Tag: subgranting

REVISE AND ADVOCATE  FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NATIONAL ROMA INTEGRATION STRATEGY

The “Revise and Advocate for Improvements to the National Roma Integration Strategy” (NRIS) project, coordinated by RomanoNet, was a successful initiative conducted through a comprehensive and inclusive approach. It involved structured monthly meetings, ad-hoc working groups, and stakeholder consultations aimed at gathering input and refining the NRIS, with a strong emphasis on Roma inclusion and combating antigypsyism. Key activities included the development of policy briefs, targeted consultations, and strategic events that actively engaged Roma communities, civil society organisations, and policymakers at all levels.  

The project focused on evidence-based revisions of the National Roma Integration Strategy (NRIS) through a series of dedicated round tables. These meetings tackled key areas of the strategy, including education, employment, housing, health, and the fight against antigypsyism. Each round table brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, ensuring that the revised strategy truly reflected the real needs and priorities of Roma communities. The report was written together with a government office.

The culmination of these efforts was the celebration of Roma Day on 17 December 2024, organised in partnership with the Office of the Roma Commissioner. This event provided a platform to present the updated strategy components and officially launch the Charter Against Antigypsyism, reinforcing a collective commitment to combating discrimination and advancing Roma inclusion.

Significant Accomplishments

One of the significant accomplishments of the project was the comprehensive revision of all major chapters of the National Roma Integration Strategy (NRIS). The project had a strong advocacy impact, as recommendations were presented to policymakers to strengthen the NRIS. A key focus was on tackling antigypsyism and enhancing Roma inclusion, ensuring that these critical issues were recognised and addressed at a strategic level. 

Stakeholder engagement played a crucial role in the project’s success. By facilitating active participation from a diverse range of stakeholders, the initiative encouraged cross-sector collaboration, bringing together policymakers, civil society organisations, and Roma representatives.

A major milestone was the celebration of Roma Day, during which the Charter Against Antigypsyism was launched. The project prioritised capacity building within the Roma civil society. A series of workshops, consultations, and policy discussions were organised, equipping Roma organisations and activists with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate. RomanoNet ensured that advocacy efforts will continue, promoting policy changes based on the revised NRIS and Roma Day initiatives. By building on these achievements, RomanoNet aims to drive lasting change and strengthen Roma inclusion in Czechia.

For more information in Czech, click the buttons below.

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.

Culture in the Slums

Roma communities continue to face persistent challenges of social exclusion, discrimination, and limited access to primary services. In Reșița and its surrounding areas, these struggles remain visible in daily life, from barriers to employment and education to inadequate housing and systemic neglect. In response, Nevo Parudimos conducted a series of advocacy and community engagement activities to address these pressing issues. The initiative included three community meetings, consultations with local authorities, and cultural events promoting intercultural understanding.

Strengthening Communities 

In May, community meetings were organised in Muncitoresc, Dealu Mare, and Calnic, providing a space for Roma residents to discuss their concerns. The community has been facing several challenges, including a lack of access to water, and despite promises from the municipality, there are still no housing documents. Young people are struggling to find work, and although NGOs and the municipality have collected information from residents and promised projects, nothing has moved forward. 

The children are not able to attend school due to its distance, and the school mediator has shown no interest as he/she is not visiting children in the communities. These conditions will possibly improve once the nearby school, currently under renovation, is completed. On top of it, the family doctor sometimes refuses treatment because people don’t have legal insurance, and when the spring floods threatened the area, the municipality didn’t take any action.

To address these issues, Nevo Parudimos arranged a meeting with the water company to sort out the water supply and planned a meeting with the municipality to address the problems their community is facing. They aim to ensure these issues are included in the local Roma action plan. Furthermore, they intend to make everyone informed about any job opportunities and to make sure that mediators are present in the lives of children in their communities. 

Municipality Meeting –  Building a Better Community Together

During their visit to the municipality, Nevo Parudimos reviewed the local action plan for Roma in Reșița alongside community representatives, civil society, and public institutions, as well as the mayor and deputy mayor. Updates on various projects were provided by the Local Action Group (LAG). All projects were completed by the end of 2024, except for social housing initiatives, which are expected to be finalised in 2025.

