European Commission has funded the continuation of the project for the Roma integration into Lithuanian society
The Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania continues the project “Lithuanian Roma Platform – Going Local”, launched in 2016 and funded by the European Commission. The project aims to foster cooperation between Roma communities and local authorities, promote mutual dialogue while addressing issues of integration, social inclusion, education, health and other issues relevant to the Roma minority.
During the first years of the project, contacts were established between Roma communities and municipalities. A tool was developed for the Roma through the mediators to solve the problems faster and more successfully, and for the employees of municipal institutions to get to know the situation of the Roma.
During the project, trainings for educators working with Roma children were organized, educators acquired specific knowledge about the educational features of Roma children. Also, attention was paid to Roma women, encouraging them to take on leadership. The project was implemented in 2 directions: informing and educating the society and strengthening the skills and competences of the Roma.
After the successful completion of the first phase of the project, European Commission has funded the continuation of the project for the Roma integration into Lithuanian society. In July 2017, a grant of 65 000 Euros has been allocated in order to continue the project.
During the implementation of the second part of the project it is planned to employ trained coordinators – intermediaries between the Roma community and municipalities who will work in Vilnius, Panevėžys, Marijampolė, Kybartai and Eišiškės. They will help the Roma to communicate with representatives of state institutions, assist the Roma in dealing with issues in public and private institutions, help solve other daily life issues, and implement education and prevention programs.
It is also planned to organize a seminar for Roma women and girls and events for Roma youth. In addition, trainings for educators working with Roma children will be organized. Throughout the project, meetings with Roma coordinators will be held in order to analyze the situation in municipalities.
Two scientific studies will also be carried out: a research on the re-integration of previously imprisoned Roma women, and a research on access to justice for members of the Roma community.
According to the 2011 population and housing census, 2115 Roma people were living in Lithuania. 81 percent of Roma lived in urban areas, 19 percent – in rural areas. Most of the Roma lived in Vilnius (38 percent / 814 persons), Kaunas (23 percent / 482 persons), Šiauliai (11 percent / 224 persons), Marijampolė (10 percent / 214 persons) and Panevėžys (7 percent / 145 persons) counties.