About ROMACT

However, many local authorities are facing limitations and constraints in terms of adequate human and financial resources, as well as various political circumstances and structural blockages that interfere with the effective implementation of policies at local level.

Moreover, lack of the necessary expertise and resources to develop integrated actions to tackle multi-faceted problems of marginalized communities, as well as lack of mutual trust between local Roma communities and local administrations are important barriers that hinder progress in the field of Roma social inclusion.

The ROMACT Programme’s aim is to build the capacity of local authorities to develop and implement plans and projects for Roma inclusion, based on local marginalised Roma  communities’ concrete needs and priorities.

From 2013 to 2017, the Programme was implemented in the following 6 countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovak Republic). Since 2018, ROMACT has focused only on Bulgaria and Romania.

The ROMACT Methodology consists of 4 steps, implemented over a period of 18 to 22 months at each municipal level:

• 1) Raising awareness and building the commitment of local authorities towards Roma inclusion; 
• 2) Agreeing on what needs to be done to improve the living conditions of the Roma community;
• 3) Translating the local development action plans into concrete measures and projects;
• 4) Funding, implementing and monitoring

One other important element of the ROMACT process is represented by the working group at the level of the local administration – the Task Force for Roma Inclusion, which includes representatives of concerned municipal services and other local institutions (schools, health care institutions, cultural and religious institutions, etc.), relevant local NGOs, representatives of the community / citizens (CAG) and a Coordinator from the side of the municipality (person designated by the mayor to be in charge of the process).

These two groups’ work interlinks and provides the necessary input for assessment, development and implementation of measures that have the aim to improve the living conditions and status of marginalized communities, including the Roma.

At operational level, the ROMACT Programme works through a team of field coordinators, community facilitators and experts in each municipality, guiding the processes to achieve concrete results through the implementation of short, medium and long-term activities and plans. The facilitators mobilize the groups of citizens / CAGs, support the empowerment of citizens to participate in the local development process and make the links with the work at the level of the local administration. Based on assessed needs, experts are punctually engaged to provide training and coaching to the representatives of local administration and other relevant stakeholders, supporting them in strategic planning, identifying sources of funding (EU, national etc.) and developing projects based on the measures included in the Joint Action Plans / Local Development Strategies, responding therefore to the needs of the local communities.

The capacity building activities provided by the ROMACT experts are delivered based on needs and requests expressed at local level and have as target groups the local citizens, the elected officials, the municipal staff (public servants / employees of different departments), and different other local stakeholders (representatives of health facilities, schools, decentralized offices of regional and national institutions, NGOs etc.).

In addition, since the ROMACT experts and facilitators are directly exposed to the implementation of various policies and regulations in the field, working directly with employees of the local administrations, the Programme  also brings evidence from the ground on a number of issues encountered in the field. Based on recurrent issues, the Programme has designated experts to work on briefings, guidelines and reports on the barriers encountered in the implementation of certain rules and regulations in practice as well as on the existent issues related to the disbursement and use of EU funds.

Investments have better chances to be sustainable when beneficiaries are involved and have a sense of ownership over them. Marginalization is multifaceted and improving the living conditions of the marginalized communities represents a strong base for the development of specific measures for the social inclusion of children and youth. Working with disenfranchised communities might be challenging, especially in contexts in which there is a general lack of culture of participation in local governance.

However, positive change is possible if efforts and sectors are joint over time , and the interventions in the field are adapted to the real needs of the people. 

Selected support organisations are mandated to ensure the logistical needs for the implementation of the process at local level by the ROMACT National Support Teams.