Copsa Mica
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Copsa Mica is a town in Sibiu County. It is one of the most polluted towns in Europe. 40% of the population is considered at poverty risk.
The Roma population is officially 12%. Unofficially, it is considered that approximately 1 500 Roma are living in Copsa Mica.
Roma communities are located in Târnăvioara (60 families of Caldarari Roma), P blocks ( 400 inhabitants) and an unnamed area without asphalted streets, water or electricity.
The great economic vulnerability of the Roma in this area is caused by the low level of school and vocational training, the precarious position on the labor market and the large number of people who make up households with very low incomes and insecurity. A small part of them work in agriculture.
According to the evaluation of the city hall, the major problems of the inhabitants in the area are: lack of property deeds for houses built without legal forms, lack of identity documents, high dropout rate among children, lack of individual connection to electricity and water.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT started in March 2020 with the signature of the Letter of agreement.
The Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created following Mayor's approval in January 2022.
The Joint Action Plan for Roma Inclusion was adopted by the Local Council in February 2022.
The Municipality benefited of ROMACT expertise 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.
* Development Center - Maria (CDM), FRDS, Enhancing Roma Inclusion and Empowerment - Funded by EEA Grants (FRDS).
Beneficiaries : 520
Budget: 458 000€
Status: approved
* DICIMUS - Inclusive and innovative educational - Funded by Interreg VI-B Danube.
Budget : 909 279€
Status : rejected
* Establishment of Maria day center - Funded by the PNRR.
Budget : 383 585,82€
Status : rejected
Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :
Community Action Groups:
* Accessing available funds on the project market
* Project management
Local Authorities :
* Local development strategies
* ROMACT small grant application & implementation
* Using ROMACT mini grants to fight against Covid19 pandemic
ROMACT Small Grants Scheme :
ROMACT offers small grants scheme to support the efforts of the municipalities and Community Action Groups to respond together to the needs of the most vulnerable and to multiply the good practices across ROMACT municipalities.
Under the scheme of small grants, the following projects were supported by ROMACT between May 2020 - January 2022:
Health and Hygiene in the Roma Communities - Copsa Mica Municipality
ROMACT supported the municipality with 4285 € reaching 300 families during the first peak of pandemic with the project of “Health and Hygiene in the Roma Communities”. The project covered information campaign on COVID19 and provided masks, disinfectant products, informative flyers for the vulnerable families in the community. Telephone consultancy and specialized assistance were also offered to people who are at high risk of health due to COVID19.
Access to the Roma Community – Municipality of Copsa Mica
ROMACT supported the municipality with 4991 € for building sidewalks and the restoration of the road in the Roma neighbourhood of Tarnavioara of Copsa Mica. The unpaved roads and lack of sidewalks made it difficult to access school which increased school absenteesim among children. The project improved the living conditions of the community and enabled access to school and other public service locations.
Media coverage :
- Trotuare și podețe de acces în Târnăvioara, cu fonduri europene - Sidewalks and access bridges in Târnăvioara, with European funds
- Proiect european pentru romii din cartierul copșean Târnăvioara - European project for the Roma from the Copșean district of Târnăvioara