Representatives from civil society organisations, including Pro Vitam, Nevo Parudimos, and Humanitas Pro Deo, called on the municipality to pressure the water and public transport companies to ensure all citizens have reliable access to water and essential services.

Culture in the Slums

The municipality and community meetings, along with the Ethnicities Festival, represent the main efforts to improve the lives of Roma communities in Reșița. While meetings focused on concrete policy discussions, the festival used culture as a powerful tool for advocacy and change. By engaging with local authorities, civil society, and public institutions, Nevo Parudimos and its partners worked to ensure that Roma voices were heard in decision-making processes. 

The festival provided a platform to celebrate Roma identity, challenge stereotypes, and foster a sense of unity. The Ethnicities Festival was held last year under the theme “Culture in the Slum,” in Banat.

Hosted in the Măgura neighbourhood of Bocșa and along Calea Caransebeșului în Reșița, the festival was organised by the Nevo Parudimos Association, in collaboration with the Caraș-Severin County Centre for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture, the city halls of Reșița and Bocșa, and the Caraș-Severin County Council.

The event was dedicated to Roma culture, showcasing a vibrant set of folklore representing the diverse ethnic groups that are living in the Banat region. Part of the “Culture in the Slum” project, the festival was funded by the European Commission through the ERGO Network to highlight the real issues faced by Roma communities in Reșița, bringing them to the attention of local authorities. Its goal was also to shift the general perception of the Roma community, using culture to showcase the unique aspects of the Roma minority.

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.

Breaking the Cycle: Roma Families Trapped in Multidimensional Poverty

For many Roma families in Bulgaria, poverty is not just about the lack of income—it is a web of deprivation that extends into education, healthcare, housing, and employment. A new research report by Liliya Makaveeva, an ERGO Network member in Bulgaria Integro Association, based on case studies from ten municipalities, reveals the stark reality of multidimensional poverty among Roma communities and calls for urgent, integrated policy solutions.

The study, conducted between March and July 2024, combines in-depth interviews with Roma families, local mediators, and municipal representatives with statistical data from the Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) 2023. The findings paint a grim picture: 65% of Roma in Bulgaria live below the poverty line, compared to 14.3% of ethnic Bulgarians. However, income alone does not explain the depth of hardship Roma communities face.

This project was implemented using a grant from ERGO Network’s financial support to third parties through its Annual Work Programme ‘Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2025’, funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Commission.

More Than Just Money: The Poverty Trap

The research highlights that poverty among Roma is multidimensional—it encompasses poor housing conditions, exclusion from social services, lack of access to quality healthcare, and systemic discrimination in education and employment. While many families rely on social benefits, the support is minimal and often comes with strict conditions that fail to reflect the reality of their struggles.

For example, children from low-income Roma families are regularly sanctioned with reduced social assistance when they miss school, even if absences are due to extreme poverty—such as lacking shoes or winter coats. A 36-year-old mother from Novi Pazar explains: “My daughter missed school because she had no coat. When I finally got a loan to buy one, it was too late—they had already cut our benefits.” Instead of helping families escape poverty, punitive measures further entrench their exclusion.

Housing Without Security, Healthcare Without Access

The lack of legal housing status exacerbates the crisis. Many Roma settlements exist outside regulated urban areas, meaning residents have no formal ownership and cannot access basic utilities such as running water or waste collection. The consequences are dire: entire neighbourhoods rely on makeshift water sources, and open sewage drains pose severe health risks.

Healthcare access is another major challenge. Many Roma lack health insurance due to irregular employment or the inability to pay past contributions, leaving them unable to see a doctor. Even those with insurance face discrimination in medical facilities. The study documents cases where hospitals refuse to acknowledge severe disabilities, preventing individuals from accessing state support. One man with a colostomy was repeatedly denied disability certification, trapping him in a cycle of poverty and medical neglect.

Employment Barriers and Generational Poverty

Employment services are failing Roma communities. The report finds that while many Roma are registered with Employment Offices, they rarely receive job offers, training opportunities, or meaningful career support. Many Roma rely on precarious, informal jobs with no contracts or security.

Even when work is available, discrimination remains a significant barrier. Employers frequently reject Roma applicants or impose unnecessary education requirements for low-skilled jobs. Women, particularly mothers, face additional barriers due to the lack of childcare options and rigid work schedules.

Urgent Call for Change

The report concludes that Bulgaria’s current social policies are not only failing to alleviate Roma poverty—they are actively reinforcing it. The study’s authors call for a radical shift:

• Tailored, long-term support instead of punitive sanctions
• Legalising and improving housing conditions in Roma settlements
• Ensuring universal healthcare access, regardless of insurance status
• Combating labour market discrimination and providing real employment pathways
• Creating integrated social services that address the multiple dimensions of poverty

Poverty in Roma communities is not a personal failure—it is a systemic issue. Without immediate policy changes, the cycle of deprivation will continue for generations. As the report clarifies, breaking this cycle requires more than financial aid; it demands a fundamental shift in how Bulgaria approaches social justice and equality for all its citizens.

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.

Roma equality, inclusion and participation (EQUIP) 2024: Re-granting to ERGO Network members

This year, the ERGO Network can give grants to its members in three categories. These grants are part of ERGO Network’s financial support to third parties through its Annual Work Programme ‘Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2024, funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Commission.

RESEARCH:

Call for applications for small-scale research projects: To support local and national Roma civil society in gathering evidence of challenges Roma faces locally through research activities.

Three projects with budgets up to 4,000 €

• Call for applications

NATIONAL COALITIONS: 

To support local and national Roma civil society in gathering evidence of challenges Roma face locally through research activities and strengthening the networks.

Six projects with budgets up to 5,000€

• Call for applications
• Financial template

CAPACITY-BUILDING, CAMPAIGNING, ADVOCACY: 

Call for applications for capacity-building, campaigning, and advocacy projects.

Nine projects with budgets up to 10,000€

• Call for applications
• Financial template
• Template for applying

Eligibility criteria: 

– Be a member (full or associate) of the ERGO Network
– Be established as a Member State of the European Union
– Be a legal entity, a non-profit organisation
– Respect EU values as laid down in Art.2 of the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
– Not be a sub-contractor of ERGO Network
– Adhere to ERGO Network’s safeguarding policy, have their safeguarding policy or agree to start developing a safeguarding policy.

All ERGO Network full member and associate member organisations can apply to more than one of the calls.

The deadline for applications is 29 March 23:59 CET.

The selection will be done by a team of ERGO Network Secretariat, board members, and one external evaluator.

The implementation period is foreseen for May to November 2024.

This project is funded by the European Union.

Roma equality, inclusion and participation (EQUIP) 2023: Re-granting to ERGO Network members

This year ERGO Network has the possibility to give grants to its members in 3 categories. These grants are part of ERGO Network’s financial support to third parties through its Annual Work Programme ‘Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2023 funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Commission.

RESEARCH:

Call for applications for small-scale research projects: To support local and national Roma civil society in gathering evidence of challenges faced by Roma on a local level through research activities

4 projects with budgets up to 3,000 €

• Call for applications
• Guide for the eligible costs per unit

NATIONAL COALITIONS: 

To support local and national Roma civil society in gathering evidence of challenges faced by Roma on a local level through research activities and strengthening the networks

6 projects with budgets up to 5,000€

• Call for applications
• Budget sheet
• Guide for the eligible costs per unit

CAPACITY-BUILDING, CAMPAIGNING, ADVOCACY: 

Call for applications for capacity-building, campaigning, and advocacy projects

9 projects with budgets up to 10,000€

(4 of them with a focus on supporting Ukrainian Roma refugees)

• Call for applications
• Budget sheet
• Guide for the eligible costs per unit
• Project proposal template

Eligibility criteria: 

– Be a member (full or associate) of the ERGO Network
– Be established in a Member State of the European Union
– Be a legal entity, a non-profit organization
– Respect EU values as laid down in Art.2 of the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
– Not be a sub-contractor of ERGO Network
– Adhere to ERGO Network’s safeguarding policy, have their own safeguarding policy or agree to start developing a safeguarding policy.

All ERGO Network full member and associate member organisations can apply to more than one of the calls.

The deadline for applications is 30th April 23:59 CET.

The selection will be done by a team of ERGO Network secretariat and board members and one external evaluator.

The implementation period is foreseen for May to November 2023.

This project is funded by the European Union.