Launch conference of ROMACT and ROMED2 in Milan, Italy

On 18 January 2014, the ROMACT and the ROMED 2 Programmes was officially launched in Italy, during a conference to be held in Milan. This event was opened by  Mrs Gabriella BATTAINI-DRAGONI, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms Cécile KYENGE, Italian Minister of Integration, Ms Maria Cecilia GUERRA, Italian Vice-Minister of Labour and Social Policies and Mr John WARMISHAM, Vice-President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Mayors and representatives of several Italian pilot cities notably Bari, Milan, Napoli, Pavia, Rome and Torino also took the floor.

ROMACT is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission implemented, with the support of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion, with the objective to enhancing political will and building the capacity of local and regional authorities in drafting and implementing plans and projects for Roma inclusion. ROMACT is at present being implemented in Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Italy jointly with the ROMED2. ROMED2 is focusing on improving democratic governance and participation of the Roma community through mediation.