Blaj

General Information
 
ROMACT Cycle: 
Closed
Mayor of the Municipality: 
Mr Gheorghe Valentin Rotar
Contact Person within the Municipality: 
Ms Livia Muresan, Deputy Mayor
Facilitators: 
Ciprian Bogdan
Total population: 
20 630
Source: 
National census 2011
Roma living in the Municipality: 
1 706
Description of the Municipality: 

Blaj lies at the confluence of the two Târnava Rivers, in a wine-growing region.
There are 3 main /large Roma communities in Blaj that are Ciufud Community, Barbu Lautaru Community and Veza Community.  
According to the national census in 2011 – Blaj Municipality has the higher rate of the Roma people in the Alba County. 1706 people are declared Roma which mean more than 8% of the total population.
Most of the communities have access to basic infrastructure such as: water, sewerage, electricity.
Blaj is faced with a particular high rate of school dropout.
 

The ROMACT Process

ROMACT process started with the signature of the Letter of Agreement in July 2016.
The Joint Action Plan was adopted in November 2016, before the creation of a Taskforce for Roma Inclusion in March 2017.

Several trainings were provided:
The Local Authorities were coached/trained in:
* Elaboration of the Joint Action Plan
* Applying for European Structural Funds  

The CAG was trained/coached in:
* Role of an NGO
* Community Development
* Fundraising at local level

The following measures to solve problems in Roma community were taken:
* Awareness campaign on school dropout
* Material provision for the children who to attend school
* Access to water and sewage in Plopilor area
* Bridge construction between Roma community Plopilor and Clujului street
* Recruitment of 2 school mediators, 1 Romani language teacher and 1 health mediator
* Recruitment of 70 Roma workers for the Waste management company under Municipal authority
* Investment on the infrastructure (water / asphalt, animal market etc.) on the Targului area
* Community Cleaning Action
* Assistance for heating
* Asphalting of the Ciufud area roads, connection of the Roma community to sewerage, and building a recreational sports center

 

Timeline Points

7 Jul 2016
Step 1- Becoming Commited- Signature of the letter of agreement
22 Oct 2016
Step 2- Agreeing on needs and plans- Community priorities list finalised
29 Nov 2016
Step 3- Translating priorities into measures- Joint Action Plan for Roma inclusion adopted by City Council
24 Mar 2017
Creation of Taskforce
29 Mar 2018
End of ROMACT process
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