Enhancing Romani Awareness and Application of Citizenship Rights in the EU

This joint project has been implemented by the Minority Rights Group, the European Roma Information Office (ERIO) and the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance - Amalipe. It is aimed at strengthening the dialogue between Roma activists and various EU organisations and institutions. It should be emphasized that Roma activists are well-equipped to participate as active and productive citizens of Europe and that Roma organisations are in a position to support this participation. The project was carried out in three target states - Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary.

The specific objectives of the project are: to increase the understanding of Roma activists about how to best advocate with EU institutions; to improve their understanding of European standards, values and mechanisms for protection of their social and economic rights; to further the awareness of EU standards for equal treatment, among the wider community and the decision-makers in the three countries; and, to augment the capacities of Roma NGOs to effectively advocate with EU institutions.

ERIO was responsible for hosting - through the framework of internship training - six young Roma activists from the targeted countries and to involve them in research and advocacy activities with members of the European Commission and the European Parliament. According to their area of research interest, the Roma interns should become familiar with the main EU instruments applicable to the Roma situation and learn more about EU documents and programs dealing with or related to anti-discrimination and social inclusion.