RomaNet Programme
The Carpathian Foundation- Hungary for Roma rights, exchange of ideas and joint initiatives
The goal of the Programme
The Programme supports projects that aim to solve the problems of Roma communities in the Carpathian region, to reintegrate these communities and to preserve their unique culture.
To achieve this we aim to:
- improve local Roma communities’ abilities to represent and act in their interests
- assess the main issues and problems are in Roma communities and organizations and suggest ways of solutions
- support the organizational development of the participating organizations and foundations so they can work more efficiently
- promote successful internal and external communication and exchange of information
- organize conferences on a regular basis to promote co-operation and team spirit among Roma civil organizations
- promote partnership among the participating organizations, municipalities and companies
History of the Programme
We launched the RomaNet Programme in 2002. It has so far funded projects that served the regional co-operation, network building and development of Roma organizations.
- We have organized exchange events and training sessions to advertise successful initiatives and best practice projects
- We have built a network of Roma organizations with similar aims
- We supported co-operation among Roma organizations to promote the representation of Roma communities’ interests
- We funded economic development projects that aimed to reduce unemployment rate among the Roma and improve standards of living in Roma communities
- We organized across the borders events and programmes
Conferences RomaNet 1 and RomaNet 2 served (focused on) learning and training. As well leaders of Roma organizations in the Carpathian region discussed the ways of co-operation and the intention to establish a civil representative network.
In 2006 the Programme was the subject of an external evaluating analysis by field experts. The result was a study called the Evalutaion Study of the Carpathian RomaNet Programme which was published in 5 languages (English, Hungarian, Slovakian, Ukrainian, and Romanian) and circulated in 1000 copies with the support of the Open Society Institute (Budapest). www.karpatokalapitvany.hu/romanet
In 2006/2007, based on what the study estabilished and with the help of the Open Society Institute, the National Civil Fund and other local organizations, we organized a training course to improve the capabilities of the participating organizations.
In 2008 the RomaNet Representative Network was set up with the purpose of improving regional Roma communities’ capabilities of representation of their own interests.
In 2008 in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hajdú-Bihar, Heves, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Nógrád, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Counties, in order to improve and develop the Network, we launched a programme of training courses and forums with a completion date in 2010. In 2009, half way through the programme, we published an analysis for the years 2008/2009 in which the participants voiced their views and suggestions.
The forum participants have shared the view that the main problem of the Hungarian Roma communites is that it is deeply divided which can only be solved if Roma and the majority work together towards common aims. Without joint efforts and communication the Roma communities cannot manage its low self-esteem so they will hardly be able to stand up to express their interests efficiently.
Achievements
- The Programme has been working a decade
- Co-operation with more than 500 Roma organizations (in 4 countries)
- More than 1000 participants at conferences, trainings and forums
- We funded 16 projects in Hungary
- We funded 54 projects in Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania
- Self-evaluation and analysis
- RomaNet Representative Network
As a result of the training programmes, the project planning and managing skills of the disadvantaged non-profit Roma organizations have improved significantly. Since the establishment of the training programme these organizations have managed the resulting projects successfully nearly 20 times.
Future plans
- To encourage Roma organizations and communities to seek co-operation with each other to discuss problems, share experiences and suggestions
- To improve the Network
- To promote co-operation among the participating Roma civil organizations
- To organize further trainings for Roma non-profit organizations that have been working for the development of Roma society and the creation of equal opportunities
More information:http://romanet.hu/en/
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