roma inclusion in albania
DESCRIPTION
UNDP in Albania works to supports policies and implementation measures designed to avoid exclusion by helping to remove barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their full capabilities. Group specific implementation measures (e.g. policy responses and action plans) are of critical importance for Roma and Egyptian communities, in no small part due to European Union accession-related commitments. This presentation highlights UNDP’s support in the Roma Inclusion work, UNDP programme strategy, lessons learned etc. The presentation also contains data on Roma housing policy in Albania as well as a snapshot of Regional Roma Housing Surveys.TRANSCRIPT
CONTENT• UNDP’s Roma Inclusion Work – UNDP support on Roma (Eastern Europe)– UN Roma Inclusion (EVLC) – EU Support to Roma Inclusion (SSIREC) – Program Strategy – Lessons Learned
• Neighborhood rehabilitation/infrastructure development • Regional Roma Housing Surveys• Housing policies analysis and next steps
UNDP’s Roma Inclusion Work (cont.)
UNDP’s Roma Inclusion Work (cont.)
Empowering Vulnerable Local Communities• Civil registration (1644 Roma registered in civil registry and public
services offices).• Community mobilization and partnership with LGUs;• More than 20 infrastructure projects in 4 regions (watersupply, road,
bridge rehabilitation, river systematization. kindergarten, health/community centers
• 200 R/E completed vocational training• 12 R/E NGOs implemented small community projects.• National Action Plan on Roma and web-based monitoring and
reporting system on Roma Decade (ROMALB)
UN Roma Inclusion (EVLC)
UNDP Joint Management 2012-2014
• R/E community dev. plans in 3 regions
• 6 priority infrastructure interventions in process (2 completed)
• 15 R/E local CSOs trained in project management, etc; 13 implementing small projects through small grants.
• Non-traditional vocational training and business dev. services targeting 60 R/E.
• R/E role models -in non-discrim. awareness.
• Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and People’s Advocate supported in addressing Discrimination and HR issues for R/E
• Capacity building and policy advice on Roma Inclusion (integrated services, housing, economic aid, registration.
EU Support to Roma Inclusion SSIREC
Program Strategy• Integrated empowerment /engagement approach with
multi-sectorial interventions at local and central level;• Improving R/E livelihoods (hard and soft infrastructure)
in partnership with Local Government Units• R/E active citizens through self-help;• Relying on HR – based approach vs. Charity;• Emphasizing “cultural diversity” in addition to non-
discrimination
Lessons Learned Visible signs of Roma exclusion can be eradicated in Albania with sustained investment
Neighborhood infrastructure rehabilitation is an essential glue;as well as influential in social inclusion.
Community development
But building houses is not the answer …
Hence, inclusive social policies.
And, LGU engagement
R/E Neighborhood improvement
Regional Roma Housing Surveys
2011 UNDP/WB/EC regional survey • Data collection and comparative analyses across
countries in 5 new EU member states, Western Balkans and Moldova
• 750 Roma households and 350 non-Roma households in each country
2012 – Needs Assessment of R&E Communities in Albania (UNDP and Center For Economic and Social Studies - CESS)
Roma Housing Policies AnalysesBackground Study, 2013 (funded by SDC)• Housing situation and challenges faced by Roma;• International and national legislation and policies
guiding and regulating housing issues and Roma inclusion and the status of their implementation;
• Public work to improve the Roma housing situation; and
• Examples of successful programs in other countries .
ROMA Housing Factsheet contains data from 3 above sources
Roma Housing Policies AnalysesMain findings/implications• Legal framework amendment;• Awareness raising on discrimination;• Political will and budget allocations required to address
housing situation(central & local level)• Housing is not all: Multi-sector approach needed• Sensitivity to local context; affordability; realistic
standards; sustainability: • Diversified solutions• Evictions to a bare minimum – and done as per the
principles and guidelines on forced evictions
Immediate Next Steps, within UNDP’s current programme
• Further technical analysis of Roma neighborhoods/settlements and needs for legalization/formalization, infrastructure upgrades
• Support Ministry of Urban Planning and Tourism and Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth for a new policy strategy on housing in line with the Social Inclusion Strategy
• Support Ministry of Urban Planning and Tourism on amending Social Housing legislation;
• Partner with LGUs to implement innovative interventions in support of Roma
Visible signs of Roma exclusion can be eradicated in Albania with sustained investments