Award for Roma Integration in Western Balkans and Turkey

Today (2 October), the European Commission has for the first time given awards for Roma integration to civil society organizations from Western Balkans and Turkey. The awards honour the contribution and the valuable work of civil society in supporting social inclusion of Roma people. The seven winning organizations, announced during a ceremony in Brussels, have all shown comprehensive and innovative approaches.

The winners were chosen from 21 short listed organizations, mostly working at grass-root level and either Roma-led or having Roma staff members. The selected projects cover diverse areas: from education and children's or women's rights, to housing, employment and health.

"We all - the European Commission, the governments, civil society organizations - need to send out the same message: Roma integration is an important policy. And it is not only investment for the benefit of this minority but it is also an investment to the benefit of society. Living in an environment in which each member of society contributes with their spirit and work force, will allow countries to grow strong and prosperous, from an economic, social and cultural perspective," said Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Štefan Füle at the award ceremony.

The award's aim is to raise the political importance of integration of Roma as part of the enlargement process, to enhance the role of the civil society and to show the commitment of the European Commission to support Roma people. Through recognizing the achievements of the winning organizations, the initiative is expected to support further implementation of the awarded activities. Each of the seven winners was awarded a prize of €14,000.

The winners are:

Albania: Roma Active Albania (RAA) with a project increasing the capacity of Roma civil society actors and raising awareness about Roma women’s issues

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Citizens Association for the Promotion of Education of Roma-Otaharin, with a project promoting education

Kosovo: The Ideas Partnership, with a project supporting the former beggar-women of Fushe Kosove to get back to work and their children back to school

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Centre for Integration Ambrela, with a project supporting early childhood development

Serbia: Hands of Friendship, with a mother-child educational project

Turkey: Sulukule Roma Culture Development and Solidarity Association, with a children art atelier project

Montenegro: Center for Roma Initiatives, with action against forced and early marriage in Roma and Egyptian communities

More information
Commissioner Andor meets local authorities to discuss first results of ROMACT programme in favour of Roma inclusion

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