ЦРЗ "ДРОМ" Куманово

Logistics for the MON’s scholarship competition for high school Roma students

As we were aware of, the MON’s scholarship competition for Roma students was open till February 3^rd 2010.

            RCC “DROM” was actively working to put the information out there, make it available to all Roma students; and explain all the terms.

            RIC, Kumanovo had prepared announcements which were handed out to all high schools. The high school principles were informed as well so that they can cooperate and support this activity.

            The headmasters spread the news among the Roma students and informed them that for more detail information they can contact RIC, Kumanovo.

            After being informed, the students went to RIC, Kumanovo, where they were helped with the paperwork, forms, statements, and copies of the required documents.

            All of the students, who were eligible for the scholarship, left the complete documentation at RIC offices, and the others were put on out list with their name and GPA from previous school year.

            Kumanovo, as one of the larger communities in the country with a great number of Roma population, had very small number of Roma students who fulfilled the required GPA of 3, 00. 

            There were only 13 students from all the high schools from Kumanovo who had GPA of 3, 00; the rest of them had GPA lower than 3, 00.

            Regarding this situation, we contacted Mr. Redzep Ali Chupi. We informed him about the problem and wanted to find out whether it is possible to change the terms for the scholarship and lower the GPA criteria from 3, 00 to 2, 50. Mr. Chupi gave us a negative response because they also have had a contract with REF with specified terms not eligible for alteration.

Participation in Open Local Discussion for implementing employment policy in Macedonia

In January, 18^th, 2010, in the offices of Kumanovo municipality there was an open discussion for implementing employment policy in Macedonia organized by the Center for Civil Initiative, Prilep.

            The participants were:

• Mr. Mersel Biljali who discussed the global economic crises, how Macedonia is dealing with it; and the effects it has on the local economy;
• Mr. Nano Ruzin had a presentation about Access to EU – how economic crises affects this process;
• Mr. Zivko Siljanovski who had a topic – Solutions for local population and challenges for employment in the business sector.

Activities taken regarding the operational plan for self-employment

On 25^th of March, 2010 there was a contest for Programs/Self-Employment measures, Formalizing constant business, Pilot program, Support for additional employment in companies registered through the program for Self-Employment 2007 – 2008. This measures present part of the program content from the Government Operational Plan for Self-Employment 2010. This plan will be realized by UNDP, AVRM with the Centers for Employment, APPRM, MTSP, and other relevant institutions.

            Since this contest was open till April 9^th, and in between there were a lot of holidays, RIC, Kumanovo had to notify everyone on very short notice. Regarding the contest, RIC took the following actions:

§  Prepared announcements

Right after AVRM had announced the contest, RCC “DROM” Kumanovo, had prepared statement and published them on more significant places in Rome neighborhoods. Also, there were short informational pamphlets for the contest and where to find more detail information.

§  Informing the population through local media

On 29^th of March, 2010, RIC Kumanovo was a guest at “Bravo”, the local radio station in order to spread the information about the contest. In the radio show, RIC explained in details the program for self-employment and formalization, and also explained the terms and procedures for it;

§  UNDP Visit

UNDP representative had visited RIC offices on March 31^st, 2010. The representative was interested about the planned activities in order to better inform the Roma population. It was explained to him that the contest took place in a very short period. He informed us that everyone is aware of that and that there is a chance that the contest will be extended.

§  Informing people who work at the city green market in Kumanovo

On March 31^st 2010 RIC, Kumanovo had prepared short informational pamphlets which were handed out to almost everyone who worked at the city green market. Besides short information about the program, the pamphlets contained the date for the informational meeting which was organized by RIC Kumanovo for more detail information regarding self-employment and formalization. Also, statements were made which were put at both of the market entrances. The purpose for this field information was for the people who work there, to let them know that they can register a company and have an opportunity to formalize their businesses.

§  Organizing a meeting with citizens at the offices of RIC along with the director of AVR, Kumanovo

On April 1^st 2010 in the offices of RIC, there was a meeting with the director of AVR Kumanovo. At this meeting citizens who were interested in this program were present.

At the meeting, RIC Kumanovo had informed the guests about the terms and conditions of the program and for the applying procedure.

The procedures for self-employment and formalizing already existing businesses were explained in detail. Risks for closing those businesses were also pointed out. If a company is closed, the owners of the businesses will not be recorded as unemployed at the Employment Agency for a period of 3 years. The owners will also lose the right of receiving financial help from social services.

Interested parties could turn to the Director of AVR who was more than happy to answer all the questions.

§  Continuous meetings with citizens at RIC, Kumanovo

Till the end of the contest RIC offices were open for everyone interested. They all got explanations for the procedure and were sent for more help to the director of AVR, Kumanovo.

Together for a better future

In between the period: 01.02. – 01.04.2010 RCC “DROM” in cooperation with the Government of RM had realized the project “Together for a better future”.

The purpose of the project was improving the multi-ethnic life between the young people in Kumanovo and it was implemented in a three month period.

Along with the project, the following activities were realized:

§  Two workshops with a topic: “Surpassing the multi-ethnic intolerance at young people”;

§  Organizing two “Trainings for volunteer work”;

§  Printing flyers.

Finance: Government of RM

IPA Funds, Decentralization, and Decade of Roma

The project “IPA Funds, Decentralization, and Decade of Roma” has started on 01.01.2010 and it is going to end on 01.01.2011.

The project’s goal is to train representatives from the local government and NGOs and then prepare projects for the process of decentralization.

Activities realized so far:

• Meeting with the Local Government from Kumanovo;
• Meeting with previously formed coordinative body with members from institutions, local government and NGO;
• Organized training for Decentralization;
• Platform with topic: IPA funds and an opportunity for local economic development.

Finance: RPP

Roma Mentors

The main purpose of the initiative Roma Mentors was to connect experts of Roma culture with schools and NGOs or Community Centers, to provide changes in awareness and awakens among the children. Further on, there was a need to increase Roma culture knowledge and to provide opportunities for the children to enjoy the contacts of the experts. The project leader was the Roma culture and educational center “Darhija” and the same was implemented in the period September 2008 – June 2009. One of the NGOs included in the project was RCC “DROM” Kumanovo which provided logistic support by providing a fully equipped classroom and an experienced volunteer teacher for the children. The Mentor teaching was anticipated for 6 hours per month in one school year period. Students who had participated in the program were age 12-14.

Finance: Roma culture and educational center “Darhija”

Ko sem, so sem?

The performance can be seen on the portal Roma Culture. Click here.

Communication with central authorities 2

Roma Community Centre “DROM” – Kumanovo, by willing to accomplish continuity of “Decade of Roma inclusion 2005-2015” pointed out the importance of informing, cooperation and following of the undertaken activities of the decade by the central authorities, and implemented the project “Communication with central authorities 2” in the period of May ’08 – February ‘09
    The goal of the project was strengthening and integration of the Roma people at the major social and economical flows of the R. Macedonia, thru defining the general directions and methods for the implementation of the Roma Decade, or getting the Roma NGO’s to be better informed of the implementation of the “Decade of Roma inclusion 2005-2015”. Raising the level of communication with the central authorities as well as creating conditions of further cooperation on common projects and activities.

    Financed by: Swiss Embassy in the Republic of Macedonia and the Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia.

Roma Informative Centre

R.C.C “DROM” is active representative for more efficient implementation of the decade activities in R. Macedonia. For that purpose there is a need of continuous informing of the Roma citizens for the on-going activities and possibilities. R.C.C “DROM” for the purposes of this project and the target group – the Roma population in the period of 01.01.2009 till 31.12.2009 implemented the project “Roma Informative Centre” which purpose was servicing of the information’s of the four acute domains of the Roma Decade: education, health, homing and employment.
Financed by: MTSP in partnership with R.C.C. “DROM”

Roma Mentors

The goal of the project “Roma Mentors” is to connect the experts of the Roma culture with the schools and NGO’s or the centers of the communities, to secure changes in self-consciousness and awakening of the children. To raise their knowledge of the Roma culture and to secure possibilities to enjoy the contacts with the experts. One of the NGO’s that is included in the project is the Roma Community Centre “DROM”, by providing logistics support of the project, by providing one fully equipped classroom as well as one teacher-volunteer that was experienced in working with children. The mentorship teaching was held by 6 hours a month in the period of one year. The mentorship teachings included students ranging from 12 – 14 years old. Project carrier is Roma Cultural and educational centre “Darhija” and it was implemented from September 2008 till June 2009.
Financed by: Roma cultural and educational centre “Darhija”

Through education to reduce discrimination

From March 2009 till August 2009 the Roma Community Centre “DROM” implemented the project “Through education to reduce discrimination”
    The goal of the project is: Emancipation of the Roma women, raised consciousness of her rights, especially in the relation marriage – family.
    The idea of realizing this kind of project developed from the problem that already exists at the Roma people, mostly at the women, and that is premature marriages, which later reflects in the educational process with abandoning the schools and later in the part of employment.
Financed by: OSCE in partnership with R.C.C. “DROM”

Social inclusion and access to human rights of the Roma, Ashkalii and Egyptians, communities in Western Balkans

The goal of the project is giving direct support to the Roma population thru mediation and issuance of personal documentation, with financial needs for the taxes that are needed for the issuance of the documentation as well as free legal support, according to the goals of the project.
    The project was implemented from January 2009 till December 2009.
Financed by: Civil Society Informative Centre

Roma cultural web portal

The goal of the project is creating a web portal with the goal of introduction to the population of the Republic of Macedonia and the wider region with the Roma traditions and culture.
The project was implemented in the period of September 2009 till November 2009 with sustainability till 01.09.2010.
Financed by: European Cultural Foundation

Who are we? What we are?

The project will be realized during 01.10.2009 - 01.03.2010.
The long-term goal is integration of the Roma people in every sphere of the society. The project contains a theater play named “Who are we? What we are?”
The goal of the play is to show the life of the Roma people with the accent on the right to choose.
Financed by: OSI – Budapest

Human rights – basis for local and economical development

Citizen’s community for support of inter-ethnical dialog and development of the community “Community values” from Skopje in collaboration with the NGO’s: Perspective from Skopje, Millennium from Vrapciste, DROM from Kumanovo and “Rekanski Biser” from Mavrovo and Rostuse conducted the project “Human rights – basis for local and economical development”. The project was financed by the European Union.
    The goal of the project is exercising the human rights and development of inter-ethnical relations through implementation of the Strategies for local economical development in terms of faster integration of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union.
Financed by: European commission

Redesign

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