Online Study visit: the Social Inclusion of Roma through Participation

Intolerant attitudes and racism toward the Roma are pervasive throughout the Europe. The annuals reports of EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 noted significant parts of the Roma population continue to struggle with challenges we like to believe no longer exist in the EU. Homes without running water or electricity, lack of health insurance, high rate of long term unemployed, not included in Vocational Educational and Training activities, segregation in the school, difficulties to get access to justice and effective remedies, ethnic profiling, hate speech and hate crimes including physical attacks, police abuses and victimization, continue to be realities for unacceptable shares of the Roma community.

Political and civic participation of Roma Community is a prerequisite for a greater results and impact of the European and National polices. In practice many times Roma Communities due to the poverty are subject of manipulation during the elections that apart from being apathetic and voiceless in shaping the public policies, it additionally worsening the meaningful representation in local, national and European decision-making processes. Roma-led and pro-Roma civil society organizations are particularly important actors in promoting and practically implementing the participation and empowerment as principles and processes for bettering Roma people’s living conditions and life outcomes.

Following the direction of the political course outlined of the institutions of the EU, Macedonia is joining the countries that have shown readiness for preparation of such strategic document that promotes principle of active protection of Roma rights. For the country this does not mean just a moral support, but the care for Roma is its legislative duty.  
Although, in regards to Roma as ethnic community, the Republic of Macedonia made significant positive step, regarding to other countries, however in the general context of the situation of the Roma people throughout Europe, Macedonia is not an exception.

This study visit is a great opportunity to discover and connect to successful initiatives, and learn more about the social inclusion of Roma in Macedonia, where positive, good practices and experiences will be shared among the relevant actors. 

Objective of the study visit are:

• To learn about the situation of Roma people in Macedonia to understand the challenges they face and their difficulties to access the services available to them;
• To learn about good practices implemented or still under implementation either by the institution or civic national or international organizations;
• To stimulate debate of Roma inclusion policies and activities in participants’ countries.

Profile of participants:

• Young people over 18 years already experienced or interested on inclusion policies of vulnerable groups especially of Roma;
• Youth workers, teachers, students, volunteers, researches and scholars  or public servants who are dealing with Roma issues;
• Resident in one of the EU Member States, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

All participants will get a CERTIFICATE.