Bolintin Vale
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The town of Bolintin Vale, Giurgiu County is located in the south-eastern part of Romania. The municipality is in charge of the administration of three villages – Crivina, Malu Spart and Suseni (the second largest city of the county). Only 23 km from Bucharest, the capital of the country and 90 km from the county capital, Giurgiu. This close proximity to major cities has helped the local economy.
According to 2011 census, the Roma community represent 18% of the overall population, though local Roma leaders believe the actual percentage of the population is higher than the official 18%. Many Roma moved from neighbouring Bolintin-Deal to Bolintin Vale after ethnic clashes in 1991.
Two ethnic groups are living in Bolintin Vale, the Ursari and the Spoitori, they are concentrated in the north-eastern part of the city, in an area called Palanca. Roma citizens living in this part of the city face challenges relating to identification documents, housing and access to basic services such as education or healthcare. Early marriage is also an important issue in these traditional communities.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT Process started with the signature of the letter of Agreement on 17 November 2016.
In March 2017, the Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created.
On 22 May 2017, through a Local Council Decision, the Local Action Plan to improve Roma population condition was adopted.
As of June 2022, ROMACT process is reinforced in Bolintin Vale and a new agreement was signed by the Mayor.
In December 2022, the Local Action Plan for Roma inclusion was renewed by the Local Council.
The Municipality benefited from ROMACT expertise to apply for the following projects :
The expertise provided by ROMACT for municipalities involves training and guidance on preparing project proposals and implementing inclusive policies aimed at improving the living conditions and social integration of vulnerable populations, including the Roma.
* Reducing the number of marginalized communities (in which Roma minority population counts at least 10% of the total population) at risk of poverty and social exclusion by implementing integrated measures - Funded by the Human Capacity Operational Program Axis 4.1.
Beneficiaries : 550
Budget : 1 628 431€
Status : approved
* Cross-border partnership for improving decision-making system - Funded by the Cross-Border Cooperation Operational Program.
Budget : 299 325€
Status : approved
* Improving the educational structure, rehabilitation, extension, endowment Bolintin Vale n1 Kindergarten - Funded by the Regional Operational Program Axis 10.
Budget : 972 911€
Status : approved
* Development of prevention and warning system regarding flooding in cross-border area Romania-Bulgaria - Funded by the INTERREG V-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme.
Budget : 491 105€
Status : approved
* Rehabilitation of the county road to Malu Spart (11 km) - Funded by the National Program for Local Development.
Budget : 3 023 571€
Status : approved
* Educational Center - Bolintin Vale - technical documentation,"Access to financing", "Local development, poverty reduction and enhancing Roma inclusion" - Financed by the European Accessibility Act.
Status : rejected
Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :
Community Action Groups:
* Coaching on EU/ government funding ;
* Coaching for setting up an NGO ;
* Training on community development and civic participation.
Local Authorities :
* Public procurement expert ;
* Project Manager ;
* EU funds Accessing expert ;
* Legal coaching on "School after school" educational program ;
* Legal coaching for POCU 5.1 and identifying alternative financing source for restoring a historical building into a multicultural center ;
* Coaching on EU/ government funding ;
* Coaching for setting up an NGO ;
* Training on community development and civic participation.
The following measures to solve problems in Roma community were taken:
* Second chance program
* School after school
* Paving of 2 streets
* Roma International Day event
* Purchase of school furniture for kindergarten
* Current repairs Secondary School No. 1
* Provision of emergency aid for families in special situations
* Provision of heating aid for Roma people and families
Activities implemented with OPHC 4.1 funding:
* Rehabilitation of a local for education and extra-school activities
* Support for identifying beneficiaries for qualification and retraining courses
* Support for identifying and occupying a job by providing individual and motivational information and counseling services
* Identification of potential beneficiaries and support for business development
* Improving living conditions
* Realization of the functional integrated Community center created in the marginalized area Palanca
* Legal assistance activities for regulatory acts