Roma, including employment training, development of social enterprises and startups, as well as establishing joint efforts to increase the economic inclusion of the Roma community in the Western Balkans. This component will focus on vocational training and employment of Roma, including conducting needs assessments, developing specialized vocational programs, engaging qualified trainers and personalized mentoring to improve employment opportunities. Within the framework of this component, research and analysis of the labor market will be conducted in order to identify industries with growth potential in the Western Balkans, i.e. sectors of the economy that have a perspective for expansion and development, with increased demand, innovation and creation of new jobs, in order to follow current trends and open new employment opportunities. Establishing partnerships with the business sector in order to identify their needs and respond to them by establishing a database of potential workers. Supporting unemployed Roma in applying for jobs and connecting them with potential employers. Cooperation with national employment institutions towards achieving an inclusive labor market with equal opportunities for Roma.
- Antigypsyism : The project will work to raise awareness of antigypsyism through public policy advocacy and the creation of platforms for regional and national dialogue. Activities include a review of existing legislation in order to identify gaps and areas regarding antigypsyism and address it through the proposal of strategic and legislative reforms, ensuring legal provisions that prevent and protect the rights of Roma.
The project has three main results:
- Formation of a coordinated and unified Regional Network of Roma Organizations
- Targeted economic initiatives to strengthen the economic position of the Roma community in the Western Balkans with real improvements in economic conditions for Roma in the region
- Forming a cooperative regional network to increase awareness and action against anti-Gypsyism at regional and national levels through effective advocacy